Macaron vs. Macaroon: Let’s Settle This Sweet Debate Once and for All

Spoiler alert: They’re not the same thing. We repeat: macarons and macaroons are not interchangeable. At Lady Yum, we are often asked to clear up this common case of dessert mistaken identity. So let’s break it down—with plenty of sugar, sass, and a touch of confectionary clarity.

First Things First: What is a Macaron?

Ah, the macaron (pronounced mack-ah-ROHN). Elegant. Airy. French. And frankly, fabulous.

At Lady Yum, our signature French macarons are made with finely ground almond flour, egg whites, and sugar—whipped into a glossy meringue, folded with flair, and baked into delicate shells that sandwich rich, creamy fillings. Flavors? We’ve got everything from Salted Caramel to Unicorn, and yes, we make them look as magical as they sound.

A macaron is crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, and absolutely unapologetic about being extra. They're the fashion-forward runway model of the dessert world—tiny, colorful, and always dressed to impress.

And What About Macaroons?

Now meet the macaroon (pronounced mack-ah-ROON). They may sound similar, but the resemblance ends there.

Macaroons are chewy coconut-based confections that look more like a haystack than a couture cookie. No almond flour. No rainbow lineup. Just shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and maybe a drizzle of chocolate if they’re feeling fancy. Think cozy grandma vibes, not Parisian patisserie.

Tasty? Totally. But definitely not the same as a Lady Yum Macaron.

Why It Matters (Especially If You’re Searching Online)

We get it—autocorrect is not your friend when you’re trying to Google “macaron near me” and end up deep in coconut territory. So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for colorful, flavorful French sandwich cookies, search for macarons. If you’re craving coconut confections, go ahead and type in macaroons.

Better yet, just type Lady Yum macarons and let the deliciousness find you.

Come Taste the Difference at Lady Yum

Whether you're team “macaron” or just realized you've been spelling it wrong for years (we still love you), come visit Lady Yum at one of our six Seattle-area locations. We’ll show you what a real macaron tastes like—delicate, decadent, and a little bit magical.

Need a quick fix? Order online and have your macaron gift box shipped nationwide!