French Lemon Madeleine: The Ultimate Recipe Guide

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup of powdered sugar (for dusting)

Steps and instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your madeleine pan.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture is thick and creamy.
  3. Add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the egg mixture and stir until combined.
  4. In another bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, and whisk until just combined.
  6. Gradually pour in the melted butter, and continue to whisk until the batter is smooth and glossy.
  7. Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine pan, filling each shell about 3/4 full.
  8. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the madeleines are golden brown around the edges and puffed up in the center.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Once completely cool, dust the madeleines with powdered sugar.

Tools for making

  • Mixing bowls - You will need bowls to mix the ingredients together.
  • Whisk - A whisk will be used to combine the eggs and sugar and to mix the batter.
  • Zester/Grater - This tool is needed to zest the lemon and extract its flavorful zest.
  • Citrus juicer - A juicer will be used to extract fresh lemon juice.
  • Measuring cups and spoons - These are necessary to accurately measure the ingredients.
  • Madeleine pan - This specific pan is required to shape the madeleines into their distinctive shell-like form.
  • Baking sheets - These will be used to place the madeleine pan in the oven.
  • Cooling rack - A cooling rack is necessary to let the madeleines cool down evenly after baking.
  • Sifter or sieve - This will be used to sift the powdered sugar for dusting the madeleines.

Recipe variations

  • Replace the lemon zest and juice with orange zest and juice for a citrus variation.
  • Add a teaspoon of lavender buds to the batter for a floral twist.
  • Include 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh berries, such as blueberries or raspberries, to the batter.
  • Swap out the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a gluten-free option.
  • Add a teaspoon of matcha powder to the batter for a green tea flavor.
  • Sprinkle chopped pistachios or almonds on top of the madeleines before baking for added crunch.
  • Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled madeleines for a decadent touch.
  • Substitute the butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
  • Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom to the batter for a warm and spicy flavor.

Recipe overview

Delight your taste buds with these Lemon Madeleines, a classic French treat that's tender, delicate, and perfectly sweet. Infused with fresh lemon juice and zest, these madeleines are a perfect balance of tart and sweet. They make a delightful dessert or an elegant accompaniment to your afternoon tea. While they might appear fancy, they're surprisingly simple to make. This recipe will guide you through the process, from preparing your madeleine pan to the final dusting of powdered sugar. The end result? A batch of beautiful, golden brown madeleines that are light, buttery, and bursting with refreshing lemon flavor. Enjoy!

Common questions

  1. How long does it take to bake the madeleines?
    The madeleines need to bake for 12-14 minutes until they are golden brown around the edges and puffed up in the center.
  2. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
    It is recommended to use unsalted butter in this recipe to have better control over the salt content. However, if you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it, but consider reducing the amount of additional salt in the recipe.
  3. Can I skip the lemon zest and lemon juice?
    The lemon zest and juice provide the signature lemon flavor in these madeleines. Skipping them will result in a plain madeleine without the lemony taste.
  4. Can I make the batter in advance?
    It is best to bake the madeleines immediately after preparing the batter. The batter contains leavening agents that begin to work once they come into contact with the wet ingredients, so it's best not to let the batter sit for too long before baking.
  5. Can I use a different pan if I don't have a madeleine pan?
    While a madeleine pan is ideal for achieving the traditional shell shape, you can use a mini muffin pan instead. The baking time may vary, so keep an eye on them and adjust accordingly.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Madeleine Pan - A special pan with shell-shaped molds specifically designed for baking madeleines.
  • Wire Rack - Used for cooling the madeleines and allowing air to circulate around them.
  • Whisk - Used for whisking together the eggs, sugar, and other ingredients.
  • Mixing Bowls - Used for mixing and combining the wet and dry ingredients.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons - Used for accurately measuring the ingredients.
  • Zester or Microplane - Used for zesting the lemon to add the lemon zest to the batter.
  • Spatula - Used for folding in the dry ingredients and scraping the batter into the madeleine pan.
  • Powdered Sugar Sifter or Sieve - Used for dusting the powdered sugar over the cooled madeleines.

Origin stories

Madeleines, the delicate shell-shaped cakes, are believed to have originated in the Lorraine region of France. The most popular legend attributes their creation to a young girl named Madeleine Paulmier. In the late 18th century, she was said to have been a cook for Stanisław Leszczyński, whose daughter, Maria, married Louis XV and became the Queen of France. During a large banquet, when a pastry cook had deserted the kitchen, young Madeleine quickly whipped up these little cakes using her grandmother's recipe. The little cakes were an instant hit among the guests. Louis XV was so captivated by the taste of these little cake gems, he named them after their creator – hence 'Madeleine'. Over the years, these charming treats have been immortalized in literature, particularly by Marcel Proust in his novel, "À la recherche du temps perdu" (In Search of Lost Time), where he eloquently describes how the taste of a madeleine cake can trigger a flood of childhood memories.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.