Bonapeti.com»Recipes»Desserts»Treats»Classic French Chocolate Madeleines

Classic French Chocolate Madeleines

Elena TodorovElena Todorov
Author
47636
Classic French Chocolate Madeleines1 / 3
Madeleines are one of the most iconic small cakes from Lorraine in France. Today, madeleines are a staple of French bakeries and cafés. In the United States and United Kingdom, they are often enjoyed as an elegant afternoon treat or served with coffee as a light dessert.
Favorites
I made it
Add
Report
Preparation
15 min.
Cooking
12 min.
Тotal
27 min.
Servings
20
Make fluffy chocolate madeleines with rich cocoa and buttery flavor. A classic French pastry perfect for coffee, tea or an elegant dessert.

Ingredients

  • eggs - 3
  • sugar - 120 g (4.2 oz)
  • all - purpose flour - 100 g (3.5 oz)
  • cocoa powder - 30 g (1.05 oz)
  • melted butter - 100 g (3.5 oz)
  • baking powder - 1 tsp
  • salt - pinch
  • vanilla extract - 1 tsp
  • powdered sugar - for dusting (optional)
measures

How to make

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy and slightly thickened. This step helps create the soft and airy texture typical of madeleines. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt and mix briefly.

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, folding gently with a spatula until everything is incorporated.

Slowly pour in the melted butter in a thin stream while mixing. Continue folding until the batter becomes smooth, glossy and evenly combined.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling the batter is important because it helps the madeleines develop their signature small “hump” during baking.

Grease a madeleine baking pan with butter and lightly dust it with flour. Fill each cavity with about 1 tbsp of batter, without spreading it completely.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-12 minutes, until the madeleines rise, develop their characteristic shape and smell beautifully chocolatey.

Allow the madeleines to cool slightly before removing them from the mold. Dust them lightly with powdered sugar if desired.

Chocolate madeleines taste best on the day they are baked. For a more elegant dessert, serve them with melted chocolate, caramel sauce or fresh fruit.

Don't miss our recipe for favorite chocolate muffins, a rich and easy dessert everyone loves. See how to prepare delicious keto madeleines, a low-carb twist on the classic French pastry.

Recipe FAQ

Why should the batter be chilled before baking?

Chilling helps create the classic dome or “hump” in the center of the madeleine while baking.

Do I need a special madeleine pan?

Yes. The traditional shell-shaped pan helps create the iconic look and texture.

Can I substitute the cocoa powder?

Yes. You can omit the cocoa powder and replace it with flour to make classic vanilla madeleines.

How long do madeleines stay fresh?

They are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Can madeleines be frozen?

Yes. Once cooled, they can be frozen for up to 1 month and gently reheated before serving.

Why did my madeleines not form the hump?

This usually happens if the batter was not chilled or if the oven temperature was too low.

Tips for preparing madeleines

Use room temperature eggs

Room temperature eggs whip better and create a lighter batter.

Sift the dry ingredients

Sifting the flour and cocoa prevents lumps and makes the texture smoother.

Don’t overmix the batter

Overmixing can make the madeleines dense instead of light and fluffy.

Chill the batter properly

This step is key to achieving the classic madeleine shape.

Grease the pan well

Butter and lightly flour the mold to prevent sticking.

Serve slightly warm

Madeleines taste especially delicious when still slightly warm from the oven.

Rating

5
51
40
30
20
10
Give your rating:
Facebook
Favorites
Twitter
Pinterest