Wanna know How to Make Lemon Madeleines from scratch? Well, judging from the title of the blog you just clicked on, the answer is yes! Fluffy and soft, light and airy, these bite-size cakes are filled with moist, lemony goodness. The perfect recipe for any lunch box, classy dinner party or anytime you just want a mini treat.
Let’s get right into it!
How are madeleines different from cakes?
Madeleines are essentially cake. Many people have compared the texture and flavour of vanilla madeleines to pound cake but with a slightly more light feel that allows you to have more room for more cake 🙂 In this blog post I share how to make the MOST perfect madeleines every time!
If you want to see more cake recipes check out my favourite Chocolate Cookie Dough Cake and the cutest Mini Funfetti Cake.
Where do I get madeleine pans/moulds?
You can use one of two types of moulds to make madeleines:
- the first is non-stick pans. The good thing about non-stick pans is that they keep the distinct shape of a madeleine as well as being quite easy to clean (most are dishwasher proof). However, despite the name, non-stick pans can be very hard to remove your cakes from so they may stick and break apart.
- the second is silicone moulds. Silicone moulds are a great option for madeleine making as they are simple and easy to use, the madeleines are extremely easy to pop out and easy to clean.
If you want my advice, go for the silicone moulds as they are just a lot less fuss and cause less mess.
What do lemon madeleines taste like?
Madeleines are similar in texture to a vanilla cake but more fluffy and soft. However, in this recipe I designed them to be quite light and airy; the addition of lemon juice not only brings flavour but also reacts with the baking powder in the mixture to create more rise and fluff!
What are madeleines made of?
Madeleines have a very similar recipe to regular vanilla or yellow cake. It starts with the usual beating of your butters, sugars and eggs where you must incorporate quite a lot of air into the mixture which creates that sort of internal soft and fluffy texture. Gently fold in some flour and baking powder, bake them in a 170ºC oven and you’ll have yourself some pretty great madeleines.
Are madeleines french?
Yep, originally madeleines are a small, light cake found in the Lorraine region of North-East France!
What are the most common flavours of madeleines?
There are many different types of madeleines, from light and simple vanilla to strawberry, chocolate, pistachio and even a less traditional cookie dough. Your imagination is really the limit. If you need some inspiration take a look at french macarons, whose flavour combinations are unmatched! And that’s the great thing about madeleines, simply switch a few ingredients and you will have a completely different cake.
In this recipe, I teach you how to make lemon madeleines, however, simply switch the 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice with 1 tsp of vanilla extract and voila! You now have a fully customisable madeleine recipe that you can add just about anything to!
Check out my Youtube Channel for the full recipe video on How to Make Lemon Madeleines from Scratch.
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How to Make Lemon Madeleines From Scratch
Ingredients
For the Madeleines
- 1/2 Cup Softened Butter
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Plain Flour
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
For the Lemon Drizzle
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 1/3 Cup White Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1/2-1 Tbsp Milk
- 1/2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
For the Madeleines
- Preheat your oven to 170ºC
- Mix together the softened butter and white sugar until combined
- Whisk in your eggs until the batter is pale and fluffy- about 2-3 mins
- Gently fold in your flour and baking soda
- Mix in your lemon juice
- Scoop your batter into a greased madeleine pan
- Bake in your preheated oven for about 10-12 mins or until your cakes are golden brown
For the Lemon Drizzle
- Mix together your lemon juice and white sugar
- Then add in your powdered sugar and milk
- Mix until smooth and silky
Assembling the Lemon Madeleines
- Gently, take your madeleines out of their pans
- Drizzle a generous amount of Lemon Drizzle over your cakes
- Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!