The Macaron: A brief introduction

I was first introduced to the macaron via various blogs.  I drooled over the images at first sight.  I wondered about the texture and flavor and, as a simple dessert lover, wondered if my own personal food intuition matched the fantasy I was beginning to develop about the taste of these treats.

I was also curious about the apparent and distinct difference between this treat and the macaroon, a coconut cookie far more familiar to me. After some light google research, I see that my own confusion is not that uncommon.  While sharing the same name origin, the macaron and macaroon are completely different sticky treats. Filled with cream and typically offered in various pastel shades and in flavors ranging from rose or vanilla to chocolate or pistachio, the popularity of the macaron, whose batter typically consists of a mix of sugar, egg whites and crushed almonds, is vast.

Vanilla and almond macaron from Wurzelsepp, Nürnberg

And yes, it tastes as delectable- crisp on the outside, fluffy and creamy on the inside- as I imagined.

Bavarian Snowballs

Heading up the hill to Neuschwanstein Castle, the sight and smell of these Bavarian Snowballs caught my senses.  I was hungry but decided to save the sweet delight for the descent.  They are basically light donut holes smothered in a powdered sugar that coated my outfit more than it did my tongue.  

The donuts were just a prelude to experiencing the Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein.  Upon being handed the Bavarian Snowball treat I realized that a) they looked and smelled delicious and b) I was very hungry and needed a proper meal.

So in we went.  I passed on the overpriced and slim choice of offerings at the cafe in the Castle, but was pleasantly surprised by the menu at this place.  At the end of the day I just had some fried chicken and pommes frites with mayonnaise.  The food was more than decent, especially for the price, and it was a lovely atmosphere.

Everything, everywhere has me thinking of summer and I can only dream about how lovely this restaurant is in the summertime, balconies overlooking the sprawling forest filled with travellers from all over the country and globe. 

It certainly doesn't look like it, but the restaurant was buzzing a little bit by the time we left (photo taken at the beginning of the meal).  I liked the food, and dug the atmosphere.

Bavarian snowballs led us here.