There is something undeniably charming about madeleines: sweet, tender, shell-shaped cakes that are impossible to resist. Originating in the Lorraine region of France, these pretty little cakes have long been a beloved treat for children and adults alike.
Madeleines were made famous by Marcel Proust in his novel, In Search of Lost Time, in which a single bite of a madeleine dipped in tea unlocks a rush of childhood emotions for the author.
While tea may have played a role in Proust’s poetic moment, the French typically enjoy madeleines in the morning with coffee or as an afternoon snack (goûter) with a café crème or chocolat chaud. Simple and satisfying, these special cakes can be served plain or glazed with all sorts of toppings.
In fact, in 2021 Ritz Paris Le Comptoir opened a shop on Rue Cambon that has a cult following. Chef Françoise Perret is noted with creations such at the madeleine with a molten heart and cakes filled with fruit compote, caramel, and even chocolate. A fantastic place to visit for madeleine lovers seeking a modern twist on the classic.
I am excited to share a few of my favorite madeleine recipes with you today. If you don’t already have madeleine tins, Click HERE to have some shipped to your door. Or get on the waitlist for Paris 2026, and I’ll take you to my favorite shop for all French culinary essentials!!!
Cherry Almond Madeleines
Batter
¾ cup butter
3 eggs
1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
1 ¾ cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup ground dehydrated cherries
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
¼ teaspoon salt
More butter and flour for preparing pans
Topping
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon almond extract
A few drops of cream
¼ cup sliced almonds.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 madeleine pans generously with butter and dust with flour. Cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer. Add vanilla, almond extract, and eggs one at a time, mixing well with each addition. Add dehydrated cherries and mix to incorporate. Slowly add flour until it is all incorporated. Pipe or scoop the batter into two prepared pans. Bake for about 10-14 minutes until edges are beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and flip the pan to release the cakes and allow them to cool.
Prepare the topping by mixing sugar with the extracts and cream until you have a thick drizzling consistency. Drizzle the topping over the cakes and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Coconut Madeleines
¾ cup butter
3 eggs
1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
1 ¾ cup flour
1 cup shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ teaspoon almond extract
¼ teaspoon salt
More butter and flour for preparing pans
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease madeleine pans generously with butter and dust with flour. Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add extracts and eggs one at a time. Add the salt and slowly add flour until it is all incorporated. Fold the coconut into the batter and scoop or pipe it into the prepared tins. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the edges are beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and flip the pan to release the cakes. Cover tightly as soon as cakes cool and freeze any portion that will not be eaten the same day.
Madeleines have a large surface area, because of this and that i use only butter in my recipe, they are best eaten the same day. If you have uneaten madeleines, you can freeze them to be enjoyed at a later time.
Join me to COOK this summer!!
Thursday, June 26th 6:30-8:30 Appetizers with French Flair – Join us for a lively and flavor-packed evening focused entirely on small bites that are bold enough to make a meal. We’ll kick things off with handcrafted Cosmopolitan Cocktails to set the tone for a night of cooking, creativity, and delicious fun. We’ll start by preparing Focaccia Bread from scratch, infused with herbs and olive oil, then turn it into the most darling Snacking Board you’ve ever seen. Almost too gorgeous to eat! Next, we’ll make Apricot Comte Palmiers by first whipping up a batch of fresh-made Apricot Jam, sweet and tart that will be used for the filling for our Palmiers READ MORE
Thursday, July 17th 6:30-9:00 An Evening of French Culinary Delights Join me for a festive, hands-on cooking class where laughter fills the kitchen and every dish tells a story. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this evening promises to be both entertaining and filled with delightful indulgence. We will begin the merriment by crafting the vibrant Piquillo Pepper Tapenade, smoky and sweet, served on crisp toasts. Our first course will be the oh so French, Creamed Leeks with Seared Scallops. The leeks will be sautéed until tender and topped with perfectly seared scallops that boast a golden crust with a rich, tender interior. For our main course we will prepare and savor Chicken Provencal, filled with garden vegetables READ MORE
I look forward to seeing you soon!
XO Lorie
