Chocolate Orange Madeleines Recipe
Delight in these decadent Chocolate Orange Madeleines, a perfect blend of rich cocoa and zesty orange flavors. These classic French butter cakes are enhanced with dark chocolate and a fresh burst of orange zest and juice, resulting in a soft, moist, and irresistible treat. Perfect for tea time or a sophisticated dessert, these madeleines are quick to make, with a straightforward batter and a golden-baked finish dusted with icing sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 20 madeleines 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp orange juice
- 7 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate larger bowl, whisk the eggs, white sugar, honey, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Integrate Dry with Wet: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated to avoid overmixing. Then add the melted butter, whisking until the batter is smooth and has a sticky consistency.
- Add Melted Chocolate: Gently fold in the melted dark chocolate until fully incorporated into the batter for rich chocolate flavor throughout.
- Rest the Batter: Transfer the batter to a pastry bag if you plan to pipe it; if not, cover the bowl tightly with cling film and let it rest at room temperature for one hour to develop flavor and texture.
- Prepare Madeleines Pan and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly butter the madeleine pan and dust it with flour, then tap out any excess flour. Pipe or spoon the batter into the molds, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are slightly brown and the centers spring back when lightly pressed.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully tap the madeleines out of the pan and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes. Dust with icing sugar before serving and enjoy these tender, flavorful treats.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is melted but not hot to avoid cooking the eggs when mixed.
- Resting the batter helps enhance the texture and flavor of the madeleines.
- You can substitute dark chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate depending on your sweetness preference.
- Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
- Madeleines are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Keywords: Chocolate orange madeleines, French madeleine recipe, chocolate madeleines, orange zest dessert, baked cocoa madeleines, tea time treats
