RECIPES • HOMEMADE BAKING
Little French butter cakes with delicate golden edges, soft centers, and that beautiful shell shape. Perfect with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
There is something so lovely about pulling a tray of freshly baked madeleines out of the oven. They’re small, buttery, lightly golden around the edges, and just the right size for an afternoon treat.
Madeleines are classic French little cakes, known for their pretty shell shape and tender, sponge-like texture. They look elegant, but they’re surprisingly simple to make at home.
This easy homemade madeleine recipe uses everyday baking ingredients — eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla, and melted butter. A little honey is optional, but adds a delicate sweetness.
My favorite way to enjoy them is while they’re still slightly warm, with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a cup of coffee.
YIELD
About 12–18
PREP
15 Minutes
CHILL
1 Hour
BAKE
9–12 Minutes
✨ Little Z’s Baking Note
That classic little shell shape gets me every time. Madeleines feel like a special bakery treat, but they’re really just simple homemade butter cakes made with a little extra care.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey, optional
- ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- Powdered sugar for dusting
You’ll also need a madeleine pan to create the traditional shell shape.
LET’S BAKE
How to Make Madeleines
01 • WHISK
Whisk the Eggs & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and granulated sugar.
Whisk for about 4-5 minutes, until the mixture becomes pale and slightly fluffy.
This step helps give the madeleines their delicate, light texture.
02 • FLAVOR
Add Vanilla & Honey
Add the vanilla extract and honey, if using.
Gently whisk until combined. The honey adds a subtle sweetness, but the recipe is just as delicious without it.
03 • FOLD
Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture.
Using a spatula, gently fold everything together until just combined.
Try not to overmix the batter, as this can make the madeleines less tender.
04 • BUTTER
Fold in the Melted Butter
Slowly pour the melted, slightly cooled butter into the batter.
Gently fold until the butter is fully incorporated and the batter looks smooth.
Make sure the butter is not hot when you add it, so it doesn’t affect the egg mixture.
05 • CHILL
Chill the Batter
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for at least 1 hour.
This resting time allows the batter to thicken slightly and helps create the classic madeleine shape during baking.
06 • PREPARE
Prepare the Madeleine Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly butter and flour each cavity of a madeleine pan.
Spoon the chilled batter into the molds, filling each about ¾ full.
There’s no need to spread the batter perfectly. It will settle as it bakes.
07 • BAKE
Bake Until Lightly Golden
Bake for approximately 9–12 minutes, depending on your oven and the size of your madeleine pan.
The edges should turn lightly golden, and the centers should spring back when gently touched.
Avoid overbaking, since madeleines are best when they stay soft and buttery in the middle.
08 • SERVE
Cool & Dust with Sugar
Let the madeleines cool in the pan for a few minutes.
Carefully remove them and transfer to a cooling rack.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired.
Enjoy while they’re still slightly warm for the best soft, buttery texture.
🌿 THE SECRET TO GOOD MADELEINES
Chill the batter, prepare the pan well, and don’t overbake. These three little steps make a big difference in getting madeleines with soft centers and beautifully golden edges.
LITTLE BAKING TIPS
Tips for Perfect Homemade Madeleines
Use room-temperature eggs.
They whisk more easily with the sugar
and help create a smooth batter.
Let the butter cool slightly.
Warm melted butter blends smoothly,
but it shouldn’t be hot.
Don’t skip chilling.
Resting the batter helps it thicken
and can encourage the classic little
madeleine hump.
Grease the pan carefully.
Even nonstick madeleine pans benefit
from a light coating of butter.
Watch the baking time.
Madeleines are small and can go
from golden to overbaked quickly.
Start checking at 9 minutes.
SAVE SOME FOR LATER
How to Store Madeleines
Madeleines taste best on the day they’re baked, especially when the edges are still lightly crisp.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
You can also freeze completely cooled madeleines in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Let them thaw at room temperature and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
A LITTLE AFTERNOON TREAT
What to Serve with Madeleines
These little French cakes don’t need much to feel special.
- Freshly brewed coffee or a latte
- Hot black tea or Earl Grey
- A cup of matcha
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- A light dusting of powdered sugar
A Little Homemade Joy
Sometimes the simplest things make an ordinary afternoon feel a little special.
Freshly baked madeleines, a warm cup of coffee, and a few quiet minutes to enjoy something homemade. That’s my kind of little everyday joy.
Simple days. Creative moments. Little joys.
Little Z’s Corner
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