An In-Depth Look at Macarons in Buffalo NY - Trends, Shops, Tours

The Rise of Macarons in Buffalo

Macarons have become an increasingly popular treat in Buffalo, NY over the past few years. Originally from France, these colorful cookies with creamy fillings have developed a devoted following of foodies and dessert lovers. Several bakeries in Buffalo have started offering macarons on their menus, drawing new customers who previously had to travel to New York City or Toronto to get their macaron fix.

The Unique Appeal of Macarons

What makes macarons stand out from other cookies? It starts with their distinctive appearance. Macarons have a smooth dome shape and a "foot" or ruffled edge on the bottom. They come in a rainbow of colors and are artfully paired with complementary fillings like buttercream, jam, or ganache. When you bite into a macaron, you get an irresistible combination of flavors and textures - the crunchy cookie shell gives way to the smooth, creamy interior.

Beyond aesthetics, many consider macarons a technical achievement. They're notoriously tricky to make, requiring meticulous mixing, piping, and baking techniques. The recipes call for egg whites whipped into a meringue that gives the cookies their characteristic melt-in-your-mouth texture. For bakers, perfecting macaron recipes takes practice but results in a prized skill.

Where to Find Macarons in Buffalo

Several bakeries and patisseries in Buffalo have added macarons to their offerings and developed quite a following. Here are some of the top spots to find quality macarons in various flavors:

• Rachel's Mediterranean Grill - This local favorite restaurant expanded into French pastries like macarons. Their flavors include pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, and seasonal specials.
• Sweetness 7 Cafe - This cozy bakery makes macarons in flavors like earl grey, lemon, and chocolate. They frequently sell out daily.
• Dessert Deli - With a full bakery and cafe, Dessert Deli offers treats like oreo or fruity pebbles macarons. Customers can order them by the dozen.
• Butter Block - This new bakery focuses on high-end French pastries and desserts. Their macarons have creative fillings like blueberry cheesecake and cherry amaretto.

In addition to these bakeries, macarons can sometimes be found at farmers markets, pop-up shops, and special events around Buffalo. Foodies keep an eye out for these limited time appearances to get their hands on the coveted cookies.

Macaron Flavors and Fillings

One of the most fun aspects of macarons is their extensive range of flavors. While chocolate and vanilla are standard, macaron creators continuously experiment with new flavor combinations. Here are some of the unique flavors that have been spotted around Buffalo:

• Pumpkin spice - a fall favorite
• Peppermint - popular for the holidays
• Pistachio - nutty and sweet
• Rosewater - floral and aromatic
• Earl grey - soothing tea flavors
• Passionfruit - tropical and tangy

Fillings are equally diverse, often complementing the cookie flavors. Some delicious examples include raspberry, chocolate ganache, peanut butter buttercream, salted caramel, and lemon curd. There are always new combinations to look forward to.

When and Where to Enjoy Macarons in Buffalo

One of the best things about macarons is that they can be enjoyed year-round for any occasion. Here are some of the top times and places to indulge in macarons around Buffalo:

• Holidays - Macarons make great gifts and decorative touches for celebrations like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter.
• Weddings - They are popular at wedding dessert tables for their beautiful colors and unite stacking.
• Special Events - Many Buffalo food festivals, markets, and pop-up events will have macaron vendors.
• Date Nights - Share a box of macarons for a romantic dessert at a nice restaurant.
• High Tea - Macarons are a staple treat at high tea services around the area.
• Gifts - Boxes of macarons can be found around the holidays for delicious edible gifts.

Macarons have become a trendy food item that makes any experience a bit more special. As their availability continues to grow in Buffalo, there are more opportunities to enjoy their charming appearance and flavors.

Macaron Classes and Events in Buffalo

Beyond just eating macarons, Buffalo residents can now try their hand at making them. From classes to pop-up events, there are more ways to experience the delicate art of macaron creation. Though it takes practice to pipe the perfect macarons, learning the process gives you a deeper appreciation for every bite.

