The madeleines are one of the most known French pastries. It comes from the Lorraine region and its form reminds us a shell. Delices and Gourmandises presents you the history of this delicious little cake.
Discover the madeleine with Delices and Gourmandises
The madeleine has gained his fame with the Marcel Proust book À la recherche du temps perdu, which is the first part of his novel Du côté de chez Swann. Even if the madeleine origins are quite vague, specialists of history said that it has been probably invented in Commercy city, in the Lorraine region in the 18th century. The tradition also said that it has been served first to Stanislaw Lezczynski, duke of Lorraine, that gave them the name Madeleine, referring to the young woman who prepared them.
Generally served at tea time or for breakfast, the madeleine has also been in practically all French schoolbag. This shell formed traditional little cake that is smooth and dome shaped on the top and ribbed on the sides is really sweet in the inside. That is why it is best to serve it when it is hot. You can also sprinkle them with some powdered sugar before serving. Nevertheless, at Delices and Gourmandises, we opt for a lemon aromatized icing, slightly acid.
Sweet and soft madeleines at Delices and Gourmandises
As for the classic sponge cake, the madeleine is made from pounded dough, which means that the eggs and the sugar are beaten together before adding the sifted flour. But unlike the sponge cake, melted butter is added to the mix, or slightly heated butter. This ingredient makes the madeleine dough very light and tender, with a delicious butter aroma and taste.
At Delices and Gourmandises, you can find the classic soft golden madeleines prepared according to the traditional recipe. For tea time or for snack, they will satisfy the little and bigger children.