Madeleines are very small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell shape. These delightful mini cakes are immortalized by Marcel Proust in his novel Remembrance of Things Past, Volume 1: Swann’s Way. Though I have not read the book, the renown Madeleine episode has been well quoted and his description of these scalloped cakes dipped in tea is enough to make me want to try them.
To make Madeleines, a special pan with shell-like indentations is needed. These pans can be found in specialty kitchen stores and come in two sizes – regular and minis. I have both sizes as the first time I wanted to get them, it so happened our city paper had an article on these little cakes and all the kitchen stores ran out of the regular sized ones. The stores ordered more pans and I eventually got mine after the “madness” wore off. I also found silicone ones which I have yet to try out.
I decided to go gluten-free this time so that everyone in the family can enjoy them. I searched on the web and found Luane’s Cookies Gluten-Free Chocolate Madeleines which I adapted and flavored with that huge bottle of orange blossom water sitting in my pantry. Although I filled the indentations about two thirds full, they did not totally fill out after baking. Still I thought they were just fine and very pretty. If you prefer larger pieces, you should fill it all the way but you will likely end up with only 18 to 20 small cakes.
These Madeleines are truly delightful! They are light, airy, and mildly sweetened. My only complaint is that they disappeared far too quickly. I highly recommend dusting them with powdered sugar.
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:27]
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 8)
kristy says
May 18, 2011 at 2:01 amOooo…such lovely and tempting madeleines! Too bad I don’t have the mould for this. Do you think the kuih bahulu one can use for this? hahaha…. That would be so cool! You have a good day.
Blessings, Kristy
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 12:03 amKristy, I think the kuih bahulu mold should work. Just grease it well with butter. I bought the kuih bahulu mold during my last visit and forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
jay says
May 18, 2011 at 6:56 amvery healthy n fab..nicely clicked dear..
Tasty Appetite
Event: Letz Relishh Ice Creams
Erin says
May 18, 2011 at 7:53 amWhat beautiful cookies! Light and refreshing for spring – perfect!
kitchen flavours says
May 18, 2011 at 9:13 amLooks so elegant and delicious! I have not bought any madeleines pans yet, even though it has been on my list of items that seems to get longer! Looking at your madeleines, makes me want to get the pan ASAP!
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 12:04 amIt took me a long time to get the pans and try my hand at these. I am glad I did and will definitely be making more in the coming days. 🙂
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
May 18, 2011 at 9:46 amThose are gorgeous. I love the orange touch to them. My mom used to make the best madeleines (she is from Europe after all). I wonder what she did with her pan now that she can’t really bake anymore. Hmmmmmmm
Faith says
May 18, 2011 at 10:29 amYour Madeleines are gorgeous, Biren! I would love to make them…I think it’s time for me to buy a Madeleine tray! 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
May 18, 2011 at 10:45 amI’m so glad to find this, Biren! My hubby loves Madeleines so much…but I really haven’t thought of making them myself. I’m sure he’ll be delighted if I can make some for him.
I’ll be trying this as soon as I get my madeleines pan!
Thanks so much for sharing! :-*
Belinda @zomppa says
May 18, 2011 at 10:56 amI adore madelines! And love these with orange blossom even more!
Anncoo says
May 18, 2011 at 12:34 pmBiren, I bought 3 madelines pans from Daiso and the pans still sitting in my cupboard. Must make this soon!
Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.
Biren says
May 18, 2011 at 5:42 pmI have had my pans for a while too. I finally decided that it is time to make these and I am glad I did. They are pretty easy to make and the little cakes are light and airy. Should have no problems finishing them. 🙂
Juliana says
May 18, 2011 at 3:27 pmOh! Your madeleines look so delicate and I love the idea of orange blossom…Great pictures! Hope you are having a great week Biren 🙂
Peggy says
May 18, 2011 at 3:41 pmI’ve always wanted to make madeleines, but don’t have the proper pan. It looks like I’ll have to order one soon, because your orange blossom version sounds absolutely delicious!
