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Monday, February 6, 2012

Messing with a Classic

Am I ever not prepared for it to be Monday. 

Love, Loss closed yesterday after a great run.  I'm really going to miss those ladies--it's one of the best times I've ever had acting in a show.  At the cast party on Saturday, the actress who played Gingy said "You know, I really like those cookies you made a couple of years ago."

I'm sure you've had this happen;  cue the guessing game where it takes about five minutes to determine exactly which cookie the person is talking about, both because it was years ago and because you have made so many different types of cookies that it isn't immediately apparent which one it could be.  In this case, it turned out that it was madeleines.


I've never read Proust, but I'll give him credit for fixating on the madeleine.  It's a soft, buttery cookie with a hint of lemon and, ideally, a little bit of a crisp brown texture to the exterior.  In short, it's a little bit of sunshine in cookie form.


When well-chilled, the batter develops sort of crust on top that
gives when you push down on it.  That's a good sign that it's ready to go.
The key to madeleines is to chill the batter really well, for at least three hours.  The batter takes all of ten minutes to put together, and then you want to make the cookies right away.  However, chilling the batter gives it a consistency that really makes a difference in the cookies. 

Although I had the ingredients for a classic madeleine, I wanted to try something a little different and substituted grapefruit zest for the lemon and honey for part of the sugar.  The result had a slightly floral quality from the honey, although the grapefruit substitution wasn't obvious. 

Grapefruit Honey Madeleines
Adapted from Paris Sweets by Dorie Greenspan

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp. baking powder
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp. honey
4 tsp. vanilla extract
10 tbsp. melted butter, at room temperature
Zest of one large ruby grapefruit

Combine the sifted flour and baking powder in a small bowl.  In the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, beat together the butter and eggs until they are pale yellow.  Then add the grapefruit zest, honey and vanilla and mix briefly.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the flour/baking powder mixture.  Then fold in the butter mixture--it will look like it doesn't want to incorporate, but eventually will.

Press a large piece of plastic wrap right onto the batter and refrigerate the bowl for at least three hours.

When you are ready to make the cookies, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Depending on the type of mold you are using, prepare it--I have a silicone mold and just spritz it with a touch of baking spray with flour.

Fill the molds almost full with batter.  The great thing about these cookies is that you don't have to spread the batter in the molds particularly well--the batter will spread to fill the molds while baking.

Bake for approximately 13-14 minutes, until the cookies have risen and turned golden.  If you touch the cookie, it should spring back a bit when done.  Cool the cookies on a baking rack.



Makes 24 madeleines, enough for David to take to a Super Bowl party and to feed a cast and crew of seven.

35 comments:

  1. Yum what a nice flavor combo for madeleines!

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  2. I love seeing people mess with classics! The grapefruit is a really nice twist.

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  3. I have never made madeleines but the literary foodie in me has always been inspired to b/c of Proust. I do have to say that I think you have inspired me more!

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  4. I've never had madeleines, but they look and sound absolutely divine. You've got me itching to try some!

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  5. Those cookies look so good! I can almost taste them, will definitely keep this recipe in mind :)

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  6. I just love anything with citrus,juice or zest,,,i bet this madeleines is yummy !!
    Ridwan

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  7. Madeleines are such a beautiful cookie to be fixated on! I'm quite a fan of them myself!

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  8. Okay, I am extremely intrigued. I hate grapefruit, but love honey and madeleines. What an interesting mixture! They look beautiful.

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  9. Grapefruit zest! I never would have thought. I am going to have to save these - this could be wonderfully tasty and interesting.

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  10. I've never made madeleines, but after this post, I just might have to. They look like they would be so good in the morning with coffee.

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  11. They sound delicious! I keep meaning to get a Madeleine pan and now I have a good reason :-D

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  12. I bought a madeleine pan years ago and have yet to use it. I think you just gave me the motivation. Can't wait to try this recipe!!!

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  13. Oh yes, I've played the coookie guessing game manual times! Always a fun one. I've never made madeleines but I'd love to try. These are gorgeous and i will bet they taste phenomenal!

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  14. I love how you "messed" with this classic! Grapefruit is a great sub... I wonder how lime would do? Margarita Madeleines? LOL!

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  15. Medelines are something that I like but have never ventured to actually make. However, the flavors used in this particular recipe does peak an interest! If someone remembers them from 2 years ago, I imagine they are quite delicious!

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  16. I have never tried making madeleins, I feel a little bit intimidated, but yours look exquisite and the addition of grapefruit makes them special!

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  17. i ADORE madeleines - i could never make them in a silicone mold, tho. i spilled the stuff TWICE and then went to aluminum. :)

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  18. I have never made medelines before but sure after looking at the outcome of what you did, its triggering me to do so. Definitely looks a worth try and lovely.

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  19. What a fantastic way to use this season's wonderful citrus fruit! :D

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  20. Oh this looks soooo good! Love this recipe and sounds so delicious! Well done!!!

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  21. Never made them, infact I will have to buy the mould pretty soon since they look soo delicious!My sister gifted me this book for Christmas which has a beautiful madeline recipe.Cannot delay any longer :)

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  22. Beautiful madelines! I have never heard of madelines until I entered the blogging world. Now I'm going to have to go find a madeline mold tray because they look like such yummy cookies. You know I'm cookie challenged so I hope if I make these they come out as nice the ones you made. :)

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  23. They look so good. I love citrus flavour in anything.

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  24. yum! I love the flavor combo of your madeleines, they look gorgeous and sound great! :)

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  25. Perfect madeleines! And I'm loving the idea of a silicone pan...I have to grease and flour the heck out of my "non-stick" madeleine pan, then pray they release!

    PS...glad the show went so well :)

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  26. Yum! I love madeleines and always wanted to make them. Yours look great! I just awarded you the "Liebster Blog" award. Check out my post to see what it's all about. http://belchertown-bites.blogspot.com/2012/02/liebster-blog-awards.html

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  27. I have never made Madeleines before... you'r came out perfect!

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  28. Your madeleines look so appetizing! I loved the way you made them (and thanks for the "chilling" idea). Awesome presentation as well! http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

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  29. @Laura, margarita madeleines--what a great idea! I may have to try that one.
    @Ruth, thanks for stopping by! I checked out your blog and couldn't find a place to comment, but that chard and gruyere pie looks amazing.
    @GermanMama, thanks for the award! I'll be stopping by your site later today.
    @Sofie and Lizzy--I have never tried any madeleine pan other than the silicone one, which was all my local cooking store had when I bought it five years ago. I am a messy cook, and it's held up beautifully and pops those madeleines out perfectly every time.

    Thanks for all the comments!

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  30. I love the grapefruit flavor for these madeleines! So pretty and so delicious!

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  31. Grapefruit and madeleines what a different (but good) combination!!

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  32. Looks like something I could eat an entire batch of. Great recipe.

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  33. I LOOOOOVE madeleines. I've been thinking about buying the mold so that I can make ones for myself. Your grapefruit flavor is something new and I'm so curious to taste it!

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  34. I absolutely love madeleines! These look exquisite! :)

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  35. I've never made Madeleines before, but I love your substitutions for the typical lemon.

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