Friday, October 15, 2010

Madeleines



Madeleines or 'petites madeleines', shell shaped sponge like cookies, originate from the Lorraine region of France and where made famous by the early 1900's novelist, Marcel Proust.  In his novel "Temps Perdus"..."in Search Of Time Lost", the simple act of tasting a madeleine cookie unleashes past childhood memories for the narrator, and through a better understanding of  his past, insight into himself...... "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes" Marcel Proust



Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda (2pinches)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
pinch of salt
zest of a lemon


In a mixing bowl beat the eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and pinch of salt, until light and fluffy. Sift the flour and baking soda and fold into the wet ingredients. Fold in the melted butter and lemon zest.  Spoon into prepared fluted tins, making sure not to over fill. Bake in a preheated 350º F oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Makes 24




14 comments:

  1. These look so lovely...I would love a plateful with a cup of tea. Thank you for sharing these with me. I need to get a madeleine mold. Have a great Friday!

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  2. These look so delicious! I've never tried making my own madeleines (mainly because I do not have a mold), but I definitely will keep this recipe in mind when I do!

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  3. Anna, I love these cookies, brings back childhood memories when I was staying in my hometown which is a small town called Ipoh north of where I am staying now. My mum used to have a bag of these cookies in stock all the time. I guess if I want to bake these cookies, I need to invest in a mould.

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  4. Monet, guess what I'm doing right now as I respond to comments posted? You probably guessed right. I'm actually enjoying a madeleine with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea.

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  5. Thanks Angie, I'm so glad I invested in a good madeleine mold.

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  6. Quay Po, I'm so glad that they brought back fond childhood memories for you.

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  7. Peggy, The recipe is so simple but the mold is essential. I'm glad I finally invested in one. They are so pretty, perfect served alone or with a creamy custard.

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  8. These madeleines are so pretty, they are actually one of my favorite sweet treats :) A few weeks ago I ran across one of these pans and was about to purchase, then of course I quickly remembered-I can't bake cookies-I am beyond bad at it :(

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  9. Simple yet gorgeous little bits of heaven. I love baking cookies, I usually make a big batch once a week then freeze for the kid's lunches. Imagine having these elegant little beauties in the lunch bag? I'm going to have to get me one of those molds. Great recipe, sounds very tasty too.

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  10. I love madeleines, these look amazing!

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  11. Magic, they are impressive looking cookies but you can't ask for a more simple recipe. You shold give them a try.

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  12. Ava, I'm really glad I indulged and bought myself the the madeleine mold. You hit the nail on the head,these were super SIMPLE to make, and I don't think you really can go wrong with the recipe.
    I'm surprised you have enough cookies to freeze with your young munchkins in the house.LOL

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  13. Dimah, thanks for the comment. Madeleines are so lovely and yet so simple to make.

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