How to Make Madeleines
A Madeleine is a classic French cookie that is both delicious to eat and easy to make. Classically shell-shaped and flavored with lemon or orange zest, variations include chocolate, almond paste and nuts. The scallop shape of the cookies is made from a specially designed Madeleine cookie pan. These are a great cookie to go with your afternoon tea. The following recipes (first for classic Madeleines, and then for chocolate Madeleines) make two dozen each of these yummy cookies!
Ingredients for Classic Madeleines
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extrract
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup confectioners sugar
3/ cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
Directions for Classic Madeleines
1) Preheat over to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour twenty-four 3 inch Madeleine molds.
2) In an electric mixer, using a medium bowl, beat eggs and combine with vanilla and lemon zest on high speed for 5 minutes. Slowly add in the confectioners sugar and beat for another 5 minutes or the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
3) Combine flour and baking powder and pour 1/4 of this mix over the egg mixture made in the previous step. Gently fold in. Continue to do add the flour mixture to the egg mixture 1/4 at a time.
4) Fold in the melted and cooled butter and spoon the batter into the greased madeleine molds. Fill each mold 3/4 full.
5) Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees F, or until the edges are golden brown and they spring back when touched. Allow to cool in the molds on a cooling rack (1 minute). Remove from tin with a knife and invert the cookies onto the cooling rack.
6) Lightly coat with confectioners sugar or dip the tips of the cookies into melted semi-sweet chocolate.
Ingredients for Chocolate Madeleines
1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
2 ounces butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
Directions for Chocolate Madeleines
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter one Madeleine tin. Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder and sale together in a bowl. Combine melted cooled butter with vanilla and sugar, add egg and egg yolks. Beat to mix. Gently stir in the dry ingredients. Spoon into molds.
2. Bake at 375 for 12 minutes. Cool on wire rack and sprinkle with confectioners sugar.
