Monday 21 July 2014

Chocolate Madeleines

I often feel in the heat of summer that a full, large cake can seem a bit much. Too much effort to make and a large slice too exhausting to eat. You can't do without cake though. At times like these you need to turn to the French – masters of pâtisserie and all things small, delicate, elegant and sweet tasting.

Perhaps the easiest of the French specialities are these Madeleines. They originate from the Lorraine region in northeastern France and are named after a cook called Madeleine Paulmier. There is some dispute as to when she lived but whoever she was her legacy lives on. The hard work in getting the right shape is all done through using a special Madeleine tin. I bought mine in my local supermarket. By beating the eggs and then folding in the mixture this ensures a very light cake. It is said that Madeleines are best eaten on the day they are made and this wasn't a problem for us.

A standard Madeleine tin makes 12 cakes but this mixture makes 16 so you will need to bake them in two batches. I did think about readjusting the ingredient quantities but since they disappeared so quickly I decided it was best to keep to the extra four!
This going to Emily at A Mummy Too for Recipe of the Week and Lucy at Supergolden Bakes with #CookBlogShare.



My Love Cake challenge for July is French so I will be adding this to the other recipes that have been linked up.


Equipment – 1 12 cup Madeleine tin, electric whisk/beaters

Ingredients

2½oz (70g) Self-raising flour
1oz (25g) Cocoa
3oz (90g) Unsalted butter
2 Large eggs
3oz (90g) Caster sugar
½oz (15g) Ground almonds

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/Gas mark 7.
2. Grease the Madeleine moulds, dust with flour and tap out the excess.
3. Sift together the flour and cocoa and put to one side.
4. In a small pan melt the butter and then set to one side.
5. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and sugar together until they are pale and thick. You are looking for the colour and consistency of custard.
6. Use a metal spoon to fold in the flour, cocoa and almonds. After each spoonful add some of the melted butter. It should look more like a batter now.
7. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each mould.
8. Bake for around 10 minutes – watch out they can go from undercooked to burnt in a matter of seconds!
9. Remove from the tin immediately once baked and cool on a wire rack.

Further suggestions: Decorate each one with either a dusting of icing sugar or dip into melted chocolate.


43 comments:

  1. Those are much better than eating a huge piece of cake. And if you want more, just eat another, and another...

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    1. I think that's how they disappeared so quickly!

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  2. I love madelienes. I love chocolate. This recipe's a winner for me!

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    1. Chocolate plus cake - of course it is a winner!

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  3. I have to say, I never find eating a big piece of cake exhausting! Haha :o)
    The girls do though so these would be great for them to snack on :)

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    1. Usually large pieces of cake aren't a problem for me either but when it is hot I do like something more dainty.

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  4. I have never had a Madeleine, I might try these x

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    1. It was the first time I've had one as well and I wasn't disappointed!

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  5. Oh I adore Madeleines and now NEED to make these

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    1. As long as you have the tin they are very quick to make and bake.

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  6. I always loved the slightly 'squeaky' texture of madeleines. These look yum! Must try a GF version some time!!

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    1. I don't think they would be too difficult to convert to a gluten free version.

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  7. You can picture these disappearing in a hurry!

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    1. They really didn't last long before I found an empty tin!

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  8. I really love Madeleines! Here in Ecuador they are called Melbas. But they are vainilla ones and covered with chocolate.

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    1. I shall have to add Melbas to my international food dictionary. Thanks for the info!

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  9. they look yummy - I've never made them before!

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    1. First time for me as well and it is won't be my last.

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  10. They look adorable! Which supermarket had those tins?

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    1. I bought the tin in Sansbury's for £7 a couple of weeks ago. Seems to the be cheapest I have found so far.

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  11. Ive never tried Madelines before, but they look yummy. I never struggle with eating cake though!

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    1. On really hot days I struggle to eat anything plus I don't want the kitchen to get too hot with the oven being on for ages.

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  12. I think I'd like this recipe. I am not usually a big fan of chocolate cake, but with the almonds added, it seems nice. Also, if it's less heavey on the stomach than regular chocolate cake, that's good.

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    1. They are much lighter than regular chocolate cakes. Does make you want to eat more though!

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  13. These look delicious - I could just eat one now!

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    1. Sadly they all went in a flash here otherwise I would offer you one!

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  14. These sound like the perfect treat, thanks for sharing

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    1. They are just the right size for a little treat.

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  15. These look absolutely delicious. Loving the moulds as well x

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    1. The Madeleine moulds are lovely and really do make them look extra special.

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  16. They look delicious, fingers crossed they are Slimming World friendly :)

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    1. If you just have the one I'm sure they are Slimming World friendly!

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  17. Never heard of these before - they look delicious

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    1. I don't think they are too well known in the UK but you can buy them in supermarkets now.

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  18. I don't think I've ever turned down the offer of a Madeleine and I certainly wouldn't turn these down. Such a good summer cake. Whenever I bite into a Madeleine the memories come flooding back....Sorry I went a bit annoyingly Proustian there.

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    1. Food is all about memories and I know how much you like your French cakes.

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  19. I have never tried madeleines but after reading this post, I would be interested in trying them. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. They are an utter delight so you must try them!

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  20. Love Madeleines - which reminds me I have a tin waiting to bake them in at the bottom of the cupboard. Not sure I would manage to get them blogged in time for July's Love Cake challenge.

    Angela

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    1. Hopefully you'll find a reason to bake Madeleines for another theme. All my tins are on top of my cupboards.

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  21. I love madeleines and my husband bought me a tin ages ago... I have never tried making them though. Yours look lovely and I bet were very popular!
    Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare – check out the other entries on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/supergolden88/cookblogshare/
    and Google+
    https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/107696809290414888934

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    1. I have a couple of tins I haven't used yet and still I want more!

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  22. They look so good! I would easily polish off the whole plate. Thanks for linking up to #recipeoftheweek - sorry I'm a bit late over! Have Pinned this post and scheduled in a tweet. New linky just went live for this week :) x

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