These 15-Minute French Madeleine Cookies Taste Like Soft Pillows of Lemon and Vanilla
Baking the buttery sponge batter in traditional shell molds gives these classic treats crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center.
If you want a fancy but effortless treat for your family tea time, these simple French madeleines are the perfect choice. You just whip up a basic two-egg batter, fold in fresh lemon zest, and bake them until they are beautifully puffed and golden.
Ingredients: 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup (80g) of sugar, ⅔ cup (80g) of all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons (90g) of butter at room temperature, ½ teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of vanilla sugar, and the zest of ½ a lemon.
Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, add the sugar, and beat with a hand mixer until the mixture turns thick, pale, and fluffy.
Grate the lemon zest directly into the bowl, making sure to avoid the bitter white pith. Add the vanilla sugar, baking powder, and sifted flour, then gently fold everything together until smooth.
Add the softened butter to the bowl and stir until it is completely blended into the batter. Spoon the mixture into madeleine molds or small muffin cups.
Bake in an oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes, depending on your mold size, until the centers puff up and the edges are golden brown. Let them cool slightly, then pop them out and serve.
