Treat yourself

Macarons are deceptive little things. They look like crumbly cookie sandwiches, but with one bite, they deflate into pillow-soft happiness. The airy treats are not the same as the familiar and dense coconut-filled macaroons. Instead, these are meringue-based cookies with a luscious, sweet filling.

Up until recently, Sucre in New Orleans was the best place nearby to find the weightless morsels. But when Alexander’s Highland Market opened last year on Highland Road, the impressive specialty grocery store started shipping a variety of Sucre’s macarons to the bakery twice a month.

Pistachio is the most popular flavor, but we also tried the Pecan, flecked with bits of nuts, and the tasty Hazelnut. The mousseline filling—a French-style butter cream—is decadent but not too sweet.

At $2 a macaron, these small cookies are a bit of a splurge, especially if you want to try all of them. But trust us, your day will get much better after you’ve indulged. alexandersmkt.com