- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- BakingDessertSweet Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 31
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥥
National Macaroon Day celebrates the delightful, coconut-rich cookie every May 31. This American holiday honors the distinct confection, often distinguished from its French cousin, the macaron. Gather your ingredients, bake a batch, or visit your favorite bakery to indulge in these sweet, chewy treats.
Want to sponsor National Macaroon Day? Learn how
National Macaroon Day timeline
Macaroons are first made by Italian monks — the name originates from the Italian word ‘maccarone,’ meaning ‘paste.’
Esther Levy publishes “The First Jewish-American Cookbook” featuring a recipe for macaroons.
Macaroons are originally served as a single cookie.
The world’s biggest pyramid made from macaroons is created using 8,540 macaroons.
National Macaroon Day FAQs
When is National Macaroon Day?
In 2027, National Macaroon Day is observed on Monday, May 31, kicking off the work week with a sweet and chewy treat to enjoy.
How popular are macaroons in the U.S.?
The enduring appeal of macaroons in the U.S. is evident in their consistent presence during holidays and special occasions, with millions enjoying their unique chewiness and sweet coconut flavor.
What are the main ingredients in a macaroon?
The core ingredients for macaroons remain consistent: coconut, egg whites, and sugar (often from sweetened condensed milk). Some variations might include chocolate, nuts, or flavorings, but the coconut base is key.
What is the difference between a macaron and a macaroon?
The primary distinction lies in their main ingredient: macaroons use coconut, while macarons use almond flour. This difference results in vastly different textures and appearances, with macaroons being rustic and chewy, and macarons being refined and crisp with a soft interior.
National Macaroon Day Activities
Make macaroons
Whether you make them from scratch or use the shortcut of using sweetened condensed milk, it’s a simple recipe to make and you can have homemade macaroons ready to eat from scratch in less than an hour. If you are making them from scratch, be sure to have a kitchen mixer or hand mixer with a balloon whisk attachment to make the egg whites impossibly light and fluffy. The better you do at this step, the better the overall cookie will taste. Be warned: don’t make these when you are home alone or you may not be able to stop yourself from eating every last one.
Buy macaroons
Don’t be daunted by the fact that you don’t know how to separate your egg whites from your egg yolks. Or maybe you only use your oven to store shoes, because you never cook. Don’t be deterred from celebrating National Macaroon Day! Although most commonly seen in stores around spring, you can either buy them at your local grocery or order them online. There are a number of companies that make them in a range of prices and a variety of flavors!
Celebrate Mrs. Levy’s contribution
While we have Esther Levy to thank for getting coconut macaroons the attention they deserve, we can thank her too for informing people about Jewish cooking in the U.S. Make your family a whole Jewish feast. Be warned: Jewish food is comfort food at its best and you may have difficulty getting any guests to leave. Start with some chicken soup with matzo balls, braise a beautiful brisket complete with potatoes, carrots, and gravy, and end this hearty repast with some beautiful and traditional coconut macaroons.
Why We Love National Macaroon Day
They are delicious
How to describe a coconut macaroon? They have great texture from the shredded coconut. They are sweet, and when the sugar in the cookie around the edges is cooked just right, it caramelizes. They are both chewy and soft, like a pastry, but your eyes tell you that clearly, based on size and portability, it must be a cookie! Best of all they are insanely easy to make. You can use shredded coconut, vanilla extract, egg whites, and sugar — or you can cheat and use just sweetened condensed milk and shredded coconut.
Macaroons are gluten-free
Long before gluten was even recognized, macaroons were being made by Jewish housewives for their Passover celebrations. The lack of any kind of leavening agent meant it satisfied the dietary laws that rule Passover. It was just a happy accident that they are so tasty as well. So if you or a friend are doing a gluten-free diet or someone is allergic to gluten, you can look like a hero by serving macaroons. Once you taste them, you’ll know it’s not a sacrifice, but you don’t have to share that little fact.
Dress them up or dress them down
Macaroons have grown in versatility over the years. There’s the child-friendly chocolate chip macaroon or the elegant-enough-for-a-tea-party chocolate-dipped macaroon. There are even red velvet macaroons! You can bring a whole plate when you receive an invitation to an elegant and intimate dinner or you can whip up a batch and keep it around for the kids to snack on. They are the perfect anytime, anywhere cookie.