Baking Classes

For those eager to pick up a new baking skill, several places around Buffalo now offer macaron decorating and baking classes. These classes walk through each step under the guidance of an expert. Some places to check for classes include:

• Sweetness 7 Cafe - They host beginner macaron classes periodically that fill up fast.
• Dessert Deli - Their baking classes cover a range of French delicacies including macarons.
• Hotel Henry Culinary Classes - The onsite cooking school sometimes offers a class dedicated to macarons.

Classes generally cost $40-60 per person and run 2-3 hours. The hands-on experience lets you try piping, folding, and filling your own macarons. You often get to take home your results as well. Classes can sell out quickly during peak times of the year, so book ahead if interested.

Pop-Up Events

In Buffalo, creative chefs and bakers are also hosting fun pop-up events centered around macarons. These are limited-time experiences that might include:

• Macaron decorating or tasting bars
• Macaron pairing events with wine, coffee, or tea
• Seasonal macaron flavors released on a set schedule
• Collaborations between bakeries to offer macaron flights

Food lovers enjoy the excitement and energy around these events. Pop-up schedules are usually announced on the hosts' social media pages. They provide a more interactive way to indulge your macaron obsession.

Macaron Tours

For the ultimate macaron experience, Buffalo walking food tours now offer macaron-themed tours a few times a year. These take small groups on a walking route to sample macarons from several bakeries. along with other French pastries. The tours provide a fun way to explore the city while learning about macaron history and culture.

As macarons continue to have their moment in Buffalo, more opportunities pop up for learning about and indulging in these petite French confections. Fans eagerly follow as bakeries push flavor boundaries and make macarons an art form.

Tips for Making Macarons at Home in Buffalo

Once you've tasted the magic of a perfect macaron, you might be inspired to try making them yourself at home. While temperamental, macarons can be mastered with practice using these handy tips:

Use aged egg whites

The most finicky part of macarons is the meringue. Letting egg whites sit for 4-7 days in the fridge allows moisture to evaporate for a more stable whip. This leads to better macaron feet.

Invest in a thermometer

A candy/fry thermometer helps immensely when making macarons. It allows you to bring the sugar syrup to the right temperature before using it to make the meringue.

Measure precisely

Consistency and precision are vital when measuring ingredients for macarons. Invest in a scale to weigh out ingredients down to the gram.

Macaronage is key

Properly folding the batter until it reaches "lava" stage gives macarons their texture. Look for a smooth drippy consistency before piping.

Let them rest

Before baking, let piped macarons rest 1-2 hours for a skin to form. This results in the distinctive "foot" and rounded shape.

Don't rush baking

Low and slow is best - bake macarons around 300F for 17-20 minutes. Rotating pans front to back halfway through prevents uneven baking.

Prepare fillings ahead

Make fillings like ganache or buttercream ahead of assembly so they have time to cool and reach a good consistency for filling.

Watch troubleshooting guides

Check out visual guides online when starting out so you can identify any issues with hollow shells, cracked tops, or no feet.

Don't get discouraged if your first few batches fail - macarons are a science that takes trial and error. With enough practice at home in your Buffalo kitchen, you'll be churning out Instagram-worthy macarons before you know it.

FAQs

Where can I find the best macarons in Buffalo?

Some of the top spots for quality macarons in Buffalo are Sweetness 7 Cafe, Rachel's Mediterranean Grill, Dessert Deli, and Butter Block. Each offers unique flavors and fillings.

What are some popular macaron flavor combinations in Buffalo?

Creative flavors of Buffalo macarons include pumpkin spice, peppermint, pistachio, rosewater, earl grey, passionfruit, and many more. Fillings include ganache, caramel, fruit jams, nut butters, and buttercream.

When do Buffalo bakeries offer macaron classes?

Macaron decorating and baking classes periodically pop up at places like Sweetness 7 Cafe, Dessert Deli, and Hotel Henry. Classes range from $40-60 for 2-3 hours. Spots fill up quickly.

Where can I find macaron pop-up events in Buffalo?

Chefs and bakers in Buffalo host limited-time macaron pop-ups and collaborations. Follow your favorite dessert shops on social media for announcements about tastings, pairings, and seasonal releases.

What tips help make better homemade macarons?

Tips for great homemade macarons include aging egg whites, weighing ingredients precisely, properly macaronage, generous resting time, low slow baking, and preparing fillings ahead of time. Check guides to troubleshoot any issues.