We get a week or two of hot weather here in the Pacific NW, usually in August, but this year it’s starting early and we have been in the 90’s for the past four days. Ugh, way too hot to do much baking, but I did get up early yesterday and baked a batch of Ina Garten’s coconut madeleines. I like almost anything coconut and have a love affair with madeleines that I give in to way too often. They are easy to make, rich and dense like poundcake, and are the perfect treat for picnics and cookouts. You can’t beat homemade cookies and fresh fruit for a great summer snack or dessert.
I’m not a big fan of kitchen gadgets and pans that have a single purpose. I’m trying to scale back and get rid of things I use maybe once a year. I don’t need a dozen different cupcake pans or half a dozen bundt cake pans in varying shapes and sizes. As I get older there is something comforting about looking into an organized cupboard and not having to take out stacks of this and that to get to the loaf pan that has worked its way to the back. My one exception to my multi-use rule is my madeleine pans. I know the divine little buttery cakes wouldn’t taste the same if they were made in any other shape. The pan is a must. They are easy to find in any cookware shop in both a nonstick metal and silicone. They are so worth the investment and once you see how easy to make these little cakes are and how delicious they taste you will wonder how you every got along with the pans.
Madeleines are best the day they are baked and tend to dry out fairly quickly. I like to add a powdered sugar glaze that seals one side and goes a long way to keep them soft and fresh for several days. The dough isn’t very sweet so the glaze adds a nice texture to the little cakes, especially when its flavored with something like coconut extract. Despite the nonstick surface of my metal pans I generously brush them with melted butter to ensure that they don’t stick.
There are endless variations of madeleines and several of my favorites are buckwheat browned butter (from David Lebovitz’s brilliant book, Ready for Dessert, and vanilla bean madeleines from my Mom’s recipe files.
I’m not a big hot weather person…thank heavens we don’t have many days like this…so early morning is my favorite time of day. I love having my first cup of coffee on the deck where I can hear birds tuning up for the day and listen to two resident owls “whooing” to each other. This is when I like to indulge in homemade cookies.
- 1-1/2 tablespoons melted butter, to grease the pans
- 3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup sweetened, shredded coconut, coarsely chopped
- 1-1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
- water
- Several drops coconut flavoring
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Thoroughly butter and flour the madeleine pans.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed for 3 minutes, or until light yellow and fluffy. Add ¼ pound of melted butter and mix. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, and stir into the batter with a rubber spatula. Stir in the coconut.
- With a soup spoon, drop the batter into the pans, filling each shell almost full. Bake the madeleines for 10 to 12 minutes, until they spring back when pressed and are light golden brown. . Tap the madeleines out onto parchment paper and allow to cool.
- Add water to confectioners sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it has a pourable consistency. Mix in the coconut flavoring. Place madeleines on a wire rack and spoon the glaze over them, allowing excess to drip off. Let dry for 2 hours or until glaze has set.
I love madeleines. Since they have a short shelf life I tend to eat way too many.
I have a bakeware problem that seems to only be getting worse. 🙂
Me too.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
Your glazed coconut madeleines look terrific! I need to weed out my bakeware, too—the closet where I store all my pans is full to the brim.
Liz recently posted..Double Decker Oreo Fudge #TwoSweetiePies
Things just seem to accumulate, but when I get rid of something in no time I will want it again. It always seem to work that way.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
Guilty too..bakeware collection..but YEARS..of baking..;)
Love maddies..on a deck even better!
Monique recently posted..D.Lebovitz’s Jam..Anna Quindlen.. .Rosie,Radishes.. …Blooms~
Even when they are a little bit stale they are delicious with a cup of tea, especially on t he patio.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
I think I’d love eating a plateful of these madeleines, especially with the glaze you used. That watercolor photo is lovely too.
Sugar glaze, coconut extract and brushed butter ……….all sound like a wonderful tasty treat.
A pleasant and quite time on the deck enjoying yourself sounds like just the ticket to starting off the day.
It sure gets my day off to a good start, Ramona. Have a great weekend.
I enjoy something sweet in the afternoons, something just like these madeleines, love the glaze you topped them with. Also, did you paint the watercolor? it is very nice!
cheri recently posted..Settling In
Hi Cheri – One of the many things I like about madeleines is that they aren’t overly sweet. Thank you, but I didn’t paint the watercolor. I used the Waterlogue app to give a regular photo the effect of being handpainted. It’s a fun and very creative app.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
Your madeleines are so pretty….I am always sold when there is coconut!
Kate recently posted..It’s a Picnic, Blogger CLUE!
I love that you added the coconut to the glaze, they sound great:@)
Lynn recently posted..Eagles Charm Bracelet Update
Everything you make looks fabulous, Cathy! I’d love to try one of your special cookies.
Thank you, Kitty. Have a great weekend.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
You’re so very brave to have been baking these last few days, I just couldn’t bring myself to turn on the oven to test a couple of recipes.
I keep putting off the purchase of a madeleine pan but they are so very delicious, I may have to give in soon, these just look too delicious!
Mary recently posted..Packed Perfect
I am planning on making madeleines very soon, but wondered it they could freeze well?
Your madeleines look delicious!
Marilyn recently posted..National Iced Tea Day
Hi Marilyn – Yes, they freeze beautifully sealed well so they don’t dry out. I don’t glaze them if I’m going to freeze them and wait until they are thawed out before I pour the frosting over them.
Cathy Farley recently posted..Coconut Madeleines
These look divine! My madeleine pans are so old they are not non-stick. Since I worship at the feet on Ina G., I’m sure I will love these. I’ve never made coconut madeleines, but intend to bring them to a Father’s Day BBQ. Thank you!
What a beautiful way to start your morning! I’m right there with you about the really hot weather…I don’t want anything to do with it! But these madeleines look like the perfect summer treat. Love the idea of the coconut glaze too; the perfect touch to something so light and tasty.
I love Madeleine’s as well! I didn’t know how divine they really were until I made some myself.. You are right, they are so much better when eaten the day they are baked.,, which led me to eating half a pan by myself. Whoops! The sugar glaze is a good tip on keeping them moist, I’ll remember that for next time!.
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I’ve been doing a massive sorting of closets and drawers….the kitchen was the most difficult. What pans to throw out? But I agree…I’d never get rid of my madeleine pan! I’ve not tried this Ina recipe (and pinned it to our Ina First Friday Board) but I do love coconut and can’t wait to try it. The glaze is a nice touch and so pretty.
Have a lovely weekend, Cathy!
Barbara recently posted..Apricot Yogurt Muffins
I have such a weakness for pretty bake ware whenever I see something lovely on a blog! I try my hardest to be good, though. Actually, my Madeleine pan is one that I don’t use often enough! These coconut Madeleines sound delicious and the coconut gives them a summery flavor too. I need to get that pan out 🙂
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