I took our favourite French shell cookies and added canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice to make our new fall deal with! I am additionally right here to elucidate the precise necessities for madeleines. In case your mini cake would not have crisp edges and an enormous hump within the center, I can’t name it a madeleine! Fortunately, these Pumpkin Madeleines meet the necessities in each means!

First, I’ll let you know that this recipe is a model of David Lebovitz‘ recipe that he contains in his cookbook, My Paris Kitchen. I’ve cherished David for years, and have adopted his path from California to Paris. The person is aware of desserts and pastry higher than anybody. I can’t re-print his actual recipe from his ebook (as a result of that’s unlawful), however my recipe has sufficient variation in it to share.
Greater than something, David taught me concerning the two relaxation phases of madeleines, and in addition about how vital honey is for the batter.
Now, I’ll step on my cleaning soap field and preach about precisely what a madeleine cookie is, what it must be, and what to do in case your cookies miss the mark. (Briefly: in the event that they miss the mark, put them within the compost bin; sorry).
For those who’ve ever had a packaged madeleine, I am so sorry. I do know that it was means too mushy, it lacked a bump within the center, and briefly, it was very unhealthy. It was nearer to a mini muffin than a madeleine. I actually can’t even consider madeleines are offered wrapped up in plastic packaging, as a result of this destroys their most dear asset: the crisp butter crust!

A madeleine just isn’t a madeleine with out that fresh-from-the-oven crisp butter crust. Once you chew into it, you need to hear it. It shouldn’t sound or seem like you are biting right into a mushy muffin.
Okay, the subsequent factor: your madeleines want definitive humps within the center. A madeleine with no bump within the center makes me unhappy. I’ve heard it has extra to do with humidity than the recipe, however I’ve made madeleines in all 5 states that I’ve lived in over time, and mine all the time have massive bumps. The baking powder within the batter causes it.
An important factor with this recipe is the resting intervals. Correct resting of the batter makes positive the air bubbles created by the crushed eggs and baking powder are evenly distributed all through the batter. When madeleine batter just isn’t rested, the ultimate cookies comprise pock-marks and air bubbles on the floor.
The way to Make Pumpkin Madeleines
This recipe requires virtually a complete afternoon, nevertheless, most of it’s resting time. I make these on laundry day, when I’ll be round the home and might hear the kitchen timer go off.
Tools Wanted:
- Stand Mixer – If you do not have a kitchen stand mixer, you need to use a hand-mixer as a substitute.
- Kitchen Timer – This recipe has two one-hour relaxation intervals, so a loud timer is useful!
- Madeleine Pan – My pan has 16 areas for cookies, however it’s also possible to use 2 12-space pans, if that is all you’ve. For those who solely have 1 12-space pan, bake the primary 12 cookies, wash and funky the pan, after which use it to bake the remaining cookies. I do not suggest the silicone pans, as a result of the sides of the shells aren’t as clearly outlined after baking.
- Kitchen Scale – I desire to bake this recipe completely by weight, primarily to avoid wasting on dishes. I give directions for cups/spoons and weight each, nevertheless.
The Elements
Actually, the components usually are not very completely different from making my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or my pumpkin donut holes, however the methodology is extraordinarily completely different. So, you probably have all of those components however space on the lookout for one thing simpler, begin there.

- Eggs. We’d like two massive eggs, at room temperature. You’ll be able to rapidly deliver eggs to room temperature by masking them in sizzling water for five minutes. Drain, wipe dry, and crack and use them in your recipe.
- Sugar. We’d like ½ cup, or 100 grams, of granulated white sugar.
- Pumpkin. We’d like American canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. I am a fan of the Libby’s model, as a result of it’s a darkish, wealthy orange shade. I’ve discovered different canned pumpkin merchandise to be yellow (and never fabricated from completely pumpkin).
- Flour. All-purpose flour that has been fluffed, scooped right into a measuring cup, and leveled off with a knife. Or, measure out 140 grams of flour utilizing your scale.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice. One full teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, which is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice. I’ve a recipe to make your individual mix in my do-it-yourself pumpkin spice latte recipe.
- Baking Powder. One and a half teaspoons of baking powder.
- Salt. One-half teaspoon of nice sea salt, for balancing the flavors.
- Vanilla. I all the time bake with actual, pure vanilla extract; ¾ teaspoon right here.
- Butter. We’d like 6 tablespoons (or 3 ounces ) of unsalted butter for the batter, plus an additional 1-2 tablespoons for melting and brushing on the pan earlier than baking.
- Honey. One tablespoon of honey is a trick that I discovered from David that makes for a smoother, non-bubbly batter. I additionally assume the excessive fructose content material in honey is chargeable for the massive hump in some way, however I am unable to show it.
- Optionally available Glaze: If you wish to make an non-obligatory pumpkin spice glaze for these cookies, mix ½ cup of powdered sugar with a splash of milk or cream and a ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin spice spice.
The Directions
Within the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream collectively the eggs and sugar on HIGH till pale, mild yellow and fluffy. The combination will double in quantity, and it ought to take 3-5 minutes of blending time at excessive velocity.
Add the canned pumpkin puree, and beat simply to mix.
Subsequent, sprinkle the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt and vanilla on high. Use a spatula to stir every thing collectively very nicely.
Cowl the bowl of the mixer and let the batter relaxation for 1 hour at room temperature.
In the meantime, soften the 6 tablespoons butter and honey collectively both within the microwave for 30-45 seconds till absolutely melted (or over low warmth in a small saucepan). Let cool for not less than quarter-hour earlier than utilizing.
After the 1 hour relaxation time of the batter, slowly stream the butter and honey combination into the batter whereas stirring. Then, cowl the bowl once more, and let it relaxation for one more hour. (If the butter and honey combination cooled too lengthy and congealed, rewarm it simply sufficient to soften it once more).
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F. Soften the additional 1-2 tablespoons of butter and brush every divot in a 16-hole Madeleine pan with the melted butter generously. Remember to brush across the edges as a result of the cookies puff up. Utilizing a cookie scoop, evenly divide the batter into the 16 areas of the pan.
Bake for 9 minutes. They are going to be very golden brown due to the butter, don’t worry! That is the crisp golden brown edge that you really want in a madeleine.
Take away the pan from the oven, and let sit for 30 seconds. Then, instantly invert the pan onto a cooling rack and the entire madeleines ought to very simply come out. Let the cookies cool fully on the cooling rack.
In a small bowl, whisk collectively the powdered sugar and simply sufficient milk to make a easy, pourable glaze. Whisk within the pumpkin pie spice. Dunk every cookie within the glaze, after which let dry on a wire rack.
These cookies are finest the identical day they’re made, and completely finest when eaten heat. Extra time, the crisp edges soften. You’ll be able to reheat within the oven (with out the glaze) to crisp the sides again up, if wanted.
Do you see the numerous bump within the heart of the cookies under?

