TWD: Madeleines without the "bump"

When the choice for today's TWD was announced, Traditional Madeleines, chosen by Tara of Smells Like Home, I was both excited and disappointed.

Excited because it was a recipe I had wanted to try but had not been sure about, but disappointed because I wasn't sure I could make them without the proper pan. I felt a little better when the decision was made to allow for an alternate recipe, but not much. I wanted to make the Madeleines. And I don't really object to buying a new pan, it just isn't practical at this time.



Then I sent an email off to one of my favorite bakers, Tartelette, who is usually Lis' baking guru, but occasionally I have to borrow her as well. However if anyone would know about the making of these little French cookies, it would be Tartelette. And she assured me that I could indeed make the cookies in a mini muffin pan, and also let me know I could order a pan online if I wasn't able to find one. (Which is kinda funny, because I found one after that conversation, but didn't buy it as I was already buying 3 other pans for something else!)


These cookies mix together in minutes. Takes longer to get the eggs to room temperature. Actually, it takes longer for those eggs than it does to bake these, in a mini muffin pan. So if you don't count the minimum 3 hour chilling time, these cookies take about 12 minutes to make and bake.

I substituted fresh lemon juice for the vanilla, but otherwise left things alone. But I can see the flavor possibilities with these simple little cookies. Their airy texture, light but similar to a pound cake, would be nice with so many flavors, not just citrus. Though the lemon zing in these little morsels is very nice.

The children haven't tried them out yet, but I suspect they will enjoy them and ask for more. Probably ask for chocolate, too.

Now I will likely have to consider if I want to invest in a proper pan, or just enjoy them in mini muffin shape. While I contemplate this, I will likely be starting next week's challenge tomorrow, Pecan Honey Sticky buns, a recipe I have made before, including the brioche dough recipe, but will happily make again.

18 comments:

Dolores said...

I was also surprised at the ease of this recipe... it amazes me that "fast food" tastes so very good. Your muffin madeleines are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Pretty! Now, buy the pan. Especially if you think multiple batches are in your future. ;)

Gretchen Noelle said...

I really liked them as mini muffins. Yours look adorable. I didn't even think to turn them upside down. Great job!

mimi said...

your mini muffin madeleines look great! glad you were able to make them. and isn't tartelette just the best! ;)

Susie Homemaker said...

these look great - who really cares about the shape as long as they taste good?
Congrats on the turnout...

Sara said...

I say skip the pan. Those are adorable!

Casa Costello said...

Well done for having a go! The mini muffin shapes look just great! I wanna know what on earth you are making that needs 3 new pans! Hx

ostwestwind said...

Oh those look very nice!
Ulrike from Küchenlatein

Engineer Baker said...

They're adorable as mini muffins, but you do get an amped classy factor with the traditional pan. Either way, they taste great, so you can't lose!

CB said...

I made muffins too! Personally love the shape more than the shell. Great job!
Clara @ I♥food4thought

Anonymous said...

Jenny,

Your madelines look fine and Helen is a great baking guru isn't she!

Jayne said...

The mini muffins look so cute!

Mumsy said...

Those are so cute!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

this is so cool. i do not have a madeleine pan either and your idea of making these in muffin pans is brilliant. and yes Helene is a great guru!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

they are cute as mini muffins, anyway! that's nice of lis to loan out tartelette every now and again :)

Peabody said...

I think even people who had the pans didn't get the hump...I got small ones.
I would buy the pan...there are lots of madeleine recipes out there.

LyB said...

I love the mini muffin shape and I'm sure they were just as delicious as the shell shaped ones. :)

jasmine said...

V. Pretty. I've only made madeleins a coupld of times and each time they burned horribly. Just too inattentive. Like the idea of using the mini muffin pans...

j