Tiffany says
May 18, 2011 at 5:26 pmBiren, Orange Blossom is my new favorite ingredient! These Madeleines are beautiful!
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 12:11 amI am trying to use up some of that orange blossom water as it comes in a relatively large bottle and very little is used for a recipe. Good thing it goes really well in desserts. 🙂
Jasmine says
May 18, 2011 at 8:10 pmthey are just extremely GORGEOUS! (: look exactly like how you described it to be. so mouthwatering! and orange blossom is a new flavour to me 😀 i saw guar gum. what can i replace that with?
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 12:17 amThanks Jasmine! Guar gum is used in gluten-free baking to bind the flours. For a non gluten-free version, combine the measurements for all the flours (rice, tapioca, and potato) and use about 100g of all-purpose flour. Omit the guar gum but use the rest of the ingredients.
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
May 19, 2011 at 3:29 amHi Biren! You know I’m just looking at these beautiful madeleines…and I totally wish that you live near my house. I will do cleaning so I’d like to have a piece or two (or more!!). I once thought of buying those special baking pans, but I knew better, I wouldn’t be making it so often. Then today I look at your recipe and it made me feel like I can bake it. =P We’ll see…
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 7:24 amOh Nami, you don’t have to do any cleaning. I would love to have you join me for tea and you can certainly have more than two. Maybe we can even bake them together. 😉
Nami @ Just One Cookbok says
May 20, 2011 at 5:14 pmHeeheehee… I shall remember this offer! 😉
rebecca says
May 19, 2011 at 3:43 amadore madeleines need to go home and use my mould again fun
Lucy @ Lucy eats says
May 19, 2011 at 5:49 amHow very very pretty! I want to hunt myself a mould..
Jeannie says
May 19, 2011 at 6:54 amSo yummy looking! I love kuih bahulu so I am guessing this would be even more tasty judging from the ingredients!
Joanne says
May 19, 2011 at 7:36 amI love how madeleines are so simple but yet also so delicious! the orange flavor infusion is a great touch!
Melissa says
May 19, 2011 at 8:46 amLove orange-flavored things…particularly when they are light and delicate like this recipe. I may try these for a gluten-intolerant friend’s birthday! Wrapped up in a pretty box, they will be a sweet treat!
Biren says
May 19, 2011 at 2:50 pmHi Melissa, thanks for visiting! Yes, these will make a lovely and thoughtful gift for a gluten intolerant friend. I am sure she will appreciate it. 🙂
Angie's Recipes says
May 19, 2011 at 1:59 pmThose madeleines look so pretty and I like the addition of orange blossom!
Megan @ pipandebby says
May 19, 2011 at 3:08 pmThese are beautiful! They look sooo delicious!
Maya@Foodiva's Kitchen says
May 19, 2011 at 5:45 pmMadeleines must be the French version of our kuih bahulu, although I imagine ours must be full of gluten! I think your madeleines look delightful and that orange blossom flavoring must’ve made them yummier…love these!
Chris's Gourmet Fashion says
May 19, 2011 at 5:49 pmI love madeleines and yours look so good. What a great idea to add orange blossom!
tigerfish says
May 20, 2011 at 4:54 amI have not tried any madeleines before though I see them around , very often in blogs. They always remind me of Kueh Bah Lu.
5 Star Foodie says
May 20, 2011 at 3:19 pmThese madeleines look gorgeous! How delicious with orange flavor and great that they are gluten-free!
Magic of Spice says
May 24, 2011 at 1:48 amYour madeleines are indeed very pretty, in fact they look perfect!
gluten free sponge cake says
July 4, 2011 at 6:06 amNice website! Greetings from Glory Foods.
gluten free sponge cake says
July 4, 2011 at 6:14 amBig love from Scotland to you.
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
July 5, 2011 at 8:27 pmMy, but these are pretty!! I wish I had that huge bottle of orange blossom water in my pantry! Madeleine tins are something of a rarity, aren’t they? 😉 Mine are so beautiful, I’ve been using them as kitchen art instead of baking equipment LOL