TWD: Madeleines!

Tuesdays With Dorie: Traditional Madeleines

Upon seeing the recipe that Tara of Smells like Home had chosen for this weeks challenge. I immediately lept up from the couch that i had been snoozing on. Okay, so i do admit that I've been lazing the last few rounds. Especially with the heavy dosage of baking i was involved in with the mothers day projects. BUt madeleines?! haven't i always wanted to make that? With that I was out the door in a flash and purchasing my first madeleine pan in the shop.

what are madeleines?

'The madeleine or petite madeleine is a traditional cake from Commercy, a commune of the Meuse département in northeastern France.

Madeleines are very small cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape acquired from being baked in pans with shell-shaped depressions. Their flavour is similar to, but somewhat lighter than, pound cake, with a pronounced butter-and-lemon taste.'

-wikipedia-

The recipe called for ingredients that were nothing too exotic nor expensive. However, with a simple concept of science, the proportions fell into place and creating something magical. fresh madeleines out of the oven were nothing short of a miracle for me.

I did a few alterations to the traditional recipe though. Adding 2 tsps of earl grey tea to the melted butter for that infused earl grey taste as well as to put the madeleines tray into the freezer instead of the fridge (to produce that signature hump). Pardon me once again, i like things done express. I just couldn't wait that long to eat them!

I had enough batter for 17 madeleines instead of the 12 as stated on the recipe. No harm of course, the more the merrier. However, being to anxious the first time, i rapped the tray against the counter causing the fragile little babies to slide and fall out of the trays immediately. some crashed onto the cooling rack and suffered split ends. I was devastated. Thank God for the second batch which turned out perfect. Crispy sides with moist spongy centres filled with the pleasant aroma of earl grey tea with every bite. Perfect with for afternoon tea.