3 Easy Recipes for Delicious Madeleine Cookies
Madeleine cookies, with their delicate texture and iconic shell shape, are a timeless treat that has captured the hearts of pastry lovers for centuries. These French tea cakes, often associated with nostalgia and literature (thanks to Marcel Proust), are surprisingly simple to make and can be customized with various flavors to suit your tastes. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pastry pro, these three easy madeleine recipes are sure to delight you and your loved ones.
In this post, we’ll dive into three variations of madeleine cookies: classic madeleines, lemon madeleines, and chocolate madeleines. Along the way, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and tables for the ingredients to make your baking experience even easier!
Table of contents
1. Classic Madeleine Cookies Recipe
Classic madeleines are buttery, fluffy, and perfectly golden. These cookies are the epitome of French elegance, often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. If you’re new to madeleines, this recipe is a fantastic starting point.
Ingredients for Classic Madeleine Cookies:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (113g) |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup (150g) |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup (125g) |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Powdered sugar (for dusting) | Optional, for serving |
Instructions:
- Prepare the Madeleine Pan: Begin by greasing your madeleine pan with butter and lightly dusting it with flour to prevent the cookies from sticking. If you don’t have a madeleine pan, consider using mini muffin tins for a similar shape.
- Melt the Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together until the mixture is thick and pale, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, being careful not to deflate the batter.
- Incorporate Butter: Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the batter, folding gently until just combined. The batter should be smooth and thick.
- Chill the Batter: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the batter helps achieve that iconic Madeleine texture.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill the Madeleine Pans: Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine pan, filling each mold about 3/4 full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
2. Lemon Madeleine Cookies Recipe
For those who enjoy a refreshing citrusy twist, lemon madeleines are the perfect option. The zesty lemon enhances the buttery flavor and adds a bright, aromatic touch to these classic French cookies.
Ingredients for Lemon Madeleine Cookies:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (113g) |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup (150g) |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup (125g) |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Lemon zest | 1 tablespoon |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Powdered sugar (for dusting) | Optional, for serving |
Instructions:
- Prepare the Madeleine Pan: Grease and flour your madeleine pan just like in the classic recipe.
- Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan and let it cool to room temperature.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until thick and pale, about 3-5 minutes. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually fold this mixture into the wet ingredients.
- Add Butter: Gently fold in the melted butter, making sure the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Chill the Batter: Cover the bowl and chill the batter in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to allow it to firm up.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill the Pans: Spoon the batter into each mold, filling it about 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges and springy to the touch.
- Cool and Serve: Let the madeleines cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
3. Chocolate Madeleine Cookies Recipe
For chocolate lovers, these chocolate madeleines offer the perfect blend of buttery goodness and rich cocoa flavor. These cookies are just as light and fluffy as the classic version, but with a decadent chocolate twist.
Ingredients for Chocolate Madeleine Cookies:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (113g) |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup (150g) |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| All-purpose flour | 3/4 cup (95g) |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 1/4 cup (30g) |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Dark chocolate (chopped) | 3 ounces (85g) |
| Powdered sugar (for dusting) | Optional, for serving |
Instructions:
- Prepare the Madeleine Pan: Grease and flour the pan to ensure the cookies come out easily after baking.
- Melt the Butter and Chocolate: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and chopped dark chocolate together. Stir occasionally to ensure it melts smoothly. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and the melted butter-chocolate mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Chill the Batter: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill the Madeleine Pans: Spoon the chocolate batter into the molds, filling them about 3/4 full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges and spring back when touched.
- Cool and Serve: Let the madeleines cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Tips for Perfect Madeleines
- Chill the Batter: For the best texture, chill your batter for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps create the signature hump on the madeleine.
- Don’t Overfill the Pan: Fill each mold only about 3/4 full. Overfilling can cause the batter to overflow and lose its classic shape.
- Butter and Flour the Pan Well: Grease the pan generously with butter and flour to ensure easy removal of the cookies.
- Experiment with Flavors: While classic madeleines are delicious on their own, feel free to experiment with flavors like lemon, chocolate, or even almond extract for a unique twist.
- Serve Fresh: Madeleines are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
Madeleine cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion, whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea, having a cozy coffee break, or indulging in a little something sweet. These three easy recipes—classic, lemon, and chocolate—offer a variety of flavors that are sure to please anyone’s palate. With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can enjoy homemade madeleines that taste just as good as those from your favorite French patisserie. Happy baking!
Have you tried making madeleine cookies? Let us know which recipe you liked best in the comments below, and feel free to share your tips and tricks for baking the perfect madeleines!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I make madeleine cookies without a madeleine pan? Yes, you can! If you don’t have a madeleine pan, you can use a mini muffin tin or any similar shaped pan. While the traditional shell shape will be missed, the cookies will still be delicious. Just be sure to adjust the baking time since mini muffin pans may bake faster.
- Can I freeze madeleine cookies for later? Absolutely! You can freeze madeleines for up to 1-2 months. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
- Why is it important to chill the batter before baking madeleines? Chilling the batter helps the cookies maintain their distinctive “hump” shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking. It also contributes to a lighter, fluffier texture. Chilling for 30 minutes to 1 hour is usually enough for the best results.
- Can I make gluten-free madeleine cookies? Yes, you can make gluten-free madeleines! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may also need to adjust the amount of liquid or add a binding agent like xanthan gum, depending on the flour blend you use. Experiment with different gluten-free flours like rice flour or almond flour for a unique twist.