Classic French Madeleines

Aug 2, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Shell-shaped classic french madeleines on a plate, showing their golden humps and ridged sides

Light, buttery French madeleines with a tender crumb and distinct shell shape, flavored with pure vanilla extract for a subtle aromatic finish.

Prep 20 min

Cook 12 min

Cooling 20 min

Total 52 min

Yield 18 madeleines

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

madeleines

1.0 cup (120.0 g)all-purpose flour
1.0 tsp (4.0 g)baking powder
¼ tsp (1.0 g)fine sea salt
2.0 large (100.0 g)eggs
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
8.0 tbsp (113.0 g)unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Make it at home

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Instructions

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with a hand mixer or stand mixer on high speed until pale, thick, and fluffy, about 5 minutes. The mixture should form ribbons when the beaters are lifted.
Gently fold in the vanilla extract.
Sift the dry ingredients over the egg mixture, then carefully fold in using a rubber spatula just until incorporated, avoiding deflating the batter.
Slowly drizzle in the melted, cooled butter while gently folding to incorporate. The batter will be thick but smooth.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for at least 20 minutes to hydrate the flour and help develop the characteristic hump during baking.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 12-cavity madeleine pan or brush with melted butter.
Spoon the batter into the molds, filling each about three-quarters full.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers spring back to the touch.
Remove from oven and immediately turn the madeleines out onto a wire rack to cool.
Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar.

Tips

Make sure the melted butter is cooled to avoid cooking the eggs when folded in.
Chilling the batter helps ensure madeleines develop their classic hump during baking.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic french madeleines?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 12 minutes of cooking, plus 20 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 18 madeleines.

How should I store classic french madeleines?

Store madeleines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a low oven before serving to restore freshness.

Can I make classic french madeleines ahead?

Batter can be made and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Light, buttery French madeleines with a tender crumb and distinct shell shape, flavored with pure vanilla extract for a subtle aromatic finish.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 18 servings this recipe makes.

99 Calories / serving

5.7g Fat

10.7g Carbs

1.4g Protein

5.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (18 servings): ~1782 cal · 103g fat · 193g carbs · 25g protein · 101g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 99 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 19 min·1.1 mi·~2200 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 13 min·0.7 mi·~1300 steps
Moderate cycling 10 min·2.0 mi
Swimming laps 14 min
Jogging 10 min·0.8 mi·~1600 steps
Stair climbing 9 min·~800 steps
Dancing 16 min
Bodyweight circuit training 10 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 23 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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