Madelene

To prepare delicious madeleines, we start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. We need 100 g of butter, 3 eggs, 150 g of powdered sugar, the grated zest of one lemon or orange, 100 g of flour, 1 tablespoon of flower water or citrus juice, and some raisins optional. It is important to ensure that all the ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a uniform and well-bound dough.

The first step is to melt the butter. We put the butter in a bowl and place it in the microwave, being careful not to let it boil. The ideal temperature for melting is about 60 degrees Celsius, so we check from time to time. When we have liquid butter, we let it cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in another bowl, we crack the 3 eggs and beat them with a mixer. We gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to mix until the mixture becomes frothy and changes color to a lighter shade. This is the moment when we add the grated lemon or orange zest, which will give a fresh and aromatic flavor. If desired, we can also add raisins, which bring a note of sweetness and pleasant texture in every bite.

After incorporating the citrus zest and raisins, it is time to add the dry ingredients. We sift the flour directly into the mixture to avoid lumps and mix with the mixer on low speed. Then, we add the tablespoon of flower water or citrus juice, which will enhance the flavor of the dough. Finally, we slowly pour in the melted butter, mixing carefully not to lose the aeration obtained earlier.

Once we have a homogeneous dough, we prepare the madeleine molds. We grease them with butter or oil to prevent sticking and fill them with the batter up to three-quarters full, keeping in mind that they will rise during baking. We preheat the oven to a medium temperature of about 180 degrees Celsius and place the madeleine molds inside to bake.

We bake the madeleines for 10-12 minutes or until they acquire a pleasant golden color. Once they are ready, we take them out of the oven and transfer them to a rack to cool. After they have completely cooled, we can dust them with powdered sugar. These cookies can be served plain, but also accompanied by a fruit syrup or alongside a cup of milk or hot tea. Another delicious idea is to dip them in melted chocolate on one side or to decorate them with almonds, to give them an elegant appearance and additional flavor. Thus, madeleines become a versatile dessert, perfect for any occasion!