Mac Attack: Delicious Macarons from Petites Bouchees
Friday, January 30, 2009 
Over the past month or so, we’ve heard from a few reliable sources that they expect a movement toward small-scale desserts: an amuse-bouche at the end of the meal, just a few bites of sweetness. This appeals to us in many ways, but mostly because of the serious cuteness quotient. It’s impossible not to fall in love with little dishes bearing the little treats like petits fours, macarons, mini cupcakes or lilliputian cheesecakes.
So when we were recently asked by Veronica at Petites Bouchées, a Richmond, VA-based custom and mail order bakery specializing in adorable macarons, financiers, sables (and even the odd cupcake!), if we’d like to try a sample of some of her shippable macarons, we bravely accepted. After all, small and delicate desserts are the trend and we’re nothing if not cutting edge.
So how awesome is Petites Bouchées? Well, pretty awesome. The macarons arrived via express mail a few days later, with amazingly not a single cracked cookie shell. These cookies are almost—almost—too pretty to eat, comprised perfectly formed cookie-burgers (some with delicate gold coloring on top--very sophisticated), lined up in dainty little rows. But to not eat these macarons would be a travesty. Veronica, who has studied with Pierre ("Picasso of Pastry") Herme, knows what she’s doing: the cookie part of each macaron is slightly crisp on the outside, but soft inside, giving way to luxurious, decadent fillings.
We’re still tasting our way through the box, but we’ve had enough to know that if desserts like these are the next big wave, we’re happy to go along for the ride.
Reader Comments (28)
Holy crap, those look delicious.
My problem is I want lots of the cuteness. Sigh.
Boule in West Hollywood sells an amazing assortment of macarons. You can also special order them from Cafe du Village on Larchmont Boulevard. They're on my list of Desserts to Master, and I've been counting the days until I can finally make them.
Yummmmmm! When I was in Brooklyn, someone was selling something like this at the Brooklyn Flea - they were pricey but very good. Another cookie like this to try is the Sarah Bernhart (a chewy almond macaroon dipped in creamy melted chocolate). They are "crack" to any sugar junkie!!! I first had them from a little bakery in Greenwich, Connecticut. They sold them by the pound - and I enjoyed every pound I ate and gained!
The Sarah Bernhardt cookies also have a rich truffle filling - I forgot to mention that...
those are adorable!
i've definitely thought about starting a mini-cupcake business bc mini desserts are seriously taking off!
I loove these, if only I could figure out how to make them this beautiful! I would've loved to get these in the mail...and eat the entire box :).
I love the idea - it makes the whole meal totally cohesive - you start with amuse bouche and end with petites bouchees.
Every time I see macarons I tell myself I'm going to try them and then I chicken out...how silly is that?
Yummmm! Mini-desserts are so adorable, and just the right about of sweetness.
These look just like the ones in the Martha Stewart Magazine! I've been dying to experiment with them! YUMMY!
These look just like the ones in the Martha Stewart Magazine! I've been dying to experiment with them! YUMMY!
You lucky, lucky Cakespy! I have been fortunate to sample Veronica's creations and they are indeed heavenly, and incredibly cute, too!
Those amuse bouches (love the word) look precious. I think small scale desserts are certainly going to be the order of the day (if they aren't already). These are PRETYY Jessie!
dang, these are darling and dangerously delicious-looking!! i have yet to master the macaron, that precariously achieved flat macaron top, like a sourdough burger bun! i gotta practice. xo
ps jessie i always think they look like little burgers too!
I love these! They look so pretty. I was actually thinking of picking up some macarons on the way to work. Yummy :)
Wow, they look so good... I love macarons
I have been dying to try one of these cookies for so long. There is finally a dessert place in San Diego that sells them!
I have admired the beauty of these cookies for quite a while. There's a flickr group dedicated just to Macarons. You should definitely check it out! http://www.flickr.com/groups/21575583@N00/
Enjoy!
Oh, those desserts are so cute! Love it!
They look amazing - I wish someone made them here in Adelaide. I might have to find a recipe and make some myself.
Oh my those look delicious!!
Rosie x
Can't wait to try. They are so cute.
Thanks Jessie for being a brave taste tester! I've been working on cupcakes recently - wish there was a good way to ship them!
Yeah, they're pretty awesome.
Just found your blog and it is so adorable! I plan to come back often :)
Thanks for making me crave macarrons, you evil you!