Monday, October 6, 2008

Lavender madeleines

Lavender madeleines

Enough with the bad magazines, right? Let’s talk about a really good one – Donna Hay’s.

Those who have read me for a while know about my love for anything Donna – besides delicious and fool-proof recipes, her magazine also brings beautiful ideas for home-décor and entertaining. You have also told me, through comments and emails, that some of you can’t find the magazine where you live and/or it costs too much for you to buy it on a regular basis. I have great news for you: Donna has launched her new website and it looks fantastic! You’ll find tons of recipes there (with photos!) and fabulous style ideas. Go on, take a look! I know you’ll love it. :)

Speaking of marvelous things and talented people, I got the recipe for these madeleines on Helen’s blog and made them using the lavender Allen sent me as a gift.

Lavender madeleines

Lavender madeleines

5 tablespoons (70g) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon dried edible lavender
¾ cup (105g) flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/3 cup (67g) sugar
grated zest of half a lemon
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Melt the butter with the lavender and let sit for 10 minutes to infuse. Strain but keep half of the lavender in with butter, or discard the whole amount.
Sieve together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Working with a stand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar and lemon zest until pale and thick, about 3 minutes. Add the honey and vanilla and beat for one minute more. Switch to a rubber spatula and incorporate the dry ingredients. Fold in the butter. Refrigerate the batter at least 2 hours or up to 3 days (it helps with the bumps characteristic of the madeleines).

Preheat oven at 200ºC/400ºF.
Butter and flour your madeleines molds and divide the batter evenly.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until they are golden brown.

Makes 12 – Helen got 24; I halved the recipe and got 15

Lavender madeleines

30 comments:

  1. I am yet to try madeleines..yours look so pretty :-)

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  2. those madeleines look good.

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  3. Can't wait to check out the website.

    Lavender is such a gentle flavor--I can imagine how nice it tastes in madelines.

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  4. these look nice I bet they smell awesome too :-)

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  5. would these madelines work as muffins also?

    Do you have any other good lavender recipies? I've got a bag sitting in my herb drawer waiting to be used.....

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  6. Beautiful! I have lavender in my garden, and though I don't often cook with it, these madeleines look too good to pass up.

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  7. oh, it would have been perfect to eat these madeleines for breakfast this morning ! especially if they are flavoured with lavander !...

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  8. as usual, they look delicious! thank you for the great Donna Hay link too!

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  9. I almost made madelines today! YUM. I am now going to make your recipe tomorrow.

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  10. The Queen of Madeleins strikes again!! Gorgeous! You make me wish I had some for letter tonight. Love it!

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  11. I swear I can smell their sweet scent here...so lovely!

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  12. That looks amazing Patricia! I love the idea of using flowers like Lavender and Violet in cakes.

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  13. Donna Hay is one of my favorites!! Your madeleines looks soooo delicious. I have my tea next to me, why can't I just reach into my computer and grab one?!

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  14. The madeleines look absolutely delicious! I bet the lavender adds a savory floral flavor to them -- yum :-)

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  15. These looks so lovely! I have never cooked with lavander before...

    I am with you in your love for Donna! :) From her recipes to her styling...I love her! I have yet to explore the new website. She is also opening a store in Sydney!!! How I'd love to go!

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  16. Lovely Madeleines! Putting those two together sounds so delicate tasting and special. I was just thinking that I didn't remember seeing lavender in Sao Paulo... the nice gift explains things. What a great way to use it up. :-)

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  17. Those look great. You can never go wrong with a recipe from Helen.

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  18. Can you believe that I have yet baked anything with lavender? Time to change that. (Need to beg someone to give me some fresh stuff or I need to buy the dried ones :P)

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  19. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of flowery scents in my food, but my friend loves lavender and would have loved this recipe.

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  20. Thank you for sharing about her website!! I can't wait to check it out. ANd your medeleines are beautiful!

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  21. i've never even tasted madeleines, much less made them...but the more i see of them, the more i want them!

    these look (and sound) fantastic!

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  22. I haven't made madeleines in a while, it should be time for a batch very soon. Thanks so much for the link to Donna Hay's website. I've never seen her magazine here so I haven't made many of her recipes. I think that might be about to change. :)

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  23. I think you are the queen of madeleines. These sound amazing - honey, lavendar, yes!

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  24. Patricia, I'm a big fan of Donna Hay, but I'm a bigger fan of Madeleines, and your Lavender Madeleines are sheer perfection.

    Considering I still have lavender thriving in my MI. garden, this late in the year, I'd better hurry and make them.

    Beautiful pictures!

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  25. Gorgeous madeleines! Proust would be proud!!

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  26. ooh! I love madeleines and haven't made them in ages! The lavender sounds like such a romantic flavour for these little cakes! Looks yummy!

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  27. I have got to get a madeleine pan! And thanks so much for the Donna Hay link, I love her!

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  28. These look so lovely and elegant, Patricia! I adore madeleines and must try this recipe!

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  29. Sunita, thank you! I'm sure you'll love madeleines once you make them.

    Mindy, thank you!

    Sarah, very gentle and subtle - delicate and girlie, too.

    Snooky Doodle, they did! :)
    Tks!

    Jenn, I know that some people have made madeleines using muffin pans - you just need to be careful with the baking time, ok? Adjust it accordingly.
    Good luck!

    Lydia, you are a lucky person - I want to have lavender in my garden, too. :)

    Vanille, they were gone so fast... :(

    Emily Rose, thank you! I hope you like the website!

    Lindsey, I hope you do! :)
    xx

    Helen, your recipes are always amazing, my dear! Tks for sharing them with us!

    Cathy, thank you, sweetie!

    Lorraine, aren't they very feminine?

    Food Librarian, I love Donna too!
    Have as many madeleines as you want, darling!

    Allen, you are the "responsible" for these, my friend. ;)
    Thank you!

    Joey, it was my first time with lavender, dearie! I think I might get addicted... ;)
    Oh, and a Donna Hay store?? I'd go nuts and someone would have to stop me from buying EVERYTHING. :)

    Alexa, a very dear American friend sent me the lavender. Isn't he just wonderful? ;)

    Pea, I agree. Her recipes are great, great!

    Anh, it was my first time, too, darling!

    Olga, the flavor here is very subtle - I believe that the key is not to use a lot of lavender.

    Deb, I'm sure you'll love Donna's site!

    Kimberley, thank you for dropping me a line!
    Madeleines are very delicate and I'm sure you'll love them.

    LyB, you should definitely pick some of the recipes on the website - they are wonderful!

    Lynn, thank you, dear!

    Marysol, hurry up, my friend! ;)
    xx

    Freya, tks for stopping by!

    Cakebrain, time to make them again! :)

    Pam, I'm glad you like the link, darling!

    Susan, you must! :)

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  30. i have yet to try madeleines... and only a few things w/lavender. those look lovely and i esp like the beautiful orchid you placed in the background :)

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