Lemon Madeleines

In March, I had a Madeleines Madness month such that I tried to make them almost every weekend.  The recipe that I followed is pasted at the end of this blog.  It is very easy to follow because the timing that it provides is quite accurate (very good for a non-pro like me :) ).

I tried on two different madeleines pans, one made of tin and the other one made of non-stick coated aluminum materials. I found the one made of tinplate did not burn as easily and was able to create the golden color that I wanted. The one made of non-stick coated aluminum material cooked too fast and 12 min was too long (10 min was the right time for it).

More photos are posted on flickr.

Lemon Madeleines

ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 tsp. salt
• 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 tsp. almond extract (I skipped on this)
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 4 Tbs. (1⁄2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)

preparation

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Using a pastry brush, heavily brush softened butter over each of the 12 molds in a madeleine pan, carefully buttering every ridge. Dust the molds with flour, tilting the pan to coat the surfaces evenly. Turn the pan upside down and tap it gently to dislodge the excess flour.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar and salt. Using a wire whisk or a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat vigorously until pale, thick and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts. Sprinkle the sifted flour over the egg mixture and stir or beat on low speed to incorporate.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the lemon zest and half of the melted butter just until blended. Fold in the remaining melted butter.

Divide the batter among the prepared molds, using a heaping tablespoon of batter for each mold. Bake the madeleines until the tops spring back when lightly touched, 8 to 12 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and invert it over a wire rack, then rap it on the rack to release the madeleines. If any should stick, use your fingers to loosen the edges, being careful not to touch the hot pan, and invert and rap again.

Let the madeleines cool on the rack for 10 minutes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, dust the tops with confectioners sugar and serve. Makes 12.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Foods of the World Series, Paris, by Marlena Spieler (Oxmoor House, 2004).