Friday, December 14, 2012

Madeleines

A little history first

Madeleine (pronounced mah-duh-laen) is a small traditional cookie from Commercy a small town in the North East of French in the Lorraine region
It's a soft sponge-like cake in the shape of a shell with a small bump!

The name comes from Madeleine Paulmier, a young maid who created these delicacies for a Duke in 1755. Madeleines became really popular in France because from the 19th century until WW2, train travelers that were crossing the town of Commercy could buy Madeleines from women screaming to sell as much boxes of Madeleines as possible!

Today, Madeleine became a classic cookie that a lot kids (and grownups) enjoy everyday. You can find Madeleines in stores, some bakeries, and they can be flavored with lemon zest, orange blossom, almond flour or also stuffed with chocolate, jam etc. No cinnamon though, please :)


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The recipe

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: approx. 10 minutes

Needed: Madeleine Mold (you can find molds at Sur La Table  and Amazon.com)

Cost: $
 

Ingredients: For approx. 24 Madeleines

- 2 eggs
- 5.3 oz of granulated sugar
- 5.3 oz of flour
- 4.4 oz of melted butter (unsalted)
- half tea spoon of yeast powder
- a pinch of salt and baking soda
- Optional: half tea spoon of vanilla or almond or orange blossom extract, or a pinch of lemon zest


Preparation and Cooking:

- Preheat oven at 400° F.
- Mix eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Whip the mix energetically (I use an electric batter) until the blend becomes more whitish and a bit foamy.
- Add flour and butter little by little to avoid lumps.
- Add any optional flavor (I usually add vanilla extract or orange blossom)
- Tip: even if I use non stick molds, I always spread some butter on them (for more taste, nice coating and more ease to remove the cakes).
- Fill each cavity with the dough (do not overfill it).
- Put it in the oven for 10/12 minutes or until Madeleines become goldish.
- Remove the Madeleines from the mold right after.


Et voilà... Bon appétit!

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