You know how when some girls eat cookies (or other desserts), they break off a just little piece of it, likely intending to stop there, but then end up going back and finishing off the entire thing, one tiny piece at a time? And then maybe they eat another whole one the same way?
I’m guilty of being one of those girls.
I know that we might as well just get it over with and grab the whole cookie because it’s doomed from the start, but for some reason it helps us feel like we didn’t eat as much if we use the bit-by-bit method. Obviously calories can’t count when you’re eating something so daintily. That’s my advanced psychological explanation, anyway.
Nonetheless, I think most people would agree that there is something about eating a two-bite dessert, such as a Petite Madeleine, that feels guilt-free. And then if you’re me, you eat three of them in a row and it becomes a six-bite dessert, but it still doesn’t count. Are you with me? Please say yes.
Petite Madeleines are darling little sponge cakes that originated in Northeastern France. They have a light flavor and are known for their shell shape that comes from making them in a special molded pan. However, I don’t have a Madeleine pan, so I used a regular muffin pan and they came out just fine. I don’t know if I can still call them Madeleines because they’re round, so maybe they’re just tiny sponge cakes, but whatever – they’re delicious.
This recipe uses lemon zest for a little extra flavor, and then I dipped them in chocolate and sprinkled some toasted coconut on top. Serve these alongside tea or coffee for an after-dinner delight, or perhaps be inspired to throw an old-fashioned tea party and serve them with cute things like finger sandwiches and sugar cubes.
Either way, be warned: these are addictive.
Petite Madeleines
What You Need
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 T. lemon zest
1 cup chocolate chips, melted (optional)
How-To:
Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 12-mold madeleine pan or muffin pan. Melt the butter and let it cool as you make the batter.
In a small bowl, quickly mix together the eggs, vanilla and salt. Gradually add sugar while beating, and then beat for an additional 5-10 minutes (depending on if you are hand-mixing or using an electric mixer) until mixture forms thick ribbons when you lift the beater. Sift in flour, 1/4 cup at a time, and fold in after each addition. Add the zest and pour the cooled butter around the outside of the batter. Quickly but gently fold in.
Pour or spoon into prepared pan. If it is a madeleine pan, fill each mold about 1/2 full. If it is a muffin pan, fill each about 1/4 full. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden.
After baking, remove from pan and let cool. Dip into melted chocolate if desired, and let harden. Makes 12 Cookies.
{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }
I love, love, love madeleines. Dainty and delicious! Plus anything chocolate-dipped is oodles better, obviously.
P.S. When I was in college, there was one year when I lived with five other girls (I know, I know, insane). We baked all the time, and wound up leaving a knife on any plate of baked goods we’d made–we were ALL guilty of doing the “cut a little piece because I’m not eating the whole thing…and then I can go back later for more…” I love that you opened your post with that; I felt like I was reading my life.
Yes, I’m with you
ha ha ha… These are so irresistible…and elegant, even =)
haha love it
I think mini desserts are always winners. People seem much more willing to splurge when they don’t have to commit to a large slice or piece of something 
The chocolate coconut dip looks just awesome
Love the “cupcake version” so no special pan needed!
Ooh, I like the chocolate and coconut twist to these yummy cookies! Great post!
Ha, I do the same thing. I should just take the whole cookie because then I don’t have the guilt before I give in to each bite.
I have always wanted to try madelines but don’t have a special pan. I never even thought about using a muffin tin. Smart!
I’ve never made madeleines, but have sampled many. I always thought you needed a madeleine pan. I’m in trouble now that I know I can use muffin pans. All I need is a little cup of tea and these and my afternoon is complete.
hahahah u are so right. we tend to nibble thinking that the calories are different that way but we end up eating it all anyhow. hahah
. these madelines are adorable!!!
I’ve never had these before, but I’d love to try them sometime! They look and sound so good! And they’re so pretty too!
I have to admit that I’m someone who doesn’t nibble on cookies. I’m not at all dainty when eating them because mostly I inhale them! LOL!
