If you've ever wondered why premium macarons cost more than the mass-produced versions you might find in a grocery store freezer aisle, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer comes down to three things: ingredients, craftsmanship, and time.
At Jenna Rae Cakes, our macarons are made with care from start to finish, using quality ingredients and a production process that spans nearly an entire day. While mass-produced macarons are designed for efficiency, premium macarons are designed for flavour, texture, and experience. Here's what goes into every bite.
What Makes Macarons Different From Other Cookies?
Macarons aren't your average cookie.These delicate sandwich cookies are made from almond flour, egg whites, and sugar, then filled with flavoured buttercream, ganache, caramel, fruit fillings, and more. While the ingredient list sounds simple, macarons are known throughout the baking world as one of the most technically challenging pastries to master.
A perfect macaron should have:
- A smooth shell
- Delicate "feet" around the bottom edige
- A slight crispness on the outside
- A soft, chewy centre
- A balanced filling-to-shell ratio
Achieving that consistency day after day requires skill, precision, and plenty of patience.
Premium Ingredients Make a Difference
One of the biggest factors affecting the price of macarons is the ingredients themselves. Unlike traditional cookies made with wheat flour, macarons rely on almond flour, which is significantly more expensive. High-quality chocolate, fresh fruit for fillings, made from scratch caramel, premium extracts, and specialty flavourings also contribute to the overall cost.
At Jenna Rae Cakes, our fillings vary by flavour, but they're always built around buttercream. Over the years, we've found that buttercream provides the perfect balance of flavour while helping maintain the integrity of the shell. Many flavours also include additions like ganache, caramel, or fruit purées, surrounded by a ring of buttercream to create the perfect bite every time.
Making Macarons Is a Full-Day Process
One of the biggest misconceptions about macarons is that they're quick to make. In reality, producing macarons is an all-day effort involving multiple teams across multiple shifts.
Our macaron production day begins at 5:00 a.m. when our baking team starts preparing batter and baking shells. Throughout the day, trays are carefully monitored, cooled, and organized before moving on to the filling stage. By the time our closing team finishes hand-filling macarons and storing them properly for freshness, it's often close to 10:00 p.m.
From start to finish, our macarons pass through many skilled hands before they ever make their way into a gift box or bakery display case.
Meet Gerard: Our Trusty Macaron Piping Machine
One question we often get is whether our macarons are piped entirely by hand. The answer is both yes and no. Our shells are piped using our beloved macaron piping machine, Gerard.
After years of hand-piping and seeing the strain it placed on our team members' wrists, hands, and shoulders, we invested in equipment that would help protect our bakers while maintaining consistency and quality. Gerard helps us pipe perfectly uniform shells while being much gentler on our team's bodies.
The fillings, however, are still piped and assembled by hand by our bakery team, ensuring each macaron receives the attention it deserves.
Small Details Matter
When you look at a premium macaron, you're seeing the result of hundreds of tiny decisions. The mixing time must be precise. The shells must rest for the correct amount of time before baking to ensure they don’t crack and form those iconic “feet”. Temperatures need to be monitored closely. Fillings need to be consistent from batch to batch. Even weather and humidity can affect the final product!
Mass-produced macarons are designed to be manufactured at scale with long shelf lives. Artisan macarons prioritize flavour, texture, freshness, and appearance, and that's a difference you can taste.
Why Don't Mass-Produced Macarons Taste the Same?
Large-scale manufacturers focus on efficiency and consistency across thousands of units.
Artisan bakeries focus on quality.
Because we produce smaller batches, we're able to create seasonal flavours, limited-edition collections, and unique flavour combinations that simply aren't practical at a mass-production level. At Jenna Rae Cakes, you'll always find our six signature macaron flavours available, alongside four to six seasonal and limited-edition flavours rotating throughout the year. From nostalgic favourites to holiday-inspired creations, there's always something new to discover.
Many of Our Macarons Are Gluten-Free
Another thing that surprises many customers is that most of our macaron flavours are naturally gluten-free. Because traditional macaron shells are made with almond flour rather than wheat flour, many of our flavours can be enjoyed by those looking for gluten-free dessert options.
Please note that not every flavour is gluten-free, and all products are made in a kitchen that handles gluten-containing ingredients. If you have dietary concerns, our team is always happy to help you choose the best option.
Are Premium Macarons Worth It?
We may be a little biased, but absolutely.
Premium macarons aren't simply cookies— they're handcrafted pastries that combine artistry, technique, quality ingredients, and countless hours of work into a single bite-sized dessert. When you purchase premium macarons, you're supporting skilled bakers, quality ingredients, and a process that prioritizes flavour over shortcuts. We think that's pretty sweet.
Shop Jenna Rae Cakes Macarons
Whether you're picking up a variety for yourself, celebrating a special occasion, or searching for the perfect gift, our macarons are available year-round both online and in-store. With six classic flavours and a rotating selection of seasonal favourites, there's always a reason to come back for another box.
Visit Our Winnipeg Locations
You can find Jenna Rae Cakes macarons at all of our Winnipeg locations:
We'd love to help you discover your next favourite flavour.
Looking for Wholesale Macarons?
Macarons aren't just for bakery counters! They make a perfect addition to cafés, gift shops, hotels, tea rooms, and specialty retailers looking to offer premium macarons to their customers. Our wholesale macarons are shipped frozen and designed to maintain the same quality, flavour, and presentation that customers have come to expect from Jenna Rae Cakes.
If you're interested in carrying Jenna Rae Cakes macarons, we'd love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are macarons more expensive than regular cookies?
Macarons require specialty ingredients such as almond flour, a labour-intensive production process, and significant technical skill to create consistently.
Why is almond flour more expensive?
Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds and costs significantly more than traditional wheat flour, making it one of the biggest ingredient costs in macarons.
How long does it take to make macarons?
At Jenna Rae Cakes, macaron production spans multiple shifts throughout the day, beginning at 5:00 a.m. and continuing into the evening as macarons are filled, assembled, and stored.
What is the difference between premium and mass-produced macarons?
Premium macarons focus on quality ingredients, handcrafted production, freshness, and flavour. Mass-produced macarons are designed for efficiency, long shelf life, and large-scale manufacturing.
Are Jenna Rae Cakes macarons gluten-free?
Many of our macaron flavours are gluten-free, though not all. All products are made in a facility that handles gluten-containing ingredients.
How many macaron flavours does Jenna Rae Cakes offer?
We offer six classic flavours year-round, plus rotating seasonal and limited-edition flavours throughout the year.
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