Madeleine Cookies – Immaculate Bites

Are Madeleines Cookies or Cakes?

I call them cookies, but their texture is somewhere in between the two desserts. Madeleines are usually called cakes because they’re spongier than an actual cookie. But they have a little more bite than a cake, so you can hold them in your hand without worrying about crumbling.

I’m not here to debate words anyway. The important thing is how buttery and delicious they are! 😜

Recipe Ingredients

1. Eggs – Eggs whip up and add air for a beautifully like cookie cake. I used the egg white, but the whole egg works fine, too, and gives it a gorgeous color.
2. Sugar – Not only does sugar sweeten these madeleines, but it also creates a subtle caramelization where the batter bakes against the shell formation of the pan. 🤤 
3. Vanilla Extract – Coming in as a powerful flavor enhancer, vanilla extract is here FTW.
4. Flour – Pantry staple, all-purpose flour is at the heart of these cakes (cookies). You’ll add a little baking powder to help with the rise.
5. Butter – A copious amount of butter adds richness and flavor to these little beauties and is a critical ingredient for the light, fluffy texture. 
6. Optional Ingredients – Optionally, you can add salt and grated lemon zest to the batter. You can also dust your madeleines with powdered sugar once they come out of the oven.  

How to Make Madeleine Cookies

Make the Batter

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your madeleine pan or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
• Whip – In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs (or egg whites) and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. (Photos 1-2)
• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl. (Photo 3)
• Combine the flour mixture with the beaten eggs a little at a time and fold using a spatula until all the flour has been added. Add the grated lemon zest if using. (Photos 4-7)
• Butter – Slowly pour the melted butter in and continue folding until thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. (Photo 8)

Make the Madeleines

• Fill Mold – Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine molds, filling each one about three-quarters full. After filling the molds, gently tap the pan on the counter to release air bubbles for an even texture. (Photo 9)
• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges and they spring back when lightly pressed. (Photo 10)
• Cool – Remove the madeleines from the oven and let them cool in the mold for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to completely cool.
• Serve – Once cooled, dust the madeleines with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy your homemade madeleines with a cup of tea or coffee!

Recipe Variations

1. Get chocolatey. Replace 2-3 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder and toss in a handful of mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence. After they’ve cooled, dip half of each madeleine in melted dark or white chocolate.
2. Make them matcha. Add a teaspoon or two of matcha green tea powder to the batter. That’s especially fabulous when you dip half of each matcha madeleine in melted white chocolate chips before digging in.
3. Try orange and almond madeleines. Add the zest of one orange instead of lemon zest, and replace ¼ cup of flour with finely ground almonds. 😋

Tips and Tricks

1. Fully preheat your oven before baking so the madeleines rise quickly and form their iconic hump.
2. Since butter is a crucial ingredient, high-quality, unsalted butter enhances the flavor and texture of your madeleines.
3. Even if your madeleine pan is non-stick, grease it well. Otherwise, the madeleines can stick on the scalloped pan edges.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Madeleines taste best fresh, but you can certainly serve them the next day. You can also freeze them after they’ve completely cooled for up to three months.

If you have leftovers (big if), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. 

What Goes With Madeleine Cookies

Madeleines are a delight with afternoon tea or coffee and a few other fun pastry desserts. Serve them with easy pecan pie bars, red velvet cupcakes, and coffee cake for a teatime your friends won’t forget quickly! 😉

More Bite-Sized Dessert Recipes to Try

1. Cheese Stuffed Strawberries
2. Biscotti
3. Mini Pecan Pies
4. Soft Mini Mandazi
5. Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Watch How to Make It

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This blog post was originally published in February 2013 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video