In their new series, Ashley & Jessica looks beyond the reigning indulgence to see what”s next in line for the throne. Cupcakes are dead; long live trendy pastries!
Like them or not, cupcakes are trendy. We know, we know, you’d been making them for your kids long before Sex and the City was even an idea. It’s undeniable though: dedicated shops, vodka, vineyards, wars…the list goes on. What’s an icing disliker to do?! Fret not friend, the sugar revolution is coming. Let us present to you: the cupcake killer. Like a cupcake, it’s cute, yummy, and perfect with tea. It”s just not a cupcake. We’ve noticed them popping up all over town, and soon these up and comers are going to make cupcakes so early 21st century.
Cupcake Killer No. 1: Le macaron
Brought to us by the masters of pastry (the French, of course), macarons are a fancy sandwich cookie. The cookie is meringue-esque, and connoisseurs will tell you the texture is of utmost importance. It should have a smooth, slightly crisp top, with ruffled edges and a barely moist, chewy interior. There is no room for compromise! Without the afore-mentioned cookie your macaron is an imposter at best. However, the filling that comes sandwiched between can be anything your heart desires. Buttercream, ganache and jam tend to be the most common.
Ottawa doesn’t have any shops dedicated solely to macarons (yet), but we aren’t want for options. Here we’ve summarized some places to get your hands on these little jewels. A couple of tips before you head to macaron heaven: 3 is most certainly enough for a serving; keep them in the fridge, but allow them to come to room temperature before engulfing (they can also be frozen to extend their lifespan); because they freeze well, some bakeries may not be selling you fresh macarons, but frequently changing flavours or made-to-order options will help you avoid macaron disappointment.
Ashley’s thoughts:
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Urban Baking Co (www.urbanbakingco.com and Urban Craft) I first spotted Wendy’s macarons at Urban Craft, but didn’t get a chance to taste them. Once I started talking macaron, her name kept coming up, and I knew I had to give them a try. These macarons are absolutely gorgeous, perfectly symmetrical with just the right amount of filling peeking out. Texture-wise they are delightful, the outer shell and chewy layer of the cookies melding perfectly into one another as you bite through. Oh, right, and then there’s the taste. I tried the salted caramel, earl grey cassis and peppermint white chocolate; all were delicious, and delightfully subtle. The peppermint white chocolate cookies were especially pretty, and I appreciated that peppermint was just present, more “tasty” than “toothpaste”.Flavours change seasonally, and are listed on the website. They also offer flavour collections, a selection of 3 different flavours, for those of us who are decisively challenged. Price: Single flavours and collections can be ordered at $10 for a box of 6, $20 for a dozen. Smaller quantities can be picked up at Urban Craft. |
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Geek Sweets (www.geeksweets.net) Everything about Jenny from Geek Sweets is fun: her website, her logo, and her whimisical macaron monikers. The macarons themselves look like they”d fit right in at a birthday party: brightly coloured with ample filling and an especially bubbly shape. That shape translates into a thick, crispy shell and large air pocket before hitting the gooey filling layer. In tasting her macaron (the mighty mint chocolate, crazy cranberry orange, and east meets zest varieties), I was reminded a little of eating candy. These are sweet little cookies, and the target flavours just waltz across your tongue. Certainly they are macarons that don”t take themselves too seriously, and I imagine little ones liking them just as mobile casino much as grown-ups might. The huge list of available flavours is on her website, and each month she adds an additional flavour, or “Mystery Mac.” Price: $20 per dozen, minimum of one dozen per order, one flavour per dozen. These are available only by order. |
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My personal favourite: Macarons et Madeleines (46 Lorne Ave) If you”re going to put the word “macaron” in the name of your bakery, people are going to expect something exceptionally good. Wouldn”t you know it, Stephan”s macaron give exceptional a new meaning. The key to their deliciousness is how everything about them is balanced. The cookie is a delicate balance between the slightly crisp outside and tender, chewy inside. The flavour of the cookie is light, balancing out the more intense layer of decadent filling. Stepping things up a notch, Stephan likes to add little extras to his macarons, such as candied chestnuts, coffee-infused truffles or booze-soaked cherries. Flavours shown are passion fruit, lavender, vanilla, praline, and a special “red & white” macaron (traditional cookie, homemade raspberry jam and the aforementioned truffle) created especially for someone’s wedding. Swoon. Flavours change weekly (usually there are 3 on offer). Best to call ahead to check selection and availability. Price: $1.75 each |
Jessica’s feelings:
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The French Baker (119 Murray St. and 801 Bank St.) Of all places in Ottawa to have perfected the quintessential French cookie, I thought a shop called: “The French Baker” was sure to do it. And the four macarons I tried (chocolate, caramel, pistachio, raspberry) were probably exactly how macarons should be. Your first bite takes you through the outer crust, a light but crunchy kind of meringue. The cookie is light because it’s surrounded by an air pocket right under the outer crust. Next comes a chewier, spongy layer, which surrounds the icing. Macarons have always felt to me like the refined French version of Oreo cookies – you enjoy the outer crust but it’s the icing inside that makes it. The French Baker seems to get this, and the icing was rich and frothy and packed with flavour. Just prepare for a mess when you eat these macarons. I’m a sucker for soft cookies and personally prefer something a bit chewier. The outer crust and air pocket made these delights super crunchy. Price: $2.75 each |
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Art-Is-In Bakery (250 City Centre Avenue) The Art-Is-In macarons stand out for texture and presentation. They await your purchase in the display case already divvied up into delightful little boxes, as if to suggest that they would make the perfect gift for someone. At the time I went, the only flavours available were chocolate, caramel and pistachio. I think stocks were a little low since it was right after the holidays.These macarons were a lot denser than others I’d tried. They were softer and chewier than, for example, The French Baker’s macarons, and I enjoyed being able to get through every layer of the cookie in one clean bite. It made for less of a mess while eating, but I should caution it also meant you were able to eat the cookie much faster… which can be quite dangerous. For me, the chocolate was the winner for flavour, but I’d be keen to try other types. Price: A box of four costs just over $10 |
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My personal favourite: Pretty-Fours (www.pretty-fours.com) Though there is plenty of talent to go around, so far my favourite macarons in Ottawa are at the Pretty-Fours stand in the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne. When warmer weather arrives, I often make a pilgrimage out to the market for these colourful treats. There’s a great selection of flavours, my personal favourite being the lavender apricot. But sadly, I cannot find them anywhere other than the market, and so have to wait for May 1st every year to get them again. This year they’ll be at the Carp, Lansdowne and Kanata markets. |
Where is your favourite place to nom macarons? Let us know in the comments!
