Honey and Orange Madeleines
Sweet and fragrant with the scent of warm honey and vibrant orange, these honey and orange madeleines are to-die-for! These French little cakes are one of my favorite sweet treats to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
Honey and Orange Madeleines
I’ve always been naturally inclined to love anyone or anything with the name Madeleine. This is because I used to be obsessed with the cartoon “Madeline” as a young girl.
I loved to watch the 12 little French girls go through daily life in Paris and experience French cultural traditions, such as enjoying a gouter, or late-afternoon snack, like most French children do.
Le gouter can be anything sweet, like a chocolate biscuit, bread with jam, or even these honey and orange madeleines.
The first time I had a madeleine, I wasn’t particularly impressed. I remember the madeleine being really dry and dense.
What’s so special about these? I thought. And then one day, I decided to make madeleines at home. The madeleines were so moist and lovely, I could hardly believe that these simple French cakes could taste so different from one recipe to another.
While my previously shared recipe for classic madeleines is fabulous, these [easyazon_link identifier=”B01MSDD2NC” locale=”US” tag=”monpetitfour-20″]honey[/easyazon_link] and orange madeleines are my preferred flavor combination when it comes to these delicate French cakes.
Firstly, the aroma of these honey and orange madeleines is just intoxicating. There’s no doubt that there are honey and orange flavors present in these.
And those flavors truly shine through each bite. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B01MSDD2NC” locale=”US” tag=”monpetitfour-20″]honey[/easyazon_link] provides a sweet, floral quality, while the orange provides brightness and slight zing to balance out the flavors. The madeleines are truly addicting; you can’t just have one!
You can enjoy these madeleines as is, you can sprinkle them with [easyazon_link identifier=”B00E0Y8PTA” locale=”US” tag=”monpetitfour-20″]powdered sugar[/easyazon_link] for a classic approach, or you can dip them in melted [easyazon_link identifier=”B009RVKB7A” locale=”US” tag=”monpetitfour-20″]chocolate[/easyazon_link] for an indulgent twist. However you decide to finish them, just know that these honey and orange madeleines are going to be a staple in your baking repertoire.
Honey and Orange Madeleines
Sweet and fragrant, honey and orange flavored little butter cakes.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tablespoon a orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and lukewarm
- butter and flour for pan
- powdered sugar and/or melted chocolate, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a madeleine pan with a couple tablespoons of melted butter. Prepare the molds by sprinkling some flour in the pan; shake the pans from side to side and dump excess flour (preparing the pan like this will prevent the madeleines from sticking).
- To a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs. Beat on medium speed until the eggs are a lighter yellow and foamy - about 3 minutes.
- Add the granulated sugar, honey, allspice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Note: You might need to warm the honey for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave to make it pourable. Beat the mixture on medium speed until everything is combined.
- Gradually, on low speed, add in the all-purporse flour until its incorporated. While the speed is still on low, pour in the melted butter. Mix just until the butter has been blended into the batter.
- Distribute the batter among the molds, filling them each with about a tablespoon of batter. Bake the madeleines for 7 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 6 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, and the cakes should spring back when you slightly press down on them with your finger. Flip the madeleines out onto a cooling rack, and once cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar or dip in melted chocolate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 19 Serving Size: 19 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 131
I loved that show too :3
Have never made madeleines but they’re on my to-bake list… and will be baked just as soon as I purchase a madeleine pan. The list of single-use kitchen items I want keeps growing! These just look so delicate and light… perfect for ‘le gouter’! Except I’d probably overdo le gouter and eat the whole pan, whoops.
LOL I totally overdo le gouter too, Hannah! 😉 And I’m usually not a fan of the single-use kitchen items either, but the madeleine pan is just so cute! Plus you can find it for a really great price off sites like Amazon or discount stores 🙂
I totally agree! Homemade is definitely best, especially with something like this! Store-bought is always dry and tasteless, but I can see in your gorgeous photos just how moist and delicate they are! And the combination of orange and chocolate is stellar!
Thank you, Kathleen! They’re so easy to make at home too that it’s truly the better option to just make them at home and impart whatever flavors you enjoy! 🙂
You are so right Beeta, nothing beats a homemade madeleine (or two). These look absolutely perfect! Such a wonderful flavour combination of honey and orange… and then dipped in chocolate… I will be dreaming of these tonight! <3 xx
Thank you, Louise! The honey and orange are truly wonderful together – makes the madeleines so addicting!
I’ve had traditional madeleines, but never like the ones you’ve created here. I can say, I would much prefer these, Beeta. The touch of floral sweetness from the honey, paired with a hint of orange.. then you dipped em in chocolate! Love Love Love!! xo
Thank you so much, Traci! I personally agree; I love the flavored madeleines more than the traditional ones as well! 🙂
Oh Beeta, they do look good!! I love madeleines and I love your flavor combination. With that chocolate touch, even yummier! I’ve just made muffins with dark chocolate and orange and it’s truly an amazing combo!
Thank you Nicoletta! Mmm muffins with dark chocolate and orange sound de-lish!
Honey and orange? What a lovely, floral combination…Every time I come to your blog, I want to head straight to the kitchen and get to work!
Thank you, Marissa! That is the biggest compliment, my dear <3
I used to love watching Madeleine, too! I love the name Madeleine (and I loved Caroline as a name as a child, too haha), Madeleines are just not meant to be prepackaged. they are best fresh and warm from the oven. I am so in love with these madeleines. Such a wonderful flavor combination!
Yay, so fun to hear that others enjoyed the show as well. And I agree, prepackaged madeleines are just a recipe for disaster! Thanks so much, Amanda 🙂
I love madeleines Beeta and these ones are just beautiful. Great flavour combination, well done.
Thanks so much, Angela! <3