This treat comes in two parts: sorbet and macarons. The sorbet is made from a fruit puree--in this case, raspberries mixed with sugar syrup--and is frozen before being served. The macarons are much more complicated (and much more French). These meringue cookies are made out of egg whites, sugar, almond powder and the desired flavoring and are whipped into a cream, which is then forced through a piping bag to make small flat circles. After baking, half of the circles are covered with a small layer of flavored cream, and another circle is placed on top of to make a sandwich. Macarons are served cool or at room temperature.
Although sorbet is associated with Italy (sorbetto), macarons are heavily associated to France. These cookies were invented in Italy, but became known as a French treat when the French queen Catherine de' Medici ordered her Italian chef to make them for her on the occasion of her marriage to King Henry II in 1533. Because of this fact, macarons have become a vital part of French culture and can, as a result, be found all across France. In Paris especially, upscale bakeries like Pierre Herme can be found serving macarons by the Seine, in the Galeries Lafayette, and on the Champs-Elysees.
