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Here are some small tasty French butter cakes called Madeleines. These cakes are shaped into small shells through the use of a ‘Madeleine pan.’ Small tasty cakes that are surprisingly easy to make. These tasty little cakes are a great snack or as part of breakfast. I like to have a little bit of citrus in these cakes for a subtle flavor which helps you pair it with your favorite coffee or tea.

History

Madeleines are small, shell-shaped sponge cakes that originated in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. Many people associate it with the town of Commercy, France and today remains a quintessential French pastry. Their history dates to the 18th century, with many legends explaining both their creation and name. The most popular story holds that a young servant or baker named Madeleine Paulmier improvised the cakes for the Duke of Lorraine, Stanislas Leszczyński, around 1755, and they were subsequently named in her honor. Other tales link the name to a girl called Madeleine who sold hot cakes at the Palais-Royal. Another story cites the pastry chef Jean Avice in the 19th century, while some traditions connect the shell shape to pilgrims’ emblems on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Regardless of which legend is true, madeleines are firmly associated with France and are celebrated as a national French treat.

Madeleines

A French butter cake molded into shells

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings: 24 cakes

Course: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: French

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Butter (one regular stick, 4oz.)
2 Eggs
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Grated Orange peel (finely grated)
1 1/4 Cup all-purpose Flour or cake flour
2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar

Equipment

1 Electric mixer
1 large mixing bowl for mixer (if using a stand mixer)
1 medium bowl about 1 1/2 quart
1 spatula
1 cheese grater
1 serving spoon to help fill madeleine pans
1 plate for grating orange
1 set of measuring cups
1 Set of measuring spoons
1 non stick cooking spray with flour
1-2 Regular Madeleine pans

Method

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F
Grate orange using a cheese grater with small holes.
Using mixer, combine butter and sugar and mix well.
Add eggs and vanilla and lemon or orange rind. Mix well. You want to mix for at least 45 seconds on medium speed.
Add flour 1/3rd at a time. and mix well in between each addition.
After all of the flour has been mixed well. Spray Madeleine pans with non-stick cooking spray with flour.
Fill Madeleine pans about 3/4 full.
Place in the oven @350 Degrees F. for 10 minutes.
when they come out of oven they should look like this…