Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Traditional Madeleines (TWD)

I was delighted to find out that Tara from Smells Like Home selected Traditional Madeleines for Tuesdays With Dorie!

What is Madeleine --- is it a cake or a cookie? Well, I think they are a little of both. Essentially, Madeleines are made from a genoise cake batter, and baked in scallop-shaped molds to provide the lovely shape.


Even though I use non-stick, I always generously butter and flour the pan. To fill the madeleine molds, I use a piping bag, which keeps everything neat. If piping bags aren't available, ziplock bags also work perfectly.


I've repeatedly used a recipe from Baking with Julia, which calls for a traditional genoise cake batter. When comparing the two recipes, I noted that this version slightly varies:
- More butter and less eggs - who is to complain about more buttery goodness!
- Refrigeration time - this recipe calls for the batter to set in the frig for 3+ hours. I refrigerated the batter for only 3 hours.
- Leavening - traditional genoise is tricky, as it relies solely on eggs to give the cookie lift, and this recipe calls for a little baking powder.


This pan just came right out of the oven. Those humps are a good sign! I love baking these treats until the edges are a darker brown... the crispy buttery edges are my favorite part...yum! These cookies can be dipped in chocolate, but I like them either plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.




a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2500399153_8e04b68ee1_b.jpg" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2501231850_96e417620a_b.jpg">

Overall, this recipe was very easy and fast to pull together and made just the right amount of cookies - 1 dozen using the large madeleine pan.

After my effort this afternoon, here is the best part...enjoying my treat!

I really enjoyed the buttery flavor and the cakey texture of this madeleine ...delicious!

To see what else is cookin' this week, check out the blogroll at TWD...

31 comments:

  1. Lovely job on these! Love the step by step photos!

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  2. What a great idea to use the pastry bag! You did a fabulous job. I'm still salivating over them...

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  3. Beautiful! I love how golden brown they are!

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  4. They are just lovely--perfect, in fact. Loved your comparison, but which recipe do you like better?

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  5. Gorgeous! I love all the step by step photos.

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  6. Gorgeous photos and fabulous bumps! Hx

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  7. your madeleines look beautiful! great idea on the pastry bag to fill the molds. i love the crispy edges, too :)

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  8. Hmm they look fantastic. Love this last pic showing the inside. Very inviting.

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  9. What a brilliant idea to pipe the batter!! I love that first picture! These look great!

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  10. Lovely cookies. I usually make the genoise from Baking with Julia, so I might try that instead next time.

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  11. You got the bumps! I am green with envy. Great idea to use a piping bag!

    Ulrike from Küchenlatein

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  12. Mmmm, those DO look good. I'm sad I don't have the pan after seeing everyone's lovely cookies.

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  13. ooh, look at your humps!! your madeleines look great, love the browned edges with the cakey inside, i bet it tasted fantastic!

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  14. I love your step by step photos. Using the pastry bag was a great idea. Fabulous job!

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  15. I love the crispy edges, too!

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  16. They look perfect! The crispy edges are my favorite part as well! :)

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  17. They look just lovely! Perfectly done!

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  18. Such perfect shape, and humps! These look fantastic!

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  19. Beautiful! These photos could be in a magazine.

    Rebecca
    http://www.ezrapoundcake.com

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  20. Great tip about the piping bag! I will have to remember that *if* I ever convince my husband to let me have the pan!
    Clara @ I♥food4thought

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  21. Those look divine with the crisp buttery edges!

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  22. I'm with you on the dark edges, I think madeleines should have a bit of color! Yours look scrummy!

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  23. I love them a little crispy. great job;)

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  24. lookit those humps...they look fab!! love the piping bag idea for batter too. i did brownies..now i am feeling madeleine-ish.

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