Help me settle this debate

[Lyncha]

I went to Chef Mickeys in April and they offered various flavored macaroons at the desert bar. So when we went back last week I made sure I saved plenty of room after dinner for macaroons. I must've eaten at least 30 macaroons, not kidding, shamefully. We've had macaroons in Epcot before and I remember paying an arm and a leg for a pack of 6 macaroons so I definitely feel like I got my money's worth at Chef Mickeys. My wife says the macaroons in the French pavilion at Epcot are bigger. Can anyone tell me if they are bigger? I think I remember them being the same size. Thanks in advance.

 

[FigmentFinder]

All the desserts at Chef Mickeys are on the small side. (so you can sample more) The macaroons in France are most likely larger. I ate a shameful amount of those and the tiny eclairs last year too.

 

[goofy4prez]

I can't answer whether they are bigger or the same size with certainty (From memory I think CM are smaller), but I can say the ones at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie (French Pavilion) are way, way, way better than the ones at Chef Mickey... Or at least to me they sure were much better.

 

[wilkeliza]

Not sure but I usually fine the Disney ones to be awful. The one I tried at Writers shop in DHS was too hard. I am not sure if France has the big ones or has the proper size macaroon.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Are you asking about macaroons or macarons? The macarons in France at EPCOT I find to be the usual size I've found elsewhere. Since the desserts at Chef Mickey's and other buffets tend to be miniature I wouldn't be surprised if they are smaller than the ones found at EPCOT.

 

[kbmartin]

I love to bake, and it kind of drives me nuts when people use the wrong name. Do you mean a coconut cookie (macaroon) or the French delicate cookie (macaron)?

 

[butiflfeet]

I agree with the PP's, the macarons you'd find at a buffet are likely smaller and probably lesser quality. The ones at Les Halles in the France pavilion are probably a bit bigger. The ones at the Flower and Garden Festival booth in France are massive and delicious. L'Artisan des Glaces in France usually has a macaron ice cream sandwich too that's pretty big.

 

[FelisLachesis]

View attachment 252049

I love to bake, and it kind of drives me nuts when people use the wrong name. Do you mean a coconut cookie (macaroon) or the French delicate cookie (macaron)?

I was watching the end of Master Chef Junior a couple months ago, and Christina Tosi kept calling the ones in the right "macaroons." I kept screaming at the TV "you're a pastry chef! You, of all people, should know better!" (With more Gordon Ramsay sprinkled in there). I later wondered if the producer made her use the wrong word, or if she was messing up, or if she was edited post-production.

 

[wilkeliza]

I agree with the PP's, the macarons you'd find at a buffet are likely smaller and probably lesser quality. The ones at Les Halles in the France pavilion are probably a bit bigger. The ones at the Flower and Garden Festival booth in France are massive and delicious. L'Artisan des Glaces in France usually has a macaron ice cream sandwich too that's pretty big.

I was watching the end of Master Chef Junior a couple months ago, and Christina Tosi kept calling the ones in the right "macaroons." I kept screaming at the TV "you're a pastry chef! You, of all people, should know better!" (With more Gordon Ramsay sprinkled in there). I later wondered if the producer made her use the wrong word, or if she was messing up, or if she was edited post-production.

Eh it really isn't that big of a deal. I've only heard them said exactly the same way unless someone is trying really hard to show they know the word or is asked specifically. Just asked my fiance and he said unless it is passover if someone offers him a macaroon he expects it to be a French macaron even though he knows it is being said wrong. He knows the difference and doesn't even use them properly.

 

[adelaster]

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie certainly has the higher rated Macarons, but as far as size- it appears to vary based on type. I support your wife’s call.

Here are Macarons served at Chef Mickey’s in the last year:



& here is Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie:



Given that the hands and containers are the only reference point it's not scientific, but it's clear the latter has the edge.

Hope that settles it for you!

 

[Figmentmommy]

Eh it really isn't that big of a deal. I've only heard them said exactly the same way unless someone is trying really hard to show they know the word or is asked specifically. Just asked my fiance and he said unless it is passover if someone offers him a macaroon he expects it to be a French macaron even though he knows it is being said wrong. He knows the difference and doesn't even use them properly.

But they are not the same thing and it is not the same word. When someone says to me macaroon I think of the coconut cookie in a pointed mound shape. I bake these myself. When someone says to me macaron I think of the French style delicate cookie with a variety of fillings. These I prefer to enjoy when baked by someone else. The two cookies are very different.

 

[bumbershoot]

I had literally never heard of a macaron until a couple years ago.

I would give my left kidney for a lifetime supply of perfect macaroons.

Macarons look vile to me, and I'm not sure I ever want to chance trying one.

So if someone offered me a "macaroon" because they are being sloppy with word usage, it would make a big difference to me!

 

[Figmentmommy]

I had literally never heard of a macaron until a couple years ago.

I would give my left kidney for a lifetime supply of perfect macaroons.

Macarons look vile to me, and I'm not sure I ever want to chance trying one.

So if someone offered me a "macaroon" because they are being sloppy with word usage, it would make a big difference to me!

I am a huge fan of both cookies. The macaron is sweet and light. Give it a try sometime. You might be pleasantly surprised - and have one more treat to eat at Disney - as if there's not enough!

 

[adelaster]

Where I live people pronounce it with the "oo" sound, & I'd wager that's most of the US. Sorry it bothers you so much. I just looked at the yelp page for our most popular macaron shop & most reviewers spell it with the double "oo" as well. Obviously some spell it correctly, but most of the shop's offerings are French desserts that the average American has never eaten much less had to spell or pronounce. I'm with @wilkeliza, it doesn't bother me, and as long as the meaning is clear it is a minimal inconvenience. I couldn't find anywhere confirming that Chef Mickey's sell the coconut cookie macaroons, but I did find this from 2013:


It appears they didn't correct themselves until 2016:


Poor OP, the threads always take a dark turn.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Macarons (which my IPhone wants to auto correct into macaroons) are a meringue type cookie. Sometimes, they are filled with buttercream; other times, with preserves. They are traditionally about the size of a double stuffed Oreo. They come in lots of different varieties, usually ice cream-type flavors like pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, chocolate chip, mocha, etc.

Macaroons are made mainly from coconut. They may be dipped in chocolate or topped with glacé cherries, but you can't get away from the coconut in a macaroon. If you don't like it, this is not the treat for you.

They are both delicious IMO. It's great that Chef Mickey's is serving macarons. Last I ate there, I was bitterly disappointed in their desserts. They used to be spectacular in the 1990s.

 

[butiflfeet]

I can't stand coconut so if I asked for a macaron and someone gave me a macaroon I'd be less than pleased. I don't understand why you would ask for a macaroon and expect to get a macaron.

 

[Kjbbach1]

I have no idea what's bigger, but this post is really making me want to eat Chef Mickey's next trip....so thank you I'll also take either a Macaroon or a Macaron. They both look great in the pics.