Embarrassing but true. 
I’m totally one of those girls, too, even though I try not to be. And sometimes, depending on the sweet, I go back for seconds and thirds. (Because I cannot resist anything that is delicious and sweet!)
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I’ve never tried Petite Madeleines but I intend to since I’ve seen this recipe. It sounds delightful!
These are too cute and I love that they’re dipped in chocolate (that makes anything even yummier =D)
I am definitely with you on the dainty bites. Everybody knows that if you eat it in small enough bites, the calories don’t count. Same thing for eating them standing in the kitchen, rather than sitting at a table. The calories disappear!
Oh god! I am that guilty girl too. I buy these Indian sweets which I love more than chocolates and i would bite them lil by lil thinking that way i am not eating a lot. Until hubby wakes me up saying I actually finished two big sweets like in 30 minutes. phew!!
This looks delicious and addition of lemon .. love it.
they look fabulous! i want to try them!
Lovely and no I cannot just break off a little of the cookie and be done. It’s two or three for me.
I’m definitely with you, I love seemingly guilt-free desserts like this. I try to nibble on desserts, but always end up eating the entire thing, plus more. Why must I have such a huge sweet tooth!?
So elegant looking!
Madeleines in muffin pan! This is great. I even feel like I can make this dessert. This will be very top of my list to bake! I love the coconut on top… You know I don’t bake but this will be my exception. 100% sure!
Hahaha..I do the same thing! It totally doesn’t count when you take small bites!
These look yummy, I love the coconut on top! I don’t have a madeleine pan so I have never tried making them…I love that you can make them in a muffin pan too! 
I’m not one of those girls at all! These look great.
I’m not one of those girls either! But unlike Greg, I’m also not a dude, dude.
And ahhhh, one of the inspirations for my blog. I do love me some madeleines like cra-zay! I finally just got a second madeleine tin, so now I can finally bake both batches at once without letting the second batch go weird on me. Yum yum yum yum yum, DUDE!
These are so cute!! I love delicate little desserts.
i am dying to try madelines, they always win me over with their look but i have never tried them…. your looks especially delicious!
What a great way to make lovely madeleines even better! Gorgeous, Mari!
PS…I don’t think the chocolate chips would be option at our house
cute love madeleines
Even though I’m usually pretty good about having a small serving of dessert, I can see how these would be completely addictive! Now i just need to come up with a gluten-free version
I love the chocolate and coconut garnish. I’ve never thought of making madeleines in a muffin tin; I’m happy to see that they turned out just fine (which may be a dangerous thing for me to know, haha)!
I don’t think I’ve ever done what you just described! And I wouldn’t even try it with these pretty little treats! I never even thought to make them in a muffin pan – genius.
Yummy! I’ve never made madeleines but those look yummy! And so cute
Especially since I don’t need a madeleine pan for these, I’m so tempted to try them 
mmm….these look so so delicious. i may just have to go make these right now. oh my.
Guilty, on all accounts. But I love the sound of these little treats … bite by bite.
Maris, these are delightful. I will confess though.. I bet I could do these in one bite if there was a contest.
you’re a genius…ive put off making madeleines just coz i dont have the molds…never thought about using a muffin pan!
btw, totes true – i need to stop breaking up my cakes/cookies and face the reality
These look perfect for that hour in the afternoon when hunger strikes! Yum!
OH, if you put this in front of me, I wouldn’t be able to stop eating them…
I do the same thing!
Love these cookies… They’re gorgeous! I bet they’re super yummy, with that lemon zest added in… Thanks for sharing!
Divine looking! Those Madeleines are very tempting.
Cheers,
Rosa
Maris I was reading that first description saying “Well what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that how everyone eats?”. I was relieved to hear that you do too! lol
Love Love Love! My heart Loves these cookies! So pretty and dainty and simply decadent! I eat like that too:)
ooh… you must know me! I’m a “sliver it to death” kinda gal. I will savor a bite of dessert for a long, long time….and then go back much later to try it again! I’m thinking those these little cookies could be popped right in my mouth. They look very tender and the addition of lemon is really lovely.
