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Home » Recipes » Desserts

Classic Madeleine Cookies

Modified: Dec 17, 2024 · Published: Aug 22, 2016 by Jackie · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

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Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 4 reviews
chocolate dipped pistachio madeleines on baking rack

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This Classic Madeleine Cookies recipe makes elegant, shell shaped sponge cakes that melt in your mouth. Dip them in chocolate and chopped pistachios for an indulgent finish.

Madeleine cookies on baking racks, dipped in chocolate and pistachios with chocolate dripped on countertop

What are Madeleine cookies?

Madeleines are traditional French sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape (that comes from being baked in a special Madeleine Pan). We like to refer to them as "cookies", but really they are mini butter cakes with a hint of lemon zest. We love to dunk them in tea or coffee.

These cookies are simple and elegant, which makes them perfect for entertaining. They are a favorite for bridal showers or tea parties. Unlike traditional Chocolate Chip Cookies, Madeleine Cookies have a cake-like crumb, closer to a light & fluffy cupcake.

HINT: DUNK Madeleines in hot tea or coffee for that truly French feeling. Serve with Irish Coffee for an extra special treat.

Jump to:
  • What are Madeleine cookies?
  • Ingredients
  • 🔪 Top tip
  • Tools you need
  • Instructions
  • Featured review
  • Variations
  • 🍪 More cookie recipes
  • Storage
  • FAQ
  • Related recipes
  • Madeleine Cookies recipe

Ingredients

ingredients for Madeleine cookies
  • EGGS: large or extra large eggs
  • SUGAR: granulated sugar
  • VANILLA EXTRACT: we like pure vanilla extract
  • HONEY: local honey is our favorite
  • LEMON ZEST: zest the lemons right before you are ready to use
  • SALT: sea salt or kosher salt (a pinch)
  • ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: good quality AP flour
  • BAKING POWDER: helps the signature Madeleine "bump" to form
  • MILK: whole milk, 2% milk, or nut milk
  • UNSALTED BUTTER: melted butter (cooled to room temperature)
  • PISTACHIOS: (OPTIONAL) we like to add crumbled pistachios for texture & crunch
  • DARK CHOCOLATE (OPTIONAL): melted dark chocolate bar (60% - 70% cacao) for dipping

*see recipe card for quantities.

🔪 Top tip

BRUSH THE PAN WITH BUTTER: we use a non-stick Madeleine pan, but even the best can use a brush of butter before pouring the batter in. Using a pastry brush, brush the pan with melted butter to ensure the edges are slightly crispy.

Tools you need

  • MADELEINE PAN
  • PASTRY BRUSH

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Madeleine cookies on white plate with blue linemen napkin & chocolate dipping sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Beat the eggs and sugar: beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla, honey, lemon zest and salt.
  3. Add flour: add flour and baking powder, alternating with milk, and beat until blended.
  4. Add melted butter: Gradually add cooled melted butter to the flower mixture in a steady stream, beating until just blended.
  5. (OPTIONAL) Dix in pistachios: Add ¼ cup chopped pistachios to mix and stir in.
  6. Spoon batter into pan: spoon approximately 1 T batter into each cookie indentation of Madeleine pan (filling almost to top).
  7. Bake: bake until puffed and brown (about 5 to 7 minutes).
  8. Cool: Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes in pan, then flip onto cooling rack for an additional 15 minutes.
  9. (OPTIONAL) Melt chocolate: melt chocolate bars in double boiler (or in glass bowl over boiling water in a sauce pan).
  10. (OPTIONAL) Dip in Chcolate: Dip Madeleines in melted chocolate, then dip in remaining chopped pistachios.
  11. Set: Set finished madeleines on cooling rack for chocolate to harden (about 20 min).

Featured review

❝ I used this recipe to make madelines for the first time ever and they turned out so delicious!!! I will be using this recipe in the future!!!!! ❞
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Variations

  • Classic French Madeleines: skip steps 5, 9, and 10 (omitting the pistachios and chocolate). This is a classic Madeleine cookie.
  • Sugar Dusting: a light dusting of powdered sugar on a classic Madeleine is a traditional finish you see in French Patisseries.
  • Almond: add a bit of almond extract
chocolate dipped pistachio Madeleine cookies on baking rack with chocolate dripped on countertop

🍪 More cookie recipes

  • Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Sea Salt
  • Mama's Cinnamon Rugelach
  • Teekuchen Cut-Out Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
  • Kolachy Cookies

Storage

  • STORE: Store Madeleines in an airtight container for no more than three days. After that, they loose their crisp edges.
  • DO NOT FREEZE: We do not recommend freezing the batter (or the finished cookies) as some of the signature flavor and texture will be lost.

FAQ

What are madeleine cookies?

