J'AIME

bakery — Merivale · Christchurch

About J'AIME

J'AIME (J'aime Les Macarons) is a boutique patisserie and confectionery specialist based in Christchurch, renowned for crafting artisanal macarons and luxury sweet treats. Originally made famous for their delicate, chewy French macarons, the brand has grown into a refined confectionery house celebrated across New Zealand and featured in leading publications like Dish, Cuisine, Viva, and Denizen.

From their signature Brûlé macarons with crisp caramelised sugar shells to gourmet cookies, artisanal panforte, and chocolate salame, J'AIME focuses on meticulous craftsmanship and premium flavour profiles. Alongside their seasonal boxed collections, they offer thoughtfully curated gift sets, celebratory treats, and wholesale selections for events and gifting.

J'AIME: Handcrafted Macarons and Luxe Confections in Christchurch

J'AIME has established itself as one of New Zealand's premier names in French-style confectionery. Built on a foundation of precision baking and uncompromising attention to ingredient quality, the boutique patisserie has grown from a macaron specialist into a beloved destination for luxurious sweets, artisan baked goods, and memorable gifts.

Widely celebrated in national media including Denizen, Viva, Kia Ora, Dish, and Cuisine, J'AIME approaches the craft of patisserie with both classic technique and modern flair. Each macaron shell is made with a fine almond meal base, achieving that elusive balance of a paper-thin, crisp exterior giving way to a delicately chewy interior and rich, velvety filling.

The Signatures: From Brûlé Shells to Artisan Confections

While their ever-evolving boxed collections keep visitors returning for seasonal flavours, the Brûlé Macaron holds legendary status among regular patrons. Filled with silky smooth vanilla buttercream and finished with a torch-toasted caramelised sugar top, it delivers the full textural satisfaction of a classic crème brûlée in a single, refined bite.

Beyond traditional macarons, J'AIME has expanded its repertoire into award-winning specialty confectionery. Their shelves feature distinctive European-inspired treats such as the Tusca Chocolate Salame and the richly spiced Port, Prune & Dark Chocolate Panforte. For cookie lovers, the kitchen produces a line of 'Luxe Cookies' designed with creative ingredient pairings, including Buckwheat, Honey & Caramelised White Chocolate and Peanut Butter with Raspberry Jam.

Perfect Gifting and Nationwide Treats

Whether dropping by for a sweet companion to your daily coffee or curating an elegant box for an event, J'AIME treats every item as a gift. Alongside sweet treats, the range includes accompaniments like Veuve Clicquot champagne, artisanal teas, and curated hampers.

For those serving macarons at celebrations or gifting them afar, proper care ensures the signature chew remains intact. Made with almond flour and rich dairy fillings, each treat represents pure patisserie craftsmanship.

Signature items

  • Brûlé Macaron
  • Classics Boxed Collection
  • Tusca Chocolate Salame
  • Port, Prune & Dark Chocolate Panforte
  • Double Choc Chunk Cookie
  • Rose, Berry & Pistachio Rocky Road

Menu

Luxe Cookies

  • Buckwheat, Honey & Caramelised White Chocolate Cookie — Rich artisan cookie combining earthy buckwheat, honey, and caramelised white chocolate.
  • Double Choc Chunk Cookie — Decadent cookie packed with generous chunks of rich chocolate.
  • Hazelnut, Espresso & Milk Chocolate Cookie — Flavourful cookie pairing roasted hazelnuts, espresso, and creamy milk chocolate.
  • Peanut Butter & Raspberry Jam Cookie — A sweet and salty blend of rich peanut butter and tangy raspberry jam.

Macaron Collections

  • Winter Collection — Box of 12 seasonal macarons showcasing sophisticated flavours crafted for the winter season.
  • Classics Boxed Collection — Award-winning assortment of classic macaron flavours, available in boxes of 6 or 12.
  • Birthday Cake Collection — Celebratory macaron collection featuring festive flavours like strawberry and chocolate.
  • Brûlé Macaron — In-store everyday favourite with silky smooth vanilla buttercream and a toasted sugar shell.
  • Build a Box of Macarons — Customisable boxed selection of fresh macarons.

Confectionery & Sweets

  • Rose, Berry & Pistachio Rocky Road — Gourmet rocky road confection featuring fragrant rose, tart berries, and crunchy pistachios.
  • Pistachio Butter Crayons — Delicate, buttery crayon-shaped confectionery crafted with pistachio.
  • Tusca Chocolate Salame — Award-winning rich chocolate salame slice with textured inclusions.
  • Port, Prune & Dark Chocolate Panforte — Award-winning rich, dense Italian-style confection with port, prunes, and dark chocolate.
  • Pretzel Biscuits — Award-winning crisp, savoury-sweet pretzel biscuits.
  • Espresso Martini Chewy Caramels — Irresistible chewy caramels infused with bold espresso martini flavour.

Beverages & Accompaniments

  • Champagne & Teas — Selection of spritz, champagne bottles (such as Veuve Clicquot), and premium teas.

Frequently asked questions

Are J'AIME macarons gluten-free?
None of the ingredients used in the production of their macarons contain gluten; however, their kitchen is not 100% gluten-free, which may affect those with severe allergies.
Do the macarons contain nuts or dairy?
Yes. All macaron shells have an almond meal base and flavours can contain other nuts (including peanuts). All fillings contain dairy.
How long do the macarons last?
They are best eaten within 5 days from receipt. Storing them in the fridge helps retain their signature chewy texture.
How should macarons be stored and served?
Keep them refrigerated in their box or an airtight container. When serving, bring them out 15 minutes prior to eating to allow them to reach room temperature for optimal flavour and texture.
Can the macarons be frozen at home?
No. Part of the process to ensure the correct texture involves snap-freezing them the day they are baked, and for food safety reasons they cannot be refrozen.
Do they cater for corporate gifting and wholesale?
Yes. J'AIME provides corporate gifting and acts as a wholesale supplier to florists, event planners, cafes, and supermarkets, including unpackaged bulk products for events.

Tips

  • {"body":"Remove refrigerated macarons 15 minutes before serving to experience the intended creamy texture and nuanced flavours.","title":"Serve at room temperature"}
  • {"body":"The bakery snap-freezes macarons on baking day for ideal texture, so avoid putting them back in the freezer at home.","title":"Don't refreeze"}
  • {"body":"If you are unsure which flavour to start with, the torched Brûlé macaron is their everyday house favourite.","title":"Try the Brûlé"}

Good to know

  • {"dietary":"Macarons made without gluten ingredients (kitchen contains gluten); contains tree nuts, peanuts, and dairy."}