These matcha madeleines put a fun and tasty spin on a classic French baked treat.
I have been playing and experimenting with matcha these past few weeks.
In preparation and anticipation for my Japan trip later this month, I’ll be sharing a number of matcha desserts!
First up are these matcha madeleines!
Matcha Madeleines
Small, dainty, and oh so tasty. Madeleines are a classic French baked sweet served with tea or coffee.
Madeleines should have a crispy shell exterior and a moist, soft interior.
This recipe makes exactly one dozen matcha madeleines.
Since madeleines are best enjoyed fresh, ideally the same day they are baked, a small batch is the way to go!
How to prepare madeleine pan
Madeleine pans come in various sizes and materials. I prefer the metal pans over the silicone ones.
I personally use this 12 cavity madeleine pan I purchased from Amazon.
Greasing the madeleine pan is a crucial step!
It is important to grease the pan with softened (or melted) butter and dust with flour. This will help with the unmolding of the baked madeleines.
Use a pastry brush to grease the pan with softened or melted butter.
Dust the greased pan with flour. Tap out any excess flour. You just want a thin coating of flour.
Even if you are using a nonstick pan, I still suggest buttering and flouring the mold!
How to fill madeleine pans
There are several ways to fill the madeleine pan with batter:
- I find using a piping bag is the easiest and least messiest way.
- A small cookie scoop is another way to ensure consistent batter amounts.
- Or, simply use two spoons to dollop in the batter.
Fill the madeleine pans about 3/4 full of batter.
Why does madeleine batter need to rest
Allowing the matcha madeleine batter to rest gives the flour time to absorb the liquids in the batter.
This thickens the batter and makes it easier to pipe later.
Also, resting the batter gives the madeleines their signature little hump during baking.
Let the batter chill in the fridge for at least three hours, preferably overnight.
The batter can stay in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Any longer and the batter will dry out or start to separate.
Traditional Madeleines
Classic madeleines are made with melted brown butter (beurre noisette). They are lightly flavored with citrus zest (either lemon or orange) or orange blossom water.
This modern spin on madeleines simples uses melted butter and flavors the sponge cake with matcha powder.
Well beaten eggs leaven for traditional madeleines.
For these matcha madeleines, I have added a touch of baking powder to extra leavening.
Note about Matcha Powder
As I’ve mentioned in these Matcha Sugar Cookies, there are a ton of different matcha powders available.
Not all matcha powders are equal!
They range in taste, bitterness, and color.
Pay attention to the color of the powder. Regardless of the “culinary grade” label, the color is a big indicator of it’s quality.
Make sure to use PURE matcha powder.
Stay away from “matcha powder mix” which is sweetened with sugar or cut with milk powder.
More Madeleine Recipes
- Fun and festive birthday madeleines dipped in white chocolate and covered with colorful confetti sprinkles.
- Chocolate madeleines dipped in chocolate.
- Light and airy strawberry madeleine made with strawberry puree.
- Red velvet madeleines are wonderful for Valentine’s Day or Christmastime!
Matcha Madeleines
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoon (85 g) unsalted butter,, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- ⅓ cup + 2 Tablespoons (93 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon matcha powder*
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- confectioners sugar,, for dusting
Instructions
- Melt butter and allow to cool. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat eggs and egg yolk until light in color. Slowly add sugar and continue to beat until mixture is thick and pale in color, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and salt. Use a spatula to gently fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.
- Add cooled melted butter in two additions. Fold until butter is absorbed into batter. Transfer batter to an airtight container. Let chill in the fridge for at least three hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 12 cavity madeleine pan. Tap out any excess flour.
- Fill madeleine pan ¾ full of batter. Use a piping bag, small cookie scoop, or two spoons to distribute the batter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cakes have a little hump and the top of cake springs back when gently pressed. Allow cakes to cool in pan for one minute before inverting and unmolding. Allow cakes to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar.
- Eat as soon as madeleines are cool enough to pick up. Madeleines are best enjoyed the same day they are baked.
Notes
- Madeleines are best enjoyed the same day they are baked. They will dry out over time.
- I recommend using Rishi “teahouse matcha” or Rishi “barista matcha” to get the same vibrant green color as the matcha madeleines in this post.
- I used this 12 cavity madeleine pan by Fox Run from Amazon
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Great recipe. Enjoying making these with my daughter. I will try the birthday ones next.
Can these madeleines be frozen?