A Citrus Twist: Baking Lemon Madeleines for Tea Time
Lemon Madeleine
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to whisk until well combined.
- Add in the cake flour and baking powder, mixing gently until the batter is smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate the cooled melted butter and fresh lemon juice, stirring until fully combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C) and grease the madeleine pan with butter.
- After chilling, give the batter a quick stir. Transfer it to a piping bag and pipe into the madeleine molds, filling each about 85%.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan. Enjoy your delightful Lemon Madeleines!
In the quiet of the kitchen, the scent of fresh lemon filled the air as the eggs were whisked to a frothy perfection. Lemon Madeleines were always a favourite when it came to tea-time treats—simple to make but bursting with flavour. As the sugar was gradually folded into the eggs, the batter took on a light, airy texture, a promise of the delicate treats to come.
Sifting in the cake flour and baking powder required a gentle hand. Mixing too vigorously could ruin the light texture that made Madeleines so irresistible. Slowly, the mixture became smooth and uniform, ready for the next steps that would give these French pastries their signature flavour.
The butter had been melted and left to cool, and now it was time to fold it into the batter. Its richness added a luxurious touch, while the fresh lemon juice brought a brightness that would balance the sweetness. With a final stir, the batter was ready. But, of course, the secret to perfect Madeleines was patience.
Allowing the batter to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes gave the flavours time to meld and ensured the characteristic dome shape would form during baking. While the batter chilled, the madeleine pan was carefully greased, every detail attended to in preparation for these delicate pastries.
Once the batter had chilled, it was quickly stirred, then piped into the moulds, filling each just enough to create that golden, scalloped shape when baked. Sliding the tray into the oven, the anticipation built as the scent of lemon and butter began to fill the kitchen once more.
After just 15 minutes, the madeleines emerged from the oven, their edges perfectly golden and their centres light and airy. Allowing them to cool for a few minutes was the hardest part, but soon they were ready to be gently lifted from the pan.
Biting into a warm lemon madeleine was like tasting sunshine—a burst of citrus against the buttery, tender crumb. Each bite was delicate yet full of flavour, the perfect companion to a cup of tea. The lemon added just the right amount of brightness, making each bite feel fresh and light.
These little pastries had a way of turning any moment into something special. Whether shared with friends or enjoyed alone, Lemon Madeleines were the perfect treat to brighten any day.
