‘Fills me with happiness’: Macarons bring sweet success to Ogden cookie maker
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- A variety of cookies are displayed inside Criss Cross Macarons in Ogden.
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- Criss Cross Macarons opened at 2556 Washington Blvd. in Ogden in February 2023.
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- Owner Crisi Stacey of Criss Cross Macarons said the petite cookies can be made into nearly any size and shape, such as these St. Patrick’s Day-inspired treats.
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- Criss Cross Macarons opened at 2556 Washington Blvd. in Ogden in February 2023.
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- A variety of cookies are displayed inside Criss Cross Macarons in Ogden.
OGDEN — Three years ago, Amber Broderick was at a friend’s house for dinner when she was offered a macaron cookie.
“I had never had one, but when they gave one to me, I fell in love with them,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I hadn’t tried them before that night. I had really been missing out.”
Since that time, Broderick said she’s been looking for a local place that sells a good macaron.
“They’re not really easy to find,” she said, “But one day I was on Instagram and a mutual friend of mine and Crisi’s posted there was a new macaron shop in Ogden. I flipped out.”
Broderick discovered Crisi Stacey and her husband, Adam, had just opened up Criss Cross Macarons in Ogden. She made no hesitation to visit.
“The macaron is a very temperamental cookie and not easy to make but I think hers are excellent,” Broderick said. “I love the chocolate sesame. The strawberry is also amazing.”
Stacey said she started Criss Cross Macarons because she discovered other people love her macarons as much as she enjoyed making them.
“I don’t remember the first time I tried a macaron, but I remember the first time I baked them,” Stacey said. “I have always baked for fun and I was good at it, but when I volunteered to make some for a baby shower, I failed over and over again.”
Over time, Stacey said, her skills got better and better and she became focused on getting them right and was very proud of her success. Then she decided it might be time to take the next step.
“I was studying psychology at Weber State University and beginning the process of applying for grad school, mid-COVID lockdowns, just as this business prospect was beginning to feel possible,” she said. “After graduating in December of 2021, I put all of my energy into growing my home bakery.”
Stacey said it didn’t take long to realize there was greater potential, so she and her husband searched and found a spot for her store in February and set up shop at 2556 Washington Blvd.
French macarons are small sandwich cookies made of meringue and almonds, Stacey said. They are filled with chocolate, buttercream, fruit filings, custard or anything else she said she can dream up.
“They are flavorful, tender and have a crisp, tender shell,” she said. “They can be made in a variety of shapes, colors and flavors which makes them awesome for special events and custom orders.”
The shells are naturally gluten free, as are many of the menu items, depending on the fillings.
“I have a selection of classic macaron flavors and a wide variety of seasonal flavors. All of our treats and fillings are made from scratch in-house,” Stacey said.
There are 23 main menu macarons that include raspberry rose, lemon, coffee, chocolate, key lime, cookies and cream, chocolate truffle and white chocolate blackberry. The shop also carries meringue pops, chocolate chip cookies, lemon poppyseed biscotti and ube vanilla sugar cookies. There is also a full coffee/espresso bar, serving Wasatch Roasters coffee.
Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Stacey said extended hours will be offered during the summer.
“I’m still amazed by macarons, really,” Stacey said. “They are so beautiful, with cute little flaws, gorgeous colors and impactful flavors. It really fills me with happiness to make and serve them.”
Stay tuned for updates about macaron classes, seasonal menu updates and special limited-time treats. Stacey said she also plans to expand into breakfast pastries and croissants in the near future.
You can find out more at crisscrossmacarons.com.