Madeleine cookies are small, shell-shaped sponge cakes with a light, airy texture, typically associated with French baking.

Do you need a special pan for madeleine cookies?

Yes, madeleines are traditionally baked in a special pan with shell-shaped molds, which give them their signature shape and texture.

How much batter do I use per cookie?

1 heaping spoonful (approximately 1 Tbsp) will do. Fill each indentation almost to the top.

What is the difference between madeleines and regular cookies?

Madeleines are more like miniature cakes, characterized by their buttery, sponge-like texture, unlike traditional crispy or chewy cookies.

Why are my Madeleine cookies not rising properly?

Madeleine cookies may not rise properly if the batter is overmixed or if the baking powder is old. Ensure that your baking powder is fresh and that you fold the ingredients gently to maintain the batter's airiness.

Can you make madeleine cookies without a madeleine pan?

Yes, it's possible to bake them in a muffin pan or other molds, but the texture and appearance will differ from traditional madeleines.

Why do madeleine cookies have a hump?

The signature hump on the back of a madeleine is caused by the batter resting before baking and the high oven temperature, which helps the cookies rise quickly. The "bump" is a sign that things are going great!

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    Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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🍅 Making this recipe?

  • Please feel free to reach out with questions. We're happy to help.
  • If you enjoyed it, please leave us a comment with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Chocolate Dipped Madeleine Cookies Featured

Madeleine Cookies recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

Print Recipe

Classic Madeleine Cookies are elegant, shell shaped sponge cakes that melt in your mouth. Dip them in chocolate for an indulgent finish.

  • Total Time: 27 mins
  • Yield: 20-24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 4 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 4 Tbsp milk
  • ¾ cup pistachios, finely chopped
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 3.5 oz bars dark chocolate

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla, honey, lemon zest and salt.
  3. Add flour and baking powder, alternating with milk, and beat until blended.
  4. Gradually add cooled melted butter in a steady stream, beating until just blended.
  5. (optional) Add ¼ cup chopped pistachios to mix and stir in.
  6. Spoon approximately 1 T batter into each cookie indentation of Madeleine pan (filling almost to top).
  7. Bake until puffed and brown (about 5 to 7 minutes).
  8. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes in pan, then flip onto cooling rack for an additional 15 minutes.
  9. Melt chocolate bars in double boiler (or in glass bowl over boiling water in a sauce pan).
  10. Dip Madeleines in melted chocolate, then dip in remaining chopped pistachios.
  11. Set finished madeleines on cooling rack for chocolate to harden (about 20 min).

Notes

BRUSH THE PAN WITH BUTTER: we use a non-stick Madeleine pan, but even the best can use a brush of butter before pouring the batter in. Using a pastry brush, brush the pan with melted butter to ensure that the edges are slightly crispy.

  • Author: Superman Cooks
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 7 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 cookies
  • Calories: 245
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 195 mg
  • Fat: 13.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27.5 g
  • Protein: 4.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 39 mg

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Comments

  1. Matt says

    August 22, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Beautiful bake on the madeleines. Would be perfect with afternoon tea!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      September 08, 2016 at 8:44 am

      thanks so much Matt! I love afternoon tea! Not enough opportunities to have it around here...

      Reply
  2. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    August 22, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Yes Jackie! Madeleines and the other french desserts are among my favorite, too! So nice that you and Keith took a class together, it really is an awesome experience. Your madeleines look great, love that they're dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with chopped pistachios!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      September 08, 2016 at 8:45 am

      thank you so much Nicoletta! Yes, it was so much fun to do this together... thanks for the kind words!!

      Reply
  3. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    August 22, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    These look so pretty Jackie! And I bet they taste even better!! I tried making some of my own recently and they were a flop! I'll need to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      September 08, 2016 at 8:46 am

      thank you so much Mary Ann!! They were surprisingly easy, and very tasty too!!

      Reply
  4. The Recipe Hunter (Cook and Enjoy) says

    September 18, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    I just love, love, love your blog and wanted to find out if I can follow you direct from this blog and not through email. If not, then please sign me up for your emails as I would love to see more of your awesome stuff.

    I also would like to know if you may be interested to be a Guest poster with us, and share some of your awesome recipes on our blog?

    Have a look at:
    https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/update-fellow-bloggers-sharing-is-caring-recipe-exchange/ and leave me a note in the comments of this post, with a link to your recipe, if you’re interested. That will be just fantastic. Hope to hear from you soon

    Reply
  5. Amanda Yong says

    February 22, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    I used this recipe to make madelines for the first time ever and they turned out so delicious!!! I will be using this recipe in the future!!!!!

    Reply
    • Jackie says

      February 23, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you so much Amanda! We are thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe! Keep us posted if you make more!

      Reply

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