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.
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