Lemon madeleines buttery and so very moreish! These little french fancies are a perfect mid morning treat or make an excellent after dinner petit four.
Lemon madeleines are both delicious and very easy to make. Once baked the problem is stopping at just one!
This best lemon madeleine recipe is a basic batter that can be made ahead and chilled in the fridge until you are ready to bake.
The only requirement for lemon madeleines is a well prepared tray, brushed with butter and dusted with flour.
However their simplicity in no way impacts on the taste. Rustle up a tray and you'll be hard pushed not to eat the lot!
This is French patisserie at its most simple. These simple cakes are also French tea cakes or French butter cakes.
These simple sponge cakes originated in France where they are serve warm from the oven, either with morning or mid afternoon coffee.
Lemon madeleine recipe steps:
Weight out ingredients ready to start.
Transfer the madeleines to a wire rack and leave to cool for a couple of minutes, before plating and dusting with a little icing sugar. Serve immediately.
Recipe ingredients and substitutions:
- Lemon can be substituted with other citrus flavours like orange or lime. You could also do a combination of citrus fruits.
- Caster sugar is used as it has a lighter texture and dissolves quickly. We don't recommend substituting with any other sugar in these light cake.
- Carefully measure out the baking powder as too much will leave the cakes tasting bitter and you also run the risk of the cakes rising too quickly then collapsing.
How to serve madeleines?
Madeleines were traditionally served as an afternoon tea cake. However, my first taste of madeleines was in a London restaurant along with after dinner tea and coffee.
That gave Michelle and I the idea to serve it as the perfect petit four with after dinner tea and coffee at last month's Supperclubs.
Our diners were delighted with these warm pastries served straight from the oven.
Hints and tips:
- The batter can be made in advance and kept in the fridge until you are ready to bake the cakes.
- Key to the success of baking these simple lemon madeleines, is preparation of the tray. Generously butter and flour the madeleine tray before pouring in the batter. You want the cakes to slip right out of their scallop shapes moulds once baked!
- You know the cakes are ready when a cocktail stick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- The traditional madeleine shape is that they look like little scallop shells. One side has a scallop shape from the madeleine tin, the other side of the cake will be domed.
- Lemon madeleines are best served warm, straight from the oven and eaten within an hour of cooking.
- That is not to say that you can't eat leftovers the next day, just that they are at their best served warm from the oven.
- A really simple and straight forward recipe, go on give them a try.
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Additional recipe suggestions:
If you like this recipe then why not try some of our other great after dinner treats:
Lemon Madeleines
Ingredients
- 100 g plain flour
- 100 g caster sugar
- 2 free range eggs
- 1 lemon (zest & juice)
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 100 g butter (melted & cooled)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Brush a madeleine tray with melted butter then add a little flour to coat, tapping out any excess.
- Whisk together the eggs and sugar in a bowl until light and frothy. Gently whisk in the remaining ingredients. Leave to stand for at least 20 minutes before pouring into the prepared madeleine tray using a dessert spoon. Do not overfill the trays, only about ¾ full.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the mixture has risen a little in the middle and is fully cooked through. Transfer the madeleines to a wire rack and leave for a few minutes to cool slightly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy whilst warm.
Notes
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
We are sharing this recipe with #CookBlogShare, and also with Jo's Kitchen Larder and Apply Face to Blog that run #BakingCrumbs linkup.
Theresa says
Fantastic great recipe. It’s true very difficult to stop eating them. Scrummy
Lesley says
Thank you Theresa, I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. It's not easy stopping at one.
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
They look absolutely perfect! Beautiful photos too!
Michelle says
Thank you Kat, these are one of my favourite things to make (and eat!). Michelle.
Hannah says
These look delicious - so pretty! I bet they taste super fresh and light too!
Michelle says
Thanks Hannah, yes they are so light and they really need eating straight away - which is never really a problem for me!:-) Cheers, Michelle x
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
I'm embarrassed to say I don't think I have ever eaten a madeleine. These look so inviting and beautiful!
Michelle says
Thanks Cat, and can I just say - I have never eaten one either....more like 5, 6, ....at a time! 🙂 But honestly so easy. Cheers, Michelle x
Jenny Walters says
I'm the same here as Jo!I have a beautiful madeline tray sat in my drawer and have never used it! But this recipe will be my virgin bake in it. These look and sound absolutely delightful! So delicate and pretty. Thank you so much for sharing with #BakingCrumbs
Michelle says
Thanks Jenny. I must admit mine sat for years and I was always going to make them, now I've started again I reminded myself just how quick and easy they are! Cheers, Michelle
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
These are gorgeous and so delicate and dainty! I am really jealous of your supper club diners who got to enjoy them. I have actually bought myself a Madeleine pan but have not used it yet (slap on the wrist) and am now looking forward to trying out your recipe. Thank you for sharing with #BakingCrumbs 🙂 x
Lesley says
Thank you Jo, and you'd be very welcome at our Supperclub if only you lived a little closer. These Madeleine's are so simple and very moreish. Be warned when you do use that pan you will be unable to stop at one. Lesley x
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Oh these are so pretty! The perfect way to round off a good meal - especially warm from the oven. Really wish I could reach into my computer screen and take one now!! Eb x
Michelle says
Thanks Eb, I'd be lying if I said I didn't eat them cold as well! But fresh from the oven...heavenly!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
Those chef's table meals are just magical, aren't they?! Your Lemon Madeleines are absolutely lovely—I can't believe they're so easy to make! Thank you for bringing them to #CookBlogShare!
Michelle says
Thanks Michelle, yes those experiences are so worth it. I have to control myself when I make these as I eat far too many! x