Orange Blossom Madeleines
Light and butter-y Madeleines are infused with the unmistakably delicate fragrance of orange blossom. These classic French pastries are so easy to make, and perfect for a Spring party!
I recently acquired a little bottle of orange blossom water, aka Orange Flower Water. I was so happy to have the opportunity to bake with it, because honestly I never have before!
Baking with floral flavors like rose and lavender is one of my favorite things to do, and now I’m so glad to be able to add a new floral essence to my collection. Orange Blossom Water is just as subtle and aromatic as rose water, but in a more restrained and less perfume-y way. It’s the sort of thing, when you taste it, you’re not even quite sure it’s there, but there’s just something about it that makes it so unusual and memorable.
After doing a little research on orange blossom water, I learned that one of its best flavor pairings is butter. I instantly knew…
Madeleines are a perfect way to showcase the delicate flavor. If you’ve never had a madeleine before, it’s sort of a cross between a cookie and a cake. They’re slightly crisp on the outside, with a soft and sponge-y interior. I used my best European-style butter from Kerrygold, so these classic French pastries were extra rich and full of buttery flavor. I just LOVE them with hot tea or cocoa. Plus their seashell shape is so pretty, don’t you think?
These are just perfect for a baby or bridal shower, or even for a Mother’s Day brunch or tea party. You could even package them up in cello bags or pretty cupcake papers, and give them as favors. They’re not at all hard to make, just be sure to really whip the eggs and sugar until very pale and thick. The air that you work into the mixture is the only leavening they get, so be sure to keep it nice and light!
Orange blossom water is made by distilling the actual flowers from orange trees, and it can easily be sourced online. Or, since it’s used a lot in French and Middle Eastern desserts, it can also be found in gourmet grocery stores and ethnic markets.
I should also mention that I used a non-stick mini-madeleine pan. I misted it lightly with canola oil spray, but they still weren’t coming loose without some effort. So, I’d definitely recommend greasing the pan generously, and maybe even sprinkling it with a dusting of flour.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are enjoying the start of this lovely week! Everything is starting to look so green and lush, I’m just so thrilled with the start of Spring!
Tools/Ingredients you may need:
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Orange Blossom Madeleines
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (133.33 g) sugar
- 3 large eggs, (preferably at room temperature)
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) orange blossom water
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour,, sifted
- 10 tablespoons (147.87 g) unsalted butter,, melted and cooled slightly
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar,, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sugar, eggs, and salt in a mixing bowl and whip on medium-high speed until very pale and thick.
- Stir in the orange blossom water.
- Add the flour and melted butter alternately, folding gently so the batter loses as little volume as possible.
- Refrigerate the batter (covered), for 45 minutes or until thickened.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease a madeleine pan generously, and lightly dust with flour, knocking off any excess.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared pan (1 tablespoon per well for standard-sized madeleines, 1/2 teaspoon per well for mini-madeleines).
- Bake standard-sized madeleines for 12-14 minutes, mini-madeleines for 8-9 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. (If you have only one pan, bake in sequence, keeping the remaining batter refrigerated.)
- Cool in the pan for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar, for garnish.
Wow these look so lovely! I’ve never made madeleines before but I am so tempted now. Orange blossom – yum!
Right? As soon as I got that little bottle I couldn’t wait to try it out. I’m so happy you like, Jess!
Allie, madeleines are our favorites at home. Each time, FIL visits us, he never skip madeleines. He will be so happy to try this one. Orange blossom sounds delicious!
It really is! I have a new favorite 😉 So glad to know you are a fan too! Thanks Linda <3
I love Madeleines, and the orange blossom flavor sounds delicious! Pinned.
Thank you so much Marcie! I really appreciate the pin 🙂
These are just beautiful, Allie! I love how elegant madeleines are and the orange blossom water sounds perfect! ❤
The orange blossom water is so unique. I loved how subtle and different the flavor was. Thanks so much Kelly!
Never tried Orange Blossom Water, but need to get some! These cookies look beautiful! Love madeleines 🙂
I do too! The orange blossom water is really nice and just a little different. Thank you so much Mira!
These most certainly are perfect for spring! I actually have a bottle of orange blossom water in my cabinet that’s been collecting dust because I bought it thinking I would have time to experiments with it… no such luck 😉 But now I have a recipe I can make with it, and I know it will be fantastic, because it came from you 🙂
Aw, that is so sweet! Technically it came from King Arthur Flour, lol, but I tested it and it was perfect! Hopefully it inspires you to play with your orange blossom water- I think it’s such an interesting flavor 🙂
These are the prettiest cookies ever! I always wanted to get a madeleine pan and make these. Haven’t yet, but you’ve inspired me to get it back on my radar! Pinned. 🙂
Thanks so much Meggan! I’ve had my madeleine pan forever I think. I probably drag it out about once a year and when I do, I always think “why don’t I make these more often??” They’re such a treat!
I love madeleines – these look effortlessly chic and stunning, Allie! I love the orange blossom flavour. Pinning the recipe to try! 😀 x
Thank you so much Jess! I hope you enjoy as much as I did!
I love the shape of madeleines, they’re so pretty to look at and even better to eat. These are delicious and I love the use of the orange blossom water.
Thank you so much Janette! I totally agree- something about those seashells just seems so elegant and special.
Allie, these are so beautiful!!! love the orange blossom water!!
Thanks so much Alice! The orange blossom water is sooo good!
They look amazingly delicious. Do you have a preferred grain free flour that you could suggest for a substitute for the flour? Thanks!
Thank you so much Janie! I have to admit, grain-free baking is something I know very little about. However, my friend Alessandra, who blogs at The Foodie Teen, has a gorgeous recipe for Paleo Primal Grain-free Gluten-free Dairy-free French Madeleines (say that five times fast!). You can check it out here. Hope that helps!
These madeleines are just beautiful! I’m imagining there delicate buttery orange flavor and wishing I had one to taste!
Thank you so much Kristine! I wish I could give you some! I’m getting myself into trouble with them over here 😛
I have never worked with floral flavors but have wanted to play around with lavender. The orange blossom water sounds like the perfect flavor for these delicate madeleines. Love!
Lavender is definitely a favorite of mine too! So fun in spring and summertime. Thank you so much sweetie! xoxo
I have yet to make Maeleines. They’ve been on my list for what seems like ages. I need to get my butt in gear. These sounds amazing. Love the addition of orange blossom water.
Oh girl- get that butt in gear! They are so simple to make and so rewarding. You won’t regret it! Thanks so much Jennie!
I LOVE Madelines! I had some of the best when I was in Paris a few years ago. I love getting your perspective on how to make them since you are a former pastry chef! I just came across your blog today and it’s beautiful! I’ve always wanted to try to cook with floral flavors and really expand my baking background, so I’m excited to give this recipe a try! Great recipe!
Aw thank you so much! I feel like Madeleines are one of the easiest to make, fanciest-looking of all treats. They’re so rewarding! Thank you so much for the sweet compliments and for stopping by 🙂
These madeleines are seriously so stunning, Allie! I love all the orange goodness you packed into them! How perfect would these be for Mother’s Day?! 🙂
It’s like you read my mind Sarah! Hahaha… thanks so much hon!