…at least my hero seems to think, and honestly I can’t disagree. I am referring to that spongy, buttery bite of goodness that is the Madeleine. The much beloved quintessential French cake that Marcel Proust described as “a little shell of cake, so generously sensual beneath the piety of its stern pleating…” Sounds like a recipe for romance to me!
Rumor has it, Louis XV called this tiny pastry “Madeleine” for the first time in 1755 in honor of his father-in-law’s cook Paulmier. His wife introduced them soon afterwards to the court in Versailles and the rest is confectionary history! Quite the pedigree for this deceptively simple mini cake.
What else is one to do on this beautiful Annapolis afternoon? Bake Madeleines of course. My choice today is lemon lavender cake with a lemon vodka glaze…commence drooling.
First, enlist help from a cute baking assistant and have her locate the Madeleine pan…just tell her to find the shell pan…she knows where it is. This recipe will make 24 Madeleines.
Gather your ingredients. Eggs, butter and lemon zest should be at room temperature and please, gentle with the creaming, it is a delicate cake after all. I don’t use cake flour but I do double sift it with the dry ingredients. Looking for culinary lavender? I order from here.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried lavender
½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2 large eggs at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon extract
½ teaspoon lemon zest
Place the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt into a small bowl. Add lavender and stir. Set aside.
Place butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest in a medium bowl, and mix until thickened and almost double in volume, about 2 minutes.
Add flour mixture to creamed mixture and mix until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. The batter will thicken as it rests.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or oil and butter your Madeleine pan cavities.
Spoon one Tablespoon of batter into each mold. It will not entirely fill the mold but it will spread as it bakes.
Bake for 12 minutes or until puffed and golden brown around the edges. The madeleines will spring back to the touch when done.
Let cool 10 minutes, carefully loosen the edges of each madeleine with a butter knife. Release madeleines to a cooling rack, and let cool completely.
Try not to eat the whole tray there is more to come…
For lemon syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Bring to boil the syrup ingredients and remove from heat. Brush Madeleines with syrup and allow them to harden slightly …
Add a beautiful Annapolis afternoon, a delightful front porch and an exceptional cup of tea ( or glass of wine) and you have the makings of a perfect, romantic time for two…at least until nap is over!
A Day of Small Things... 
Your baking assistant is adorable! And I, too, love madelaines! They don’t look too difficult — I may have to try these because I’m a sucker for lemon. Now I need a “shell pan!”
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Actually not very hard to make at all but always an impressive addition to an event! The trick is the room temperature ingredients and light creaming. They never last long in our house
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Yummy Madeleines! Almost too pretty to eat! You have a charming and cute assistant. 🙂
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Almost too pretty to eat… But we manage though. The baking assistant takes her salary in cookies and cupcakes..pretty good deal.
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What fun to have such a cute little assistant in your kitchen! Your Madeleines look wonderful and I bet they taste lovely with those berries. I think we have the same Kitchen Aid! Thanks for sharing and enjoy those little cakes with your tea.
Blessings,
Sandi
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I love my kitchen aid. Actually this one is new. My original one had a malfunction and the glass bowl was thrown across the room…a little scary. Kitchen aid send a brand new mixer with apologies…6 years after the original purchase. I like an honest company that stands behind their product.
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Dear Amy:
Looks like the Princess is getting some baking training and what a great time to start. I l\haven’t made any Madeleines lately but definitely have in the past and have the pans. I shall copy your recipe and call them “Princess Madeleines”! Thanks for sharing and linking.
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I shall call them Princess Madeleines as well…she certainly enjoys eating them!
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Oh yum! These sound delicious! Can’t wait to try them. And it looks like you have a great little helper in the kitchen! Thanks so much for visiting Inspiration Thursday. Hope your week is awesome!
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Not sure how I got anything done without her…so what if everything takes twice as long!
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What a cute assistant you have! These sound so delicious. I know I would love them! May just need to get me one of those ‘shell’ pans. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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Home Goods baking section (the only section I really shop in anymore) is the place for inexpensive good quality bakeware.
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What a darling baking assistant! And these look just fabulous. So happy to visit today from the fav things hop. I love your blog and now following. Mine is suziesview dot you know the word 🙂
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I will be right over to check it out
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What a beautiful little daughter you have to help you bake! I bake with my 3 year old granddaughter. It’s such an enjoyable trait to pass on. Your Madeleine sound delicious with their lemon glaze. i have to buy a special pan to make them!
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I think Home Goods has a great selection of inexpensive good quality bakeware…it don’t shop their often but I do enjoy that section.
Our Princess is a delight and always enjoys helping in the kitchen.
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I bet your home baked madeleines are yummy!
