What Dana's Bakery does differently with macarons

Dana's Bakery is a small-batch macaron maker based in Portland, Oregon, that focuses on natural flavors and hand-piped shells. Unlike mass-produced macarons sold in supermarket chains, Dana's makes each batch fresh to order, which means the shells stay crisp on the outside and chewy inside for about five days after baking. The bakery uses real fruit purees, extracts, and spices in their fillings rather than artificial flavoring, and they source their almond flour from a single mill in California to keep the texture consistent.

The bakery operates a small retail location open Wednesday through Saturday and takes custom orders for events through their website. They also ship nationwide, though shipping costs reflect the fragility of the product and the insulation required to keep macarons from cracking or melting in transit.

Key Takeaways

  • Dana's Bakery makes macarons in small batches to order, so flavors change weekly and custom colors or fillings are possible for events.
  • Each macaron is hand-piped and baked in-house, which takes longer than industrial production but produces a different texture and taste.
  • The bakery uses real fruit and spice flavors rather than artificial ones, and sources almond flour from a single supplier to maintain consistency.
  • Macarons from Dana's stay fresh for about five days, so they are best ordered close to when you plan to eat them.

How Dana's sources ingredients and why it matters

Dana's Bakery buys almond flour from King Arthur Baking Company's mill in Vermont, which grinds blanched almonds to a fine, consistent powder. This matters because macaron shells depend on the almond flour being uniform in texture—too coarse and the shells crack, too fine and they spread too much in the oven. The bakery tests each shipment of flour before using it in production.

For fillings, Dana's works with local suppliers when possible. Their raspberry filling comes from Oregon berry farms in summer, and they switch to frozen berries in winter. Their chocolate ganache uses Guittard chocolate, a California maker that sells to professional bakeries. The bakery does not use food coloring in most flavors—instead, they tint shells with powdered fruit or cocoa, which means the color is slightly muted compared to bright commercial macarons.

The hand-piping process and why it affects the final product

Every macaron shell at Dana's is piped by hand using a pastry bag and a small round tip. A baker holds the bag at a 90-degree angle to the baking sheet and squeezes out a small disk, then lifts the bag straight up. This creates the characteristic "feet"—the ruffled base that forms during baking—but it also means each macaron is slightly different in size and shape.

Hand-piping takes about 45 minutes per batch of 60 macarons, compared to 10 minutes for an industrial piping machine. The trade-off is that hand-piped shells tend to have more even browning and a thinner, crisper exterior. After piping, the shells rest for 15 to 20 minutes before baking, which allows the surface to dry slightly and helps the feet form properly.

Flavor rotation and how to find out what is available

Dana's Bakery changes their flavor lineup every week based on what ingredients are in season and what the bakers want to experiment with. In summer, you might find lavender-honey, strawberry-basil, or lemon-blueberry. In winter, the menu shifts to chocolate-orange, cinnamon-cardamom, and pistachio. The bakery posts the current week's flavors on their Instagram account every Monday morning.

If you want a specific flavor that is not on the current menu, you can request it for a custom order if you order at least two weeks in advance. Custom orders require a minimum of 24 macarons (one box) and cost 15 percent more than the standard menu price. The bakery will also create custom colors for weddings or events, though they ask for at least four weeks' notice for large orders.

Pricing and how to order

Dana's sells macarons by the box: a box of 6 costs $18, a box of 12 costs $32, and a box of 24 costs $58. These prices are for the current week's flavors. Custom orders cost more—a box of 24 custom macarons runs $67. Shipping within the continental United States costs $15 for any size order and includes insulated packaging and a cold pack.

To order, you can visit the retail location at 2847 NE Alberta Street in Portland during business hours (Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), or place an order through their website at danasbakeryboutique.com. Online orders placed before noon are typically ready for pickup the next day if you are local, or ship out the same day if you are ordering for delivery. The bakery does not take phone orders.

Storage and how long macarons stay fresh

Macarons from Dana's Bakery should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. They will stay crisp on the outside and chewy inside for about five days. After that, the shells begin to soften as they absorb moisture from the filling, and the texture changes noticeably.

If you want to keep macarons longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to three weeks. Thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating. Freezing does not damage the shells, but it can make the filling slightly grainy if it contains fruit puree, so chocolate or nut fillings freeze better than fruit ones.

Dietary information and ingredient transparency

Dana's Bakery provides a full ingredient list for each flavor on their website, including allergen information. All macarons contain eggs (in the meringue), almonds, and powdered sugar. Most fillings contain dairy (butter or cream), though the bakery makes a small number of dairy-free fillings each week using coconut cream or nut butters.

The bakery does not make gluten-free macarons, and they do not have a dedicated gluten-free workspace, so cross-contamination is possible if you have celiac disease. They do make vegan macarons on request if you order at least three weeks in advance—these use aquafaba (chickpea liquid) instead of egg whites and dairy-free fillings. The vegan macarons cost the same as standard ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order macarons for a wedding or large event?

Yes. Dana's takes custom orders for events with at least four weeks' notice. You can choose custom colors, flavors, or a mix of flavors. The bakery can make up to 500 macarons per order. Contact them through their website to discuss your event and get a quote.

What happens if my macarons arrive cracked or broken?

Dana's ships macarons with insulation and a cold pack, but breakage can still happen. If your order arrives damaged, email a photo to the bakery within 24 hours. They will reship the order at no charge or refund your money, though they ask that you cover return shipping if you want a refund instead of a replacement.

Do you make macarons without nuts?

No. All Dana's Bakery macarons are made with almond flour, which is the base of the shell. If you have a nut allergy, these macarons are not safe for you. The bakery does not make a nut-free version.

How far in advance do I need to order?

For standard flavors, you can order online and pick up the next day if you are local, or have them shipped the same day. For custom flavors, colors, or vegan macarons, order at least two to three weeks ahead. For large event orders, give the bakery four weeks' notice.

Are Dana's macarons cheaper if I buy them in person?

No. The prices are the same whether you order online for shipping or buy at the retail location. You save the $15 shipping cost if you pick up in person, but the macarons themselves cost the same amount.