Christmas

Glazed Eggnog Madeleines

by:
June 30, 2021
4.3
7 Ratings
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Makes 24 madeleines
Author Notes

These tender-crumbed cookie-cakes are a classic French treat and perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea. The flavors of eggnog put this recipe squarely in the holiday realm, making it a great addition to your seasonal cookie assortment. For the best results, chill the batter and freeze the pan. The madeleines are best when eaten the day they are made.

NOTE: Special equipment is needed for this recipe: 12-mold standard-sized madeleine pan; 1 tablespoon cookie scoop (optional); wooden skewer or similar tool

Excerpted from Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden (Ten Speed Press). Copyright © 2017. —Food52

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the madelines
  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons bourbon or Cognac
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup (6 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • For the glaze
  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
  1. To make the madeleines, sift flour, baking powder, and cloves into a bowl, then whisk in the salt and nutmeg. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the eggs, yolks, and granulated sugar and whisk on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, until pale and airy. Remove the bowl from the mixer stand, add the flour mixture, and, using a rubber spatula, fold in gently. Add the bourbon, cream, and 1/2 cup of the melted butter and continue to fold gently until the ingredients are incorporated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, brush the madeleine molds with 2 tablespoons of the remaining butter, then place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  3. Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the pan from the freezer. Using the scoop or two tablespoons, scoop a rounded tablespoon of batter into each prepared mold. Then, using the wooden skewer, spread the batter gently to evenly fill the mold. Bake the madeleines for about 12 minutes, until lightly golden brown and a slightly raised bump forms in the center of each one.
  4. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Using a fork, gently loosen each madeleine from its mold, then tip the pan to turn the madeleines onto the rack, scalloped side up, and let cool completely.
  5. Wash and dry the pan, brush the molds with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and place the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes. Fill the molds with the remaining batter, then bake and cool the same way.
  6. To make the glaze, in a bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and nutmeg to the thickness of heavy cream. One by one, dip each madeleine into the glaze at an angle, covering about 1 inch. Place them back on the cooling rack until ready to serve.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • melephant
    melephant
  • Halley
    Halley
  • Elizabeth Naumann
    Elizabeth Naumann
  • Jessica
    Jessica

5 Reviews

melephant December 11, 2021
The cookies came out really well! I followed the cookie recipe exactly and got nice compliments on it. For the liquor I used Bulleit bourbon.

The only reason why I gave the recipe four stars is because I did not love the glaze. Now, I didn't actually try the glaze and cookie combined before I altered it, so it's possible that others would enjoy it, but for me the taste of the confectioner's sugar was a little sickly sweet. To tamp down that sweetness a bit and not contradict the eggnog flavor, I added black walnut bitters and cherry bark vanilla bitters from my liquor shelf to taste and I loved it!

Will definitely be making this again. It was my first experience with madeleines so thanks for a great recipe!
 
Halley December 6, 2017
I think I found my cookie exchange recipe for 2017! For an eggnog cookie I'd be tempted to use rum. See what happens.
 
Elizabeth N. December 4, 2017
Would it be okay to use a nonstick Madeleine pan? or is it best to use NOT a nonstick steel pan?
 
Jessica December 1, 2017
Could these be included as part of a holiday package and mailed? Or would they be likely to smush/get stale?
 
Jessica December 6, 2017
Thank you for the prompt advice!