09 July 2015

Madeleines - Classic French Teacakes

Madeleines  - Classic French Teacakes / www.delightfulrepast.com

Hold on! Aren't madeleines scalloped like shells? I should have titled this Madeleines - Classic French Teacakes in a Classic English Pan! Madeleines are shaped like shells, but I don't currently have a madeleine pan. So I use an English mince pies/jam tarts pan instead. But you can use whatever pan you have.

To figure out how much batter to use, measure how much water it takes to fill the cups in your pan to the very brim and then reduce it a bit. You need them to be quite full so that they will form the characteristic madeleine "hump" but not so full that they will overflow and come out malformed. Mine held exactly 2 tablespoons of water, so my #40 scoop (0.8 ounces/1.5 tablespoons) was perfect.

Madeleines - Classic French Teacakes (made in an English mince pies tin!) / www.delightfulrepast.com


I like my little round "English" Madeleines so much, I may make them this way forever. It's the perfect little 4-bite cake to go with a cup of tea. I know people are crazy about macarons, but give me a madeleine any day. Macarons are altogether too sweet and sugary for me. What is your favorite little sweet bite to have with a cup of tea (or coffee, if you must)? 

Update 08/24/17: Just posted about other classic French teacakes: Financiers and Visitandines.


Madeleines - Teacakes / www.delightfulrepast.com

Madeleines


(Makes about 1 1/2 cups batter*)

6 tablespoons (3 ounces/85 grams) unsalted butter
2/3 dip-and-sweep cup (3.33 ounces/94 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon tapioca flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup (3.5 ounces/99 grams) sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* The number of madeleines it makes depends on the size. If your pan holds the #40 scoop I used, it will make 15. So in order to not waste my extra three scoops of batter, I just pop it into a custard cup and make a cupcake. 

1 Melt butter; set aside at room temperature. It should be still warm, but not hot, when you add it to the batter at the end.

2 In small bowl, sift together flour, tapioca flour, baking powder and salt.

3 In 1.5-quart mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar with electric mixer for 3 minutes, until pale yellow and fluffy. Whisk in orange zest and vanilla extract. Lightly whisk in flour in three additions. Lightly whisk in melted butter. Cover and refrigerate batter for an hour.


Madeleines in Mince Pies Tin / www.delightfulrepast.com

4 Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4. Lightly spray pan with cooking spray (or do the butter and flour thing). Set pan in a rimmed baking sheet. My pan fits perfectly inside a 13x9x1-inch quarter-sheet pan. Scoop batter into pan. Bake for about 12 to 16 minutes, or until cakes are golden with slightly browned edges (or not) and spring back when touched lightly. Baking time will depend on the size of the madeleines.


Madeleines - Teacakes / www.delightfulrepast.com


5 Turn out the teacakes onto a pristine kitchen towel. You will likely need to give the pan a couple of sharp raps to loosen the stubborn ones. Place them bottom side up on wire rack to cool. Dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.


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Jean

64 comments:

Debra Eliotseats said...

I don't have an appropriate pan either. Glad to see that one can improvise.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Debra. And I must say, Eliot is adorable!

Lorrie said...

I do have a pan that I used once, years ago. I think I used too much batter because they were misshapen. I really should try again.
Yours look delicious and PERFECT!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Lorrie. Yes, using just the right amount of batter is key. Do try again!

Audrey said...

I will have to check my cupboard to see what kind of pan I can use as a substitute, because I don't have "the right pan" either but these look so scrumptious.

Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays link up. Hope to see you back next week.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Audrey, thank you! I hope you'll find something that will work. Even if you used a regular muffin pan, it would work if you just put not more than 2 tablespoons of batter in each cup.

Angie's Recipes said...

I have a pan, but only used once or twice and totally forgot about it. Muffin tins work great too :-))
Yours look very pretty!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Angie. I like a pan that does more than one thing. And, yet, when I find my "ideal" madeleine pan I'll probably get it!

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Wow these look amazing and thanks for sharing the recipe to make them!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Julie, thank you! They're really easy.

Richard Sheppard said...

Those cookies sure look delicious! I don't care if the shape isn't quite right, how it tastes is all that matters. I love your tasty deserts!

The Cranky said...

Making these this weekend, oh yes yes I am. Thank you tons for sharing your recipe. I love madeleines, no matter their shape, and you can't find a decent one for love nor money around here.
I love a wee slice of angel food cake with my tea... simple, not too sweet, and very light.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Richard. Those of us who don't care if they're shell-shaped or not are probably rebels!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jacqueline, I'm so glad! It's just a small batch so you can have a little something with your tea without eating too much.

Linda Kay said...

Jacqueline, you make my mouth water. I wasn't hungry until now!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Linda! Wish I had a few left for today!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Jean, your tea cakes look delicious! I have never made them because I don't have a pan. Thanks for suggesting another one to use. I must say they would be a perfect little treat with my tea as I generally just sip my tea without a sweet. A little something would be nice. My hubby, on the other hand, can put away a huge slice of pie or any number of cookies with his. Enjoy your weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sandi, thank you! My husband can put away huge quantities, too!

April J Harris said...

