I came across these macarons in the frozen dessert section at my local Trader Joe’s (about a month and a half ago?). “Imported from France” the handmade sign bragged. “Melts in your mouth.” For the bargain price of $2.99, why wouldn’t I want something French melting in my mouth?
T R A D E R J O E’ S P A R I S I A N M A C A R O N S
Trader Joe’s currently only carries this box featuring two types of macarons: vanilla and chocolate. Perhaps they have more flavors up their sleeves and are waiting to see if this item is a quick seller? In any case, check out these close-ups of the vanilla.
Front:
Side:
Notice the little “foot?” Very nice.
Interior:
The vanilla macarons taste pretty fantastic in all consideration. They come frozen and are supposed to remain stored in the freezer. However, like most properly-made macaron wafers, they freeze well and thaw completely in a matter of a minute. The vanilla carries a noticeable trace of some type of liquor – maybe bourbon. I think this may be what keeps it from freezing completely. The wafer remains tender, not tacky. The butter cream remains delightfully smooth.
Chocolate macaron, front:
Looks pretty good yeah? Keep going.
Back:
Macaron car crash! Completely destroyed in the back. And not just this one, every single chocolate one in the box. And not just this box, every single chocolate one in the several boxes I bought (at two different locations!) within one month’s time.
Back of another:
Crash! Boom! BaM!
Slight side view:
Aside from nearly every chocolate macaron being damaged, they are also very hard and sticky to eat (think stale Tootsie Roll texture). So after maybe my fourth box, I figure out the remedy: Leave the chocolate ones out to thaw considerably longer than the vanilla. If the vanilla takes about two minutes to come to consistency, the chocolate will take at least a half hour – if not more. I’d leave them out for 45 minutes before eating. On a positive note, the chocolate macarons in the last box or two that I buy are much more intact than the first several rounds. Hopefully Trader Joe’s has found some sort of packaging solution.
The big difference in thaw time is annoying, but you can always keep the vanillas in the fridge while the chocolates finish on the counter. Considering how chic (read: expensive) these cookies are, I would definitely buy the pre-made Trader Joe’s brand for parties and teas you host at home. If the chocolate ones continue to arrive increasingly intact, the value just can’t be beat.
*Click here to find the Trader Joe’s location nearest you. Consider calling first to see if they carry this product.
