Description
Delicately soft and chocolatey, these peppermint-kissed madeleines are an elegant holiday treat that come together quicker than you’d expect. Dip them in chocolate, finish with crushed candy canes, and enjoy their light, sponge-cake texture at its very best: fresh from the oven.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter (plus another 2 Tbsp (28g) for the pan)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp (100g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/3 cup (28g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder*
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- optional: 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder*
Topping
- 4 ounces (113g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (40g) crushed candy canes (about 2–3 large candy canes)
Instructions
- Melt 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) butter in a large bowl and set aside to slightly cool as you prepare the rest of the batter.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs and sugar together on high speed for 8–10 minutes. The mixture should be thick, pale, and form ribbons when you lift the beater(s). Beat in the vanilla and peppermint extract just until combined.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together into the bowl with the eggs. Using a silicone spatula, gently fold until just combined.
- Pour in the melted butter and fold with a spatula to combine. It will take a minute of folding to fully incorporate. The batter will be glossy.
- Cover the batter and refrigerate it for at least 45 minutes and up to 2 hours. Any longer and the butter will firm up too much, leaving the batter heavy and the madeleines dense.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Melt the remaining 2 Tbsp (28g) of butter. Lightly brush the wells of the madeleine pan with melted butter.
- The batter will be thick, airy, and spongey after resting. Do not stir it—we don’t want to deflate it. Spoon 1 Tablespoon of batter into the center of each scalloped well. No need to spread it to the edges. Just plop it in the center. (Cover and refrigerate remaining batter if you do not have 2 madeleine pans to bake the batter all at once.)
- Bake for 3 minutes at 425°F; then, without opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for 6-7 more minutes. To test for doneness, lightly press on the top of a madeleine. If it springs back, they’re done. If your finger leaves an indent, let them bake for another minute and then test again.
- Cool the madeleines in the pan for 5 minutes, and then invert the pan onto the cooling rack. Let the madeleines cool completely.
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl or 2-cup liquid measuring cup (best for dunking!). Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring after every 20 seconds until completely melted and smooth. (Or you can use a double boiler.) Dip the tops of the cooled madeleines in the melted chocolate and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top while the chocolate is still wet. Let chocolate set at room temperature, or speed it up by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator.
- Chocolate madeleines are best the day or day after they’re made. They’ll lose a lot of moisture over time, which noticeably affects the texture, so I suggest baking and enjoying them fresh. For this reason, I don’t recommend freezing them, either.
Notes
- Can I Freeze These? Madeleines taste best the day or day after they’re made, so freezing isn’t ideal. If needed, freeze them (undipped) in a single layer for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and then decorate. The texture will be a bit denser after freezing.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowl | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Fine Mesh Sieve | Silicone Spatula | Pastry Brush | Madeleine Pan | Cooling Rack | 2-cup Liquid Measuring Cup or Double Boiler
- Cocoa Powder: For the best-tasting chocolate madeleines, use cocoa powder that is labeled Dutch-processed. Learn more about Dutch-process vs. natural cocoa powder here.
- Espresso Powder: Espresso powder enhances the flavor of the cocoa, but you can simply omit it if you don’t have any on hand. You could also increase the amount if you’d like more of a peppermint mocha flavor.
- How to Melt Chocolate / Best Chocolate for Topping: Finely chop baking chocolate bars (typically 4 ounces/113g each). I prefer Ghirardelli or Baker’s, in either semi-sweet or bittersweet. Place in a heatproof bowl or glass liquid measuring cup. Microwave in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until smooth. (Or use a double boiler.)
- Can I Make These Without a Madeleine Pan? Not exactly. The pan is essential for achieving the signature shell shape and texture. If you don’t have one, this recipe is a great reason to pick one up!
- Can I Skip The Peppermint? Absolutely. Simply leave out the peppermint extract, or try adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for a chocolate-almond twist. You can also decorate with just chocolate or festive sprinkles.