Etymology From French macaron. Doublet of macaron.
1
A soft biscuit or cookie prepared with almond or coconut dough.
I will take charge of the cake department, including, if I remember rightly, plum and plain, rout cakes, and macaroons, finger biscuits, and cracknels.1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 208:
Like a big wife, at sight of lothed meat, Ready to travail; so I sigh and sweat, To hear this macaroon talk on in vain.1590s, John Donne, Satire IV, "Well; I may now receive, and die"