These little sponge cakes have a special place in my heart. I remember the first time I had them was during a trip to France with my family. We were sitting in a café, and the waiter brought us a plate of these little cookies; I was so intrigued by their shape and texture that I just had to try one.
As soon as I took a bite, I was in love. The Madeleines were so light and airy, and they just melted in my mouth. The delicate flavor was so addicting that I ended up eating almost the whole plate!
I was even more amazed when I learned that these cookies have been a part of French culture since the 17th century. In the early 1920s, it was fully embraced by the people as theirs. I never thought cookies could be this loved that they literally became a part of a country’s history!
Since then, I’ve always associated Madeleines with France. Whenever I see them, it takes me back to that café and that moment when I fell in love with them. These Classic French Madeleines were one of the recipes I learned early on in my baking journey, and they’re still one of my favorites.
Classic French Madeleines are a simple and elegant dessert. I love to serve them with a cup of tea or coffee; they always make me feel so fancy!
Maybe it’s the fact that they’re associated with a country that I love so much, or perhaps it’s because they’re just so delicious. Either way, I’m sure you’ll understand my obsession with these Classic French Madeleines once you’ve tried them yourself!
Print![Classic French Madeleines](https://foodgardening.mequoda.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/classic-French-Madeleines-scaled-e1658578306159-170x114.jpg)
Classic French Madeleines
Tiny and delicate, these buttery Classic French Madeleines have just the right amount of vanilla and a delectable hint of lemon!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Makes 20 to 22 cookies 1x
- Category: Bakery
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour a nonstick madeleine pan.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a medium bowl using a hand mixer, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until blended. Beat in the vanilla, lemon zest, and sea salt.
- Add the flour and beat until blended. Gradually add the butter slowly until blended.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of the batter into each indentation in the prepared pan.
- Bake until puffy and brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove from the pan.
- Let the pan cool. Repeat the process with the remainder of the batter.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve.
Have you had a chance to try this recipe? Have these on your front porch with a cup of tea or a fresh mug of coffee and it might just feel like you’re on a Parisian vacation.