French Madeleines are a traditional French delicacy. Madeleines are small shell-shaped cakes that have a soft and tender crumb with a distinctively scalloped appearance. They are often flavored with lemon zest, vanilla, or almond extract, and they are commonly enjoyed as a treat with tea or coffee.
Madeleines are a classic example of French cuisine and are closely associated with French baking traditions. They have become popular internationally and are enjoyed in various parts of the world, but they originated in France and remain an iconic part of French culinary culture.
Here's a classic recipe for baking French Madeleines:
**Ingredients:*
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour your Madeleine molds or pans.
2. **Sift Dry Ingredients:**
In a bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. **Beat Eggs and Sugar:**
In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Beat for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is pale, thick, and forms ribbons when the beaters are lifted.
4. **Add Flavorings:**
Mix in the vanilla extract and lemon zest, if using, into the egg-sugar mixture.
5. **Fold in Dry Ingredients:**
Gradually fold in the sifted dry ingredients using a spatula. Do this in batches to avoid overmixing. Be gentle to maintain the airiness of the batter.
6. **Add Melted Butter:**
Pour the melted butter around the edges of the batter. Gently fold the butter into the batter until it's well incorporated. Again, be gentle to avoid deflating the batter.
7. **Rest the Batter:**
Let the batter rest for about 15-20 minutes. This resting time allows the flour to hydrate and the flavors to meld.
8. **Fill the Molds:**
Using a spoon or a pastry bag, carefully fill each Madeleine mold with the batter. Fill them about 3/4 full, as the batter will spread and rise while baking.
9. **Bake:**
Place the Madeleine molds on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers spring back when lightly touched.
10. **Cool and Dust:**
Once baked, remove the Madeleines from the oven and let them cool in the molds for a minute. Gently tap the molds to release the Madeleines. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. **Dust with Powdered Sugar:**
Dust the cooled Madeleines with powdered sugar before serving for a delicate finish.
12. **Enjoy:**
Enjoy your freshly baked French Madeleines with a cup of tea or coffee.
**Note:** The baking time might vary depending on the size of your Madeleine molds and your oven, so keep an eye on them while baking. Traditional Madeleine molds have a shell-like shape, which gives the Madeleines their characteristic appearance.
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