Lemon Madeleines

I can provide you with the recipe for Lemon Madeleines, a French sweet temptation that can be presented with an Italian touch. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 130 g of 00 flour
• 130 g of granulated sugar
• 120 g of butter
• 2 whole eggs
• The grated zest of 1 lemon (preferably organic)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/2 packet of baking powder
• Powdered sugar (for decorating, optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Melt the butter and let it cool.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you obtain a light and frothy mixture. This process is important for the final texture of the Madeleines.
4. Gently add the sifted flour with the baking powder and salt, mixing from the bottom up to avoid deflating the mixture.
5. Incorporate the grated lemon zest and mix until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
6. Add the cooled melted butter and combine everything gently with folding motions.
7. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This step helps the Madeleines develop the typical “hump” during baking.
8. Butter and flour the Madeleine mold or use a non-stick spray if you prefer.
9. Fill the molds 2/3 with the batter.
10. Bake the Madeleines for about 10-12 minutes or until golden and with the characteristic raised “hump”.
11. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before removing them from the mold.
12. Once completely cooled, if desired, you can dust the Madeleines with powdered sugar.

Trivia

Madeleines are a classic of French pastry with an intriguing history; it is said that the name derives from a maid named Madeleine Paulmier who served them for the first time at the court of Louis XV. This sweet, of Lorraine origin, also became famous thanks to Marcel Proust who mentioned them in his work “In Search of Lost Time”.

To add an Italian touch, you could pair them with a digestive liqueur from our country, perhaps a homemade Limoncello that enhances the lemon flavor. Enjoy!