Tender, buttery vanilla bean madeleines with a delicate foamed butter sponge texture, enhanced by a rich homemade vanilla bean glaze for a perfect finish.
Vanilla Bean Madeleines
Ingredients
Scales from a half to a double batch. Laminated and yeasted doughs are easiest to handle one batch at a time; bake extra pans in rounds.
- 1 ¼ cups (150.0 g)all-purpose flour
- 1.0 tsp (5.0 g)baking powder
- ¼ tsp (1.0 g)fine sea salt
- 3.0 (150.0 g)large eggs
- ¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
- 1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 12.0 tbsp (170.0 g)unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ½ cup (60.0 g)powdered sugar
- 1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)fresh lemon juice
Make it at home
-
The vanilla
Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Grade A, 5 Beans
$15.00 · Shop now ›
- Must-have Bellemain 12-Cup Madeleine Pan The shell mold that gives madeleines their ridges and hump. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Makes it easier OXO Silicone Pastry Brush An even egg wash for a glossy, golden finish. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Worth the upgrade KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer Does the beating and kneading for you, hands-free. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Set aside.
- In a large heatproof bowl, combine the eggs, granulated sugar, and the seeds scraped from the vanilla bean.
- Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler) and whisk constantly until the mixture reaches 110°F (43°C) and the sugar has dissolved, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until the batter is thick, pale, and tripled in volume, about 7 to 8 minutes.
- Gently fold the flour mixture into the aerated egg mixture in 3 additions using a rubber spatula, taking care not to deflate the batter.
- Slowly drizzle the melted and cooled butter into the batter, folding gently until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Cover the batter and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help the batter firm up and develop the classic madeleine hump during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter and flour a 12-cavity madeleine pan, tapping out any excess flour.
- Spoon the chilled batter into the prepared pan, filling each mold about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers spring back lightly when touched.
- While the madeleines bake, prepare the vanilla glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice and vanilla bean seeds to a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Remove the madeleines from the oven and immediately invert them onto a wire rack.
- While still warm, brush the vanilla glaze generously over the top of each madeleine. Let cool until the glaze sets before serving.
Tips
- Tempering the egg and sugar mixture over warm water helps create a stable foam for a lighter texture.
- Adding a vanilla glaze highlights the vanilla bean flavor and adds a subtle sweetness and shine.
Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make vanilla bean madeleines?
Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 30 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 20 madeleines.
How should I store vanilla bean madeleines?
Store glazed madeleines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze may soften; refresh by warming briefly in a low oven if desired.
Can I make vanilla bean madeleines ahead?
The batter can be prepared and refrigerated up to 4 hours before baking; prepare glaze just before baking.
Can I use a different form of vanilla?
Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. 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.
Estimated · per serving
Nutrition
Per serving = 1 of 20 servings this recipe makes.
Whole recipe (20 servings): ~2800 cal · 154g fat · 326g carbs · 36g protein · 210g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
Per serving · 140 calories
What it takes to burn one serving
- Brisk walking 26 min·1.5 mi·~3050 steps
- Walking uphill or incline treadmill 19 min·1.0 mi·~1900 steps
- Moderate cycling 14 min·2.8 mi
- Swimming laps 20 min
- Jogging 14 min·1.2 mi·~2250 steps
- Stair climbing 13 min·~1150 steps
- Dancing 23 min
- Bodyweight circuit training 14 min
- Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 33 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.














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