MARRON CORON is a beloved confection from Otaru and the signature product of Amato, a long-established confectionery founded in 1929. First created in 1960 with the desire to make a sweet unlike anything else, it has remained popular locally for decades and has become one of Otaru’s best-known sweets.
MARRON CORON is made by stacking three thick, crisp sablé cookies into a generously sized round confection. It measures approximately 6.5 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm thick, giving it a substantial presence compared with an ordinary cookie.
The generous size was inspired by the idea of wanting people to enjoy plenty of something delicious. The sablé has a satisfying, firm texture, while the absence of filling between the cookie layers keeps the overall texture pleasantly light.
The sablé is made with generous amounts of cheese and butter, giving it a rich aroma and full, sweet flavor. Carefully selected ingredients are used throughout, including Hokkaido-produced Kenkotsu eggs and unsalted fermented butter in the sablé dough.
The confection is finished with a coating of high-quality Swiss chocolate. The roasted flavor of raw almonds also adds another layer of aroma, creating a rich combination of buttery sablé, nuts and chocolate.
MARRON CORON is made using a distinctive process developed by Amato. Apricot jam is sandwiched between the cookies, while the sides are coated with chocolate. This gives the confection a subtle fruity note alongside the richness of the butter and chocolate.
The sweet was originally introduced in 1960 under the name “Jam Sandwich.” It was later renamed MARRON CORON, a name inspired by the thick, rounded shape of the sablé, which resembles a chestnut.
Despite its name, MARRON CORON contains no chestnuts. “Marron” refers to the resemblance of the confection to a chestnut, while “coron” evokes its rounded shape. The playful name has become an essential part of this Otaru classic.
MARRON CORON is available in five flavors: Almond, Cacao, Cheese, Walnut and Strawberry. Each variation combines the characteristic crisp sablé and chocolate coating with its own distinctive flavor.
MARRON CORON keeps well and is a popular souvenir from Otaru. It is available both in assorted gift boxes and as individual pieces, making it convenient whether you want to take home a selection or share individual sweets with friends and family.
With its long history, generous size, crisp sablé, chocolate coating and distinctive name, MARRON CORON is a memorable way to experience the confectionery culture of Otaru.