Madeleines Recipe – Classic French Sponge Cakes
These classic French madeleines are soft, buttery sponge cakes with delicate golden edges and the signature shell shape. Light, elegant, and perfect with coffee or tea, they are a timeless French treat that is surprisingly simple to make at home.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 madeleines
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 95 g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Butter for greasing the pan
- 1 tablespoon flour for dusting the pan
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar for about 5 minutes until pale, thick, and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest, then whisk gently.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a spatula.
- Slowly fold in the cooled melted butter until smooth and fully combined.
- Cover the batter and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a madeleine pan with butter and dust lightly with flour.
- Fill each mold about three-quarters full with batter.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden around the edges and springy in the center.
- Cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
- Chilling the batter helps create the signature madeleine hump.
- Use orange zest or almond extract for flavor variations.
- Dip cooled madeleines in melted chocolate for an elegant finish.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze baked madeleines for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 madeleine
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