FAQ: Pumpkin Madeleines:
Your madeleines are dry since you’re not utilizing my recipe. My recipe under makes tremendous moist, fluffy cookies with a crispy buttery shell. When you make them, you will by no means make every other recipe. Additionally, if you happen to see a madeleine that has pock-marks and plenty of air bubbles on the floor of the cookie, run away from that recipe. My recipe methodology has two one-hour resting intervals, guaranteeing air bubbles are adequately distributed within the batter earlier than being baked.
Madeleines are their very best heat and recent from the oven. It is because the butter begins to chill to room temperature and create a crispy crust, whereas the within of the cake stays heat. Nevertheless, you might bake these forward of time and freeze them. To defrost them, place them on the counter at room temperature for about 4 hours. As soon as they’re mushy, area them on a cookie sheet and rewarm them within the oven till the sides are crisp.
Technically, they’re small French butter muffins. Due to their petite measurement and dunk-ability into espresso, they’re often known as cookies. They’re each, and they’re beautiful.
There are various tales, and none will be confirmed. The story that makes essentially the most sense to me is that they’re named after Madeleine Paulmier, who was cook dinner in 1775 who ready them for Louis XV. And since Louis XV grew to become king at age 5 after his grandfather died, I like to think about him as a kid-king, operating round French palaces consuming piles of those cookies.
Yield: 16
Pumpkin Madeleines
Crisp, buttery French cake cookies known as pumpkin madeleines.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Prepare dinner Time
9 minutes
Further Time
2 hours
Whole Time
2 hours 29 minutes
Elements
- 2 massive eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup (140 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nice sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, plus additional for pan
- 1 tablespoon honey
For the glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- Splash of milk
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Directions
- Within the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream collectively the eggs and sugar on HIGH till pale, mild yellow and fluffy. It is going to double in quantity, and take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the canned pumpkin puree, and beat simply to mix.
- Utilizing a spatula, fold within the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt and vanilla.
- Cowl the bowl of the mixer and let the batter relaxation for 1 hour.
- In the meantime, soften the 6 tablespoons butter and honey collectively both within the microwave for 30-45 seconds till absolutely melted or over low warmth in a small saucepan. Let cool for not less than quarter-hour earlier than utilizing.
- After the 1 hour relaxation time of the batter, slowly stream the butter and honey combination into the batter whereas stirring. Then, let it relaxation for one more hour. (If the butter and honey combination cooled too lengthy and congealed, rewarm it simply sufficient to soften it once more).
- Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F. Soften an additional 1-2 tablespoons of butter, and brush every divot in a 16-hole Madeleine pan with the melted butter generously. Remember to brush across the edges as a result of the cookies puff up.
- Utilizing a cookie scoop, evenly divide the batter into the 16 areas of the pan.
- Bake for 9 minutes. They are going to be very golden brown due to the butter, don’t worry! That is the crisp golden brown edge that you really want in a madeleine.
Take away the pan from the oven, and let sit for 30 seconds. Then, instantly invert the pan onto a cooling rack and all 16 madeleines ought to very simply come out. - Let the madeleines cool fully.
- In a small bowl, whisk collectively the powdered sugar and simply sufficient milk to make a easy, pourable glaze. Whisk within the pumpkin pie spice.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cookies (or dunk half of them within the glaze) and let it dry on a wire rack.
Notes
Sure, 1 cup of flour is usually 120 grams for my baking recipes. Nevertheless, as a result of I tailored this from a French recipe, 1 cup is 140 grams right here. I strongly suggest baking this recipe utilizing a scale.
These cookies are finest the identical day they’re made, and completely finest when eaten heat. Extra time, the crisp edges soften. You’ll be able to reheat them gently within the oven on low to re-crisp the outsides.
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Vitamin Data:
Yield:
16
Serving Dimension:
1
Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 96Whole Fats: 5gSaturated Fats: 3gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 2gLdl cholesterol: 35mgSodium: 156mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g