What beautiful Madeleines, Jean! I love the pretty round shape. I've pinned this post to my Teatime board on Pinterest to try soon. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon said...

Your teacakes are darling. I have to say I really love pans of any kind. Great presentation.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you! Appreciate the Pins, too, because I haven't yet really figured out Pinterest. :-\

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Madonna! I must admit I love making "cute" little foods!

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Jean! There you are with just the right garnish to make the dish look fabulous--squiggles of lemon zest with a sprinkling of powdered sugar!

It is never a problem for me to use the wrong pan (improvise) as long as the taste is good. I do like the less sweet teacakes with a citrus undertone.

What I want to know is how you got all your tea cakes so uniform...you probably measured instead of my dump and pour method!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sue, thank you so much! And, yes, you've caught me being precise again -- I always measure so that all my little treats are identical!

Sarah Coller said...

They're so pretty! Thanks for the recipe!

Sara | Belly Rumbles said...

Just proves you don't need a fancy pan to make something that tastes awesome.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sarah, thank you. I hope you'll give them a try soon!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

That's right, Sara! But then I like to "make-do" whenever I can and resist the urge to own every possible kitchen gadget and pan! :D

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Jean, thank you for using a different pan than the traditional Madeleine pan! I have never made them because I don't have a pan, but thanks for the inspiration to try something that I may have. They look like the perfect little treat with a cup of tea.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you,Kitty. I *am* trying to simplify -- not have so many single-use items taking up space.

Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen said...

Jean, these are gorgeous Teacakes. I can so imagine serving them at a party and have everyone ooo and ahhh. :-) So pinning for later.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kristi, thank you. Much appreciated!

Stephanie said...

Oh Jean, these are almost too pretty to eat....almost :) Not only are they stunning, but they also sound absolutely delicious!

Thank you so much, sweet friend, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs!

Lucy @ Bake Play Smile said...

Oh I love that you didnt need to use a madeline tin for this!! They look absolutely delicious!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Stephanie, thank *you* so much!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Lucy. I'm glad you appreciated that! I already have too many pans!

Margaret D said...

I bet they taste delicious...they certainly look good.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, whiteangel. Yes, I love the orange flavor, but they're also tasty with lemon zest or just vanilla.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

I have never thought to make these using another pan, and have been putting off doing so until I got a Madeleine tin. Not sure why? Thanks for the recipe :)

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

Your madaleines are beautiful! The only thing about them is that they're really good on the day you make them and then they're good for something else. I can make them when someone's coming over and now I want someone to come over so I can try this recipe!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tandy, yes, I was wondering why it took me so long to think of it! Hope you'll try them soon and let me know how they turned out for you.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Maureen! The batter holds well in the refrigerator, so you could make half a batch at a time. I don't know exactly how long it holds up in the frig; I'll have to experiment.

Elsie said...

Now I want to have a tea party and make these! Thank you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Oh, Elsie, I hope you will! And do let me know how you liked them!

Bernideen said...

I first made Julia Child's recipe after reading an article about them. I have the baking trays that are seashell shaped and love them. Thanks for another great posting!

Sylvia said...

My these sure look good! I have always wanted to make these but don't have the right pan either. I do believe I have one like this, I'll have to check and see. Thanks for sharing!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Bernideen, thanks! I'm sure one day I'll break down and buy the proper pans, but in the meantime ... Don't they go wonderfully with tea? (And that's what we're all about!)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sylvia. I suppose you could even try them in a standard-size muffin pan, just putting 1.5 tablespoons of batter in each cup.

Dannielle from Zamamabakes said...

Jean
These little treasures of yours look absolutely delicious! Thanks for joining in with our Fabulous Foodie Friday fun.
Gorgeous photographs too.
Hope you're having a lovely week :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dannielle (Zamama!), thank you so much (especially about the photos!). Hope you're having a lovely week, too!

TexWisGirl said...

they look yummy!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, TexWisGirl! I do love them.

Swathi said...

I don't have the pan that is why not yet made the madeline, but your recipe looks like I can make them. My kids will love it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Swathi, I'm sure the kids will like these. And they go so wonderfully with tea!

Daniela said...

They're so suitable with a cup of hot tea, perfect to allay the thirst during this so warm period of the year... actually, tea is perfect in every season to me, i couldn't live without it in the late afternoon ... I was just going to prepare it !

Thank you once more,
sending hugs
Dany

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dany, thanks so much! Yes, I drink hot tea in all sorts of weather, too. Hope you'll enjoy these treats with your tea soon.

Mimi said...

These just look divine Jean! I wanted to thank you for your lovely comment on my blog a while back. I was away, so missed it! I must make Madeleines again. I have the little tin and everything! Love, Mimi x

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mimi! Hope you had a lovely time away!

Maiah Harrison said...

Ohhh, I would like to try this recipe... I am dreaming of visiting France right now, this will Help keep my dream alive, lol...

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Maya, thanks so much! A tea fan like yourself will surely enjoy them (*and* the dream!).

Unknown said...

The cookies look totally yummy.. a perfect snack for tea time

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Menaka. And they are organic, of course!

Jeanie said...

Yes you do!!! Thanks!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, so glad I could help! I do love a perfectly textured madeleine with a nice cuppa tea!