I’m that girl, too! I’m so lovin’ your dessert posts! These cookies look like they melt in your mouth!
I love the addition of the chocolate and toasted coconut! Time to get my madeleine pan out
These remind me of mint milano cookies, even though there’s no mint. They also remind me that I could use a piece of chocolate right about now.
Wow, these look perfect, exactly what I want to eat with a cappuccino.
http://www.therosiestcheeks.com
Sinfully Irresistable, cute and adorable:)
These look fan-flipping-tastic!
Hi Maris, these look FANTASTIC. I have a friend who LOVES Madeleines, and she’ll be coming over in a few weeks, so I’ve bookmarked this and will (try to remember)
to make these when that happens. Thanks as always for your wonderful recipes. Have a GREAT weekend.
OMG – those look so good. I deserve a yummy Friday treat…been a long short week!
i love your theory on these
they look fabulous!
YUM! I’m a huge coconut fan… these look delish. And pretty! Also – I can never stop after one bite… of anything really. Oh well, I can still pretend.
Hahah, didn’t I tell you it’s a universal girl thing that we tend to break a small piece of a cake only to go back for more and still somehow manage to convince ourselves we’ve eaten less?
These look adorable and I bet having more than one would actually make you feel like you haven’t over-indulged 
Have a great weekend!
i’m totally one of those girls too
so these sound perfect!
Those look so good and the recipe seems simple enough.
These are lovely morsels. I, too, tend to be a nibbler and think your logic makes a great deal of sense
. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Marym
So cute!
I’m definitely a believer in the “skinny slice” theory…ie small bites or slices don’t have any calories and therefore you can eat as many of them as you like!
How pretty & cute looking- Love the chocolate dip & sprinkle of coconut..makes them extra special!
Count me in for three bites!
I’m so guilty of that! I do that with everything-take a small portion then end up
going back a few more times.
I could easily finish a dozen of those petite madeleines
They look marvelous.
I’m quite sure I couldn’t stop at just one.
i love these dainty little cookies! im guilty of being one of those girls too
broken cookies dont have calories!
These are so pretty! I have bookmarked this one
I’ve only recently tried madeleines for the first time. I now understand the fascination. Dipping them on chocolate is genius.
I make madeleines all the time, all kinds. And I even have one of those miniature pans. I’ve never thought of dipping one end, though. Not sure if I am going to thank you for that idea or not, Maris. But perhaps if I only make the miniatures?
I adore madeleines!! Dipping them in chocolate is truly gilding the lily! Delicious!
Yes please! If only I could get my hands on those, I’d be shoving them in my pockets.
Mmm, these do look completely addicting! i love the lemon zest in them.
I’m totally with you on the bite by bite thing ..I was actually smiling while reading your words..
those madelines look amazing..the chocolate and coconuts are the perfect addition..I could easily finish half a dosen of these
You know, truth be told, I’ve never had a madeleine! I can’t believe I’ve missed out because these sound awesome =)
You are so smart! I have bookmarked several madeleine recipes, but have never made them because I don’t have a pan. These little bites are the perfect size, even if more than one of them finds its way (accidentally of course) into my waiting mouth.
They look wonderful!
I don’t have a madeleine pan either, good to know they work fine with a muffin tin! LOVE that you dipped yours in chocolate
How did I miss this post?! Looks delicious. Do you know, I’ve never had a madeleine, but I’ve heard they’re little spongy cookies of heaven haha. I’ll have to give it a try sometime!
I hate to admit it but I’m also one of those girls who eats the entire cookie plus 10 more when I intend to just eat a bite of a single cookie. It’s really bad but what can you do?
These madeleines look like girl scout samoas on crack! I’ve never dipped them in chocolate but I’ll definitely have to give these a try. You should try making green tea madeleines. They are to die for!