Homemade Madeleine Cookies for Nautical Themed Baby Shower Favors

I throw a lot of nautical themed parties.  Not just because I love the look, but because its a versatile theme.  Here's a little secret: if you throw your parties with the same theme you not only save time but money and space also.  I save money and space because I have all the decorations for a nautical themed party (sea shells, lanterns, candles) so I don't have to fill my garage with decorations. I save time because I know exactly what's going to be on the menu and exactly what party favors I'm going to give.  For a nautical themed party I always give Madeleines out as the party favor.  They are great because they look like shells (nautical theme), relatively inexpensive, they taste great, and they don't become junk in someone's house (a must for favors that I give out).

I have the templates for the favors saved and always just change up the image and name on the label.  To make the favors look more professional I package them individually in plastic bags and adhere the label on top.

Basic Madeleine recipe below.

Home Made Madeleine (these are a tad on the too brown side).

Three eggs at room temperature.

Sifted flour.

Mix together

Fill greased pan

Remove from oven when edges start to brown.  Let cool on wire rack.

After Madeleines are cooled place in plastic baggies.

Custom labels I printed out .

To make the label look nice I staple on the back side and then use double sided tape to tape to the front so you do not see a staple in the front.

Place in a cute basket and favors are ready to go.

Basic Madeleine Recipe

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan or in the microwave, melt the butter.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugars at high speed until the mixture is thick and pale in color.  Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. Fold in, using a rubber spatula or whisk. Fold In one third of the four mixture. Slowly add flour until completely mixed.  Do not over mix.  Gently fold in melted butter.  Cover and refrigerate the batter for at least one hour.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease the molds of two - 12 – large Madeleine with melted butter. 

Fill the batter into the pans 80% full.

Bake the Madeleines for about 8 to 11 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Do not overbake!

Remove the pans from the oven and place Madeleines on a wire rack to cool. 

Makes about 24 - 3 1/2 inch (8,.5 cm) Madeleines.