Madeleines are a delicious light cookie made in the shape of a shell made famous by the legendary Julia Child. Sponge cake like with crisp edges, these delightful confections are also known as tea cakes or French butter cakes.
Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Allow the butter to come to a boil and let it cook for 3-4 minutes. Swirl the pan every minute to ensure it cooks evenly. When the butter is golden brown and smells nutty, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
While the butter is cooling, whisk the eggs in a bowl and measure out ¼ cup. Reserve the rest.
Place the ¼ cup of eggs in a medium-size mixing bowl along with the sugar and flour. Use an electric mixer and mix on low speed. The mixture will be dry and crumbly. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes.
Once the butter has cooled add it and the remaining egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt to the batter which has been resting. Mix thoroughly with your electric mixer until blended and smooth.
Spray madeleine pan with nonstick baking spray. Place a generous tablespoon of batter into each of the madeleine cups. I used a 1-½ inch ice cream scoop to keep the amount of batter consistent.
Bake the madeleines at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until cakes are lightly browned around the edges and slightly puffed in the center.
Unmold onto a wire rack to cool.
Optional, when cool, turn madeleines shell side up and dust with confectioners sugar.
Notes
Sharon's Expert Tips:
Feel free to dust the tops of your madeleines with a little confectioners sugar if you like. My husband likes them this way, but I like them plain. Either way, they are delicious, so it's up to you.
No madeleine pan, no worries! You can always use a mini-muffin pan. The madeleines won't look like madeleines, but will taste exactly the same! Just be sure to thoroughly grease the cups so they will come out easily. You might also want to add 2-3 minutes to the baking time because they will be thicker.
Madeleines are best the day they are made but will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two in an airtight container. They also freeze well.
If you use salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe.
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