Thanks for sharing at SYC.
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Good and already gone!
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Your daughter in that little smocked dress…the cutest!!
The Madeleines sound wonderful. I’d have mine with a little coffee.
Thank you for being a steady friend of Thoughts of Home. We love having you.
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A little southern influence with the dress! I’ve got the coffee as well…
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I would bake all of the time with an assistant as cute as yours 🙂
Happy TOHOT!
As always, we are glad you are here.
Laura
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Thank you…she is a delight !
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I love madeleines and yours turned out beautifully! I think your cutie pie assistant has something to do with that.
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They are fun to make and quick to disappear!
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It looks so yummy. I wish my daughter was still that age, enjoy!
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Thank you! I waited a long time to be a Mama and enjoy every minute of it.
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Amazing post! I can’t wait to try the recipe! 😉 Your little one is too cute!
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The Madeleines are almost as adorable as your little girl!! Thanks for sharing on Inspiration Thursday 🙂 🙂
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Thank you for the great party !
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oh how delicious!! I made madeleines one time, they are so good, I need to make them again!! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things! Angelina @ Peonies & Orange Blossoms
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My pleasure…the are fun to make but don’t last long in the jar!
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I have featured your post on Thursday Favorite Things!
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So excited and honored! Thanks for all the inspiration each week!
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Oh yummm! What sweet photos of tea in the garden with Madeleine’s.
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What a delightful afternoon it was!
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What a darling AND delicious tutorial! Thank you for sharing with us this week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth!
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My pleasure. Thank you for the uplifting and inspiring link party!
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Those madeleines are so lovely, just like your beautiful little darling! I have a madeleine pan which I have been intending to use for a couple of years now and your post and recipe just might have inspired me to get busy and do it. I am a fan of French pastries and the stories behind these sweet shell shaped “little cakes” is so very interesting to me. Thanks for sharing your recipes for the madeleines and syrup! By the way, I have been collecting rolling pins for years and your collection in the wire basket is beautiful!
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Let me know how they turn out. They really lend themselves to a variety of garnishes and add in ingredients.
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I have never heard of madeleines…..I have learned something new today! They look absolutely delicious!!
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It was a delight!
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Just letting you know that this post was featured today on my blog special features. Congratulations and have a great weekend.
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So humbled. Thank you.
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Oh I love madeleine! I am a bit late to the party due to my college semester finals but I am so glad I am here now. Thank you for joining TOHOT. Fantastic post, have a great week!
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They don’t last long in our house. I love how they lend themselves well to a variety of add on ingredients
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Your daughter looks like a princess. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day! Blessings, Martha
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I love being a Mama…it is a true joy!
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Your madeleines look fabulous. Such a pretty vignette too. Your little helper is adorable. I have never made them, but I shall i n the future. Thank you for sharing at DI&DI.
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Thank you!
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Amy, these madeleines look so scrumptious! I’ve never had them, so I’ll definitely be trying out this recipe. Your baking assistant is too cute and I hope you had a lovely time on your tea date.
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They are a show stopper…and rather easy to make. They will soon be a family favorite!
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They look YUMMY!
So happy to have you sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
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Always a pleasure.
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I’ve used my Madeleine pan once and that was over a year ago. Thanks for the recipe and reminder.
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One of my favorites to make! Always a hit.
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Oh, I would love to try and make these. Perfect for a tea party! Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays!
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My pleasure!
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Those madeleines look delicious, and your helper is so cute!! I bet you both had a wonderful time cooking together!
Thank you so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration, I hope you have a wonderful week!
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She is a joy and the best helper ever!
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Love it! This is perfect!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Friday Favorites! I would love for you to join me at mustlovehome.com for the Wonderful Wednesday Link Party…and enter our $40 PayPal Cash Giveaway for May!! Hugs – Christine at Must Love Home
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Headed over right now!
Thanks
Amy
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Your daughter is too cute!! I love madeleines, one of my favorites!! Congrats! You’ll be featured this week at Simple & Sweet Fridays. Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Jody
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So excited! Thank you for featuring my little blog. Yes, she is the joy and light of our home! I am honored to be her Mama
Hugs
Amy
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Those look delicious and your little assistant is very cute! Thank you for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
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Thank you
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Thanks for sharing on peace, love, link-up!
I’m happy to let you know that you are going to be featured on our next party which starts this friday at 6! Stop by and share anything else you might be working on!
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Awesome news! See you Friday evening.
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she is such a cutie..and indeed you bake a wonderful one 🙂
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An adorable assistant! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Snickerdoole! It looks incredible and makes a lovely presentation! Pinning.
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Thank you she is a joy! Your new linky party looks like it will be awesome.
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