My youngest is leaving for Paris, France next week, for her whole Junior year of college. We are going to miss her, A LOT! I thought it was bad enough sending her off to college her Freshman year. She went to London that year for her first semester. I was a mess, worrying how would she manage, shop for herself, cook for herself, learn the money system, the transportation system, school, as well as just being in a foreign country. It was very scary for me, not her though, she mastered all of it. I grew many gray hairs that year, now I will have to buy stock in one of the hair color companies! A year is a long time not to see her. She will be there for all the holidays too, we won't see her until May 2015. She does not speak French, has to learn another money and transportation system, school will be another challenge for her. She is very bright (not just a mom saying her kid is bright) she really is smart. Took college courses in her senior year of high school, always on the honor roll since elementary school. She also can hold her own in a group of seasoned adults when having conversations about politics, religion or any other subject you throw at her. I am sad about her leaving, but also glad for her, she earned it with all her hard work through many years of school, and she deserves it because she is a good kid, never any trouble. I had many sleepless nights these past few months, but time's running out for me to worry, she is leaving and that's that. I will see and talk to her via social media, I am grateful for that, and I am sure she is going to have the time of her life!
In honor of her leaving, we decided to have a small gathering (a going away party, but sure to return!) of her friends and family for a night of everything French. French food, decorations, music and wine. One of the first things I made was a dessert, Madeleine's, and they were so easy to make. Madeleine's are little cake/cookies. Recipe below.
What you need: Flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, eggs, honey, salt, lemon and lemon extract and confectioners sugar. You also need a Madeleine pan, they are not very expensive, and trust me after making these, you WILL make them again.
Some equipment you will need and butter melting in the pan.
Butter is melted and adding the honey.
Lemon zest and pure Lemon Extract. My Madeleine's were lemon flavored, you can make them whatever flavor you like. My dry ingredients mixed together.
Mixing in the wet ingredients and generously spray that pan.
The batter will be on the bubbly side. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
I used a flatware tablespoon to fill my pan, it almost has the same shape and size as the pan. The batter went in with no mess.
Baking in the oven and getting brown around the edges. Sprung from the pan and cooling on a rack. The bottom of them are plain....
When turned on the right side they have a shell shape.
Dust with confectioner's sugar and serve.
LEMON MADELEINE'S
Ingredients
Cooking Spray
7 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of honey
3/4 cup of unbleached flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 eggs, room temperature, beaten
Zest of a lemon
1 teaspoon of pure Lemon Extract
Confectioner's sugar for dusting
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. When butter has melted add the honey and stir until honey has melted. In a medium bowl with a whisk, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until combined. With a hand mixer on low, add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon extract and the butter mixture. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and let sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray Madeleine baking pan with cooking spray. Spoon batter until 2/3 full into the wells. Bake until brown around the edges and cake springs back when touched, about 6 - 8 minutes. Remove from oven and shake them out of the pan onto a cooling rack, they have to be removed from the pan ASAP or they will stick. Dust with confectioner's sugar and serve, or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, then dust with confectioner's sugar before serving. Makes 18 large Madeleine's.
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