Madeleines

13 mins cooking time
Madeleines Madeleines

Madeleines

  • 2 hours 30 mins preparation time
  • 13 mins cooking time
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Method

1
To make the Madeleines, brush the tin (or tins) well with melted butter. Dust with flour, tap out the excess, then chill.
2
Whisk the eggs, sugar and a good pinch of salt until the mix is light and fluffy. Fold in the 100g butter. Sift the 100g flour and the baking powder into another bowl, then whisk in the lemon zest. Fold the flour mix into the egg mixture using a large metal spoon until just combined. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, and up to 8 hours.
3
Heat the oven to 170°C fan/gas 5. Use 2 teaspoons to drop the batter into the holes in the tin until about three quarters full. Bake small ones for 8-9 minutes (12-13 minutes for large ones) until risen and golden. Whisk the lemon juice and 2 tbsp water with the icing sugar whilst they cook .
TIP
You can make a simple lemon glaze by mixing some confectioners' sugar, butter and lemon zest.
4
When the cakes are cool enough to handle, use a fork to dip them into the lemon glaze, then put them on a wire rack, scalloped-side up.

Everything about Madeleines

  • Madeleines are sweet, bite-sized sponge cakes (Petites Madeleines) originally from the Lorraine region in France. Famous for their scalloped shell shape and signature hump, they’re traditionally flavoured with a subtle hint of lemon or vanilla, or sometimes dripped in melted chocolate.

  • Madeleines can be enjoyed warm or cold, usually dusted with a light coating of powdered sugar. In France, they’re a popular treat during ‘goûter’ (afternoon snack time), often enjoyed with a cup of tea for dipping.

  • Yes, you can. To keep your Madeleines at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for 2-3 days. Or to enjoy them even later, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months, then thaw or reheat when you’re ready.

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Madeleines; Petit cakes, made with little touches.

So, what’s the secret to a great Madeleine? Our recipe starts with good, quality ingredients like flour, eggs, fine Lurpak® butter - nothing complicated, just the essentials, done well. Then, it’s all about the little touches. Buttering and flouring the tin, folding the batter gently, and chilling it for the right amount of time to let the texture develop. Creating your Madeleines, you’ll discover it’s the simplest steps that make all the difference - like adding a touch of lemon zest for brightness and just the right amount of glaze to tie it all together. Over to you, time to bake, bake, bake!

Shape it till you bake it. Building perfect Madeleines.

Keen to make genuine French Madeleines? First, grab the right tray. You’ll need a special Madeleine pan with the classic, scalloped moulds to get that signature shell shape. That done, be sure to butter and flour the tin so your Madeleines slide out easily when baked. When filling the moulds, don’t go overboard - just a teaspoon or two, about three-quarters full, is all you need. The result? Those perfectly golden, shell-shaped Madeleines we all know and love.

Gluten-free Madeleines. A twist on a French treat.

Our classic Madeleine recipe isn’t gluten-free, but it’s easy to adapt with a few simple tweaks. Swap the plain flour for a quality gluten-free blend and check your baking powder is gluten-free as well. To keep the texture light and fluffy, add a pinch of Xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t include it already. Then, simply follow the original recipe as usual. With these small changes, you’ll still create soft, golden Madeleines that pretty much stay true to the original recipe.

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Lurpak® Unsalted Butter

Unsalted Butter

With Lurpak® by your side you’re always ready to cook, bake and fry up wonders, cook. With its delicate taste, Lurpak® Unsalted Butter enhances the flavour of whatever food you add it to. From a hearty risotto dish, your weekend baking creations, to some simple earthy mushrooms, its subtle notes complement every creation you rustle up in the kitchen. For people who love Good Food, Lurpak® makes it even better. Now sleeves up. Today we cook bold.

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