Fluffy French Madeleine Recipe: Golden Seashells of Sweetness

Crafting a delicate madeleine recipe brings pure magic to your kitchen’s creative canvas.

Sweet memories of french pastry swirl through culinary traditions.

Shells of buttery sponge cake shimmer with delicate charm.

Gentle whispers of vanilla dance across each golden surface.

Subtle techniques transform simple ingredients into elegant miniature treats.

Soft edges and tender crumb promise delightful indulgence.

Let passion guide your baking adventure into these classic french delicacies.

Why Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe Tastes So Good

• Capture French Elegance: Recreate a classic French pastry that brings sophistication to your kitchen with minimal effort.
• Master Baking Basics: Perfect for beginners wanting to learn traditional baking techniques through a straightforward, forgiving recipe.
• Versatile Treat: Ideal for breakfast, afternoon tea, dessert, or elegant entertaining with minimal ingredients and simple preparation.
• Quick Kitchen Triumph: Delivers impressive results in just a few minutes of active cooking, making it perfect for spontaneous baking moments.

Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe Ingredient Checklist

• Eggs: Rich and creamy foundation for the delicate madeleine texture.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden caramelized exterior.
• Flour: Gives structure and tender crumb to the classic French pastry.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a soft, moist cake-like texture.

• Vanilla: Provides warm, sweet aromatic notes to the delicate pastry.
• Lemon Zest: Optional bright citrus accent that adds freshness and depth.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar, Chocolate: Optional decorative and flavor-enhancing toppings for serving the madeleines.

Simple Guide To Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grab your madeleine pan and melt some butter. Use a pastry brush to coat each cavity thoroughly with a butter and flour mixture to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Butter Magic

Melt the remaining butter and set aside to cool down. This will help prevent scrambling the eggs when mixing later.

Step 3: Whisk Egg Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and vigorously whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat for about 30 seconds until the mixture becomes light and frothy.

Step 4: Fold in Flour Gently

Sift flour into the egg mixture in three separate additions. Use a delicate folding motion to incorporate each batch, maintaining the airiness of the batter.

Step 5: Incorporate Butter and Zest

Slowly drizzle the cooled melted butter into the batter. If desired, add lemon or orange zest for extra flavor. Fold carefully until everything is just combined.

Step 6: Fill Madeleine Molds

Spoon approximately one tablespoon of batter into each madeleine cavity. The batter should fill about three-quarters of each shell-shaped mold.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly touched.

Step 8: Cool and Release

Allow madeleines to cool in the pan for a few minutes. Gently tap the pan to release the delicate cakes onto a wire cooling rack.

Step 9: Final Flourish

Once completely cooled, dust with powdered sugar or dip half in melted chocolate for an elegant touch. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Helpful Tips For Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe

• Butter Brushing Technique: Thoroughly coat madeleine tin cavities with butter-flour mixture to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of delicate cakes.
• Egg Whisking Secret: Whip eggs and sugar vigorously for 30 seconds to create a light, airy texture that gives madeleines their signature rise and softness.
• Gentle Folding Method: Incorporate flour and butter carefully using a folding motion to maintain the batter's delicate air bubbles and prevent dense, tough madeleines.
• Temperature Precision: Bake exactly 9 minutes on the center rack to achieve the perfect golden color and signature hump characteristic of classic French madeleines.
• Flavor Boost Options: Experiment with citrus zest or swap vanilla extract for almond extract to create unique flavor variations while maintaining the traditional recipe's delicate structure.

New Ways To Try Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe

• Lavender Lemon Madeleines: Swap vanilla for lavender extract and add lemon zest for a fragrant, citrusy version.
• Chocolate Chip Madeleines: Fold mini dark chocolate chips into batter for a classic sweet upgrade.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly treat.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use aquafaba instead of eggs, coconut oil for butter, and maple syrup for sugar to create plant-based madeleines.

Best Pairings For Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe

• Pair with Citrus-Infused Tea: Light, fragrant Earl Grey or lemon-chamomile tea perfectly complements the delicate madeleine's buttery texture and subtle sweetness.
• Enhance with Lavender Honey: Drizzle high-quality lavender honey over madeleines to elevate their delicate flavor profile and add a sophisticated floral note.
• Match with French Crémant: Serve alongside a crisp, sparkling French Crémant wine to create an elegant dessert experience that highlights the madeleine's traditional French origins.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise: Create a luxurious dipping sauce using smooth vanilla bean crème anglaise that brings out the madeleine's rich, tender characteristics.

How To Store Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe Properly

• Store madeleines in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent staleness.
• Wrap individual madeleines in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month without losing their delicate texture.
• Place in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve their soft, tender crumb.
• Warm briefly in a preheated oven at 150C (300F) for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, use a toaster oven for quick, even heating that restores their original warmth and slightly crisp edges.

Mary Berry Madeleine Recipe FAQs

• What are madeleines?

Madeleines are small, shell-shaped French sponge cakes with a distinctive bump on one side, traditionally made with a light, buttery batter and known for their delicate texture.

• Why do madeleines have a signature bump?

The signature bump forms when cold batter hits a hot madeleine pan, creating a unique rise during the initial moments of baking, which is a hallmark of a perfectly made madeleine.

• Do I need a special pan to make madeleines?

Yes, a traditional madeleine pan with shell-shaped cavities is essential to achieve the classic shape and characteristic look of these French cakes.

Madeleine Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 14 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delicate French Madeleines invite you on a buttery, shell-shaped journey through Parisian pastry magic. Signature scalloped edges and golden-brown perfection promise a light, sweet escape that melts effortlessly on your palate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 12 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cup (155 g) all-purpose flour
• 10 tablespoons (141 g) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons lemon or orange zest
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Prepare a madeleine tin by coating each cavity with a mixture of melted butter and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Gently melt the remaining butter and allow it to cool to room temperature.
3. Vigorously whisk eggs, sugars, vanilla extract, and salt in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and slightly frothy.
4. Gradually sift flour into the egg mixture, folding carefully in three separate additions to maintain a smooth, airy texture.
5. Incorporate the cooled melted butter and optional citrus zest, folding gently to preserve the batter’s delicate consistency.
6. Carefully distribute the batter into the prepared madeleine tin, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full.
7. Position the tin in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) and bake for 9-10 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and a slight spring when touched.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the madeleines to cool briefly in the tin to help them retain their distinctive shell-like shape.
9. Transfer the delicate pastries to a wire rack to cool completely, then optionally dust with powdered sugar or dip in melted chocolate for an elegant finish.
10. Repeat the baking process with any remaining batter to create additional batches of these classic French treats.

Notes

• Grease madeleine tin generously to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
• Use room temperature eggs for better volume and smoother batter incorporation.
• Chill the batter for 30 minutes before baking to develop signature hump and delicate texture.
• Avoid overmixing batter to maintain light, tender crumb and prevent tough madeleines.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 202 kcal
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 48 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 44 mg