Description
Delicate French madeleines dance with buttery elegance, offering a perfect balance of light cake and rich flavor. Sweet shell-shaped treats from Lorraine promise a delightful moment of pure French pastry pleasure you’ll savor with each tender bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted until browned
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup confectioners sugar, sifted, optional
Instructions
- Melt of butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, allowing the butter to continue cooking on low until milk solids transform to a rich golden brown color, approximately 10 minutes.
- Transfer the browned butter to a small bowl and incorporate vanilla extract and fresh lemon zest, then allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate medium mixing bowl, setting the dry ingredients aside.
- Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat eggs at medium speed while gradually introducing sugar, then increase speed to medium-high and whip until mixture becomes thick and pale, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
- Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in three separate additions, ensuring minimal stirring, then carefully incorporate the cooled browned butter.
- Cover the batter and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, with an option to store up to 2 days before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) 30 minutes prior to baking, generously preparing madeleine molds by brushing with butter and lightly dusting with flour.
- Carefully spoon level batter portions into each mold, ensuring even distribution.
- Bake for 12 minutes, watching for characteristic “belly” rise and golden brown coloration.
- Allow madeleines to cool briefly in the pan, then delicately remove from molds and dust with powdered sugar before serving warm.
Notes
- Brown the butter carefully to develop a rich, nutty flavor that elevates the entire taste profile of these delicate French cookies.
- Chilling the batter is crucial for creating the signature hump and tender texture that makes madeleines so distinctive.
- Use fresh eggs at room temperature to ensure maximum volume and lightness when whipping the batter.
- Generously butter and flour the madeleine molds to guarantee a perfect shell-like shape and easy release.
- Serve these classic treats immediately after baking for the best taste and texture, enjoying them warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- The subtle combination of vanilla and lemon zest creates a delicate, aromatic flavor that captures the essence of traditional French pastry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg