While these chocolate orange madeleines may look fancy, you'll find that these tasty little shell-shaped French treats are actually very easy to make; a perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee.
Why a recipe for chocolate orange madeleines
I've grown up eating madeleines. Living in Paris as a child, I had two indulgences: chocolate croissants, and wonderfully airy madeleines. I used to get both daily (yes, daily.) from the boulangerie located almost right under our apartment.
(Boulangerie is French for 'bakery'. Yes, I lived on top of a bakery. And yes. It was every bit as wonderful as you might imagine.)
I wanted to create another madeleine recipe because I feel like these little French treats are just so versatile, and so accessible. They’re a perfect baking project for days when you don’t have a huge amount of time available.
Jump to:
What are French madeleines?
For the uninitiated, the classic French madeleine may resemble a cookie or a cupcake, but that would be wrong. They're actually closer to a combination of the two with a slightly crisp exterior, but a soft and spongey interior - perfect alongside a cup of tea or coffee.
In the case of this recipe for Chocolate Orange Madeleines, we're infusing the luxuriousness of melted chocolate with flavourful orange zest to create an indulgent twist on the classic French madeleine.
What is the part of a madeleine that rises called?
Different people call the rise on a madeleine different things. Most commonly, it is referred to as the hump or bump of the madeleine. I've recently heard it called the belly, which I think is adorable.
Remember that boulangerie I told you about earlier? Well, the boulanger (French for 'baker') was a middle-aged man with a long, thick moustache (think vaudeville, bestie). Many years ago, when I asked him, he laughed, kissed the bump of the madeleine, and told me it was referred to as the nipple.
So, uhโฆtake from that what you will.
How to get that perfect madeleine hump
For a more traditional madeleine recipe, I'd tell you to refrigerate the batter for up to 4 hours. However, the melted chocolate in these chocolate orange madeleines changes things up a little - if we refrigerate it for too long, the melted chocolate will harden. Ce n'est pas bon, bestie.
…okay, fine. The chocolate will melt once you stick the pan in the oven. But I'm just not a fan of refrigerating chocolate. It's a weird personal quirk, I guess. I honestly don't have any good reason to dislike itโฆbut you know, C’est l’jeu, ma pauvre, bestie.
(So…the joke above is in French. And you may not speak French, which would mean you don’t get the joke. But it's actually much worse than that. You see, even if you do speak French fluentlyโฆunless you're over 30 years old, happened to live in France, and watched a very specific French TV advertisement, that joke will mean nothing to you. However, the four of you that do get it, will be clutching your bellies in hysterics, and wiping tears of nostalgia from your eyes, while simultaneously commending me for my comedic genius.)
Instead, I'm going to suggest you let your batter rest for one hour at room temperature, and freeze your madeleine pan before piping the batter into it.
This is completely optional. The reason for it is that many say that a colder batter results in a bigger bump/hump forming on the back of the madeleine once baked. It's not something that particularly matters to me, so I'll let you guess whether I bothered to take that step or not.
How to store chocolate orange madeleines
Madeleines lose a lot of their moisture fairly quickly, so they are definitely best eaten when still warm and fresh from the oven. You can keep them in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
After thatโฆyou'll have delicious shell-shaped rocks to throw at that noisy neighbour that keeps you up at night because he used to be in theatre, and his theatre friends still come by on weekday evenings just so they can jam together, and they probably sound beautifulโฆexcept, you have a wall between you. So, to you, it sounds like someone rhythmically screaming into a jar, but really it's 2.47am and you have work tomorrow, and you JUST. WANT. TO. SLEEP. because your colleagues already hate that you show up late most days because you're kept up every night by a high-pitched devil that's decided to rendition the entire catalogue of Cats! OKAY, CARL? OKAY?!
โฆ*ahem*โฆ
You can probably freeze the batter for up to 3 months. I've not tried it though. If you want to do this, I'd recommend piping it into the madeleine pan, and then freezing the pan itself after shrink wrapping well.
More madeleine recipes to check out
Madeleine recipes make me want to sing. Here are a few others for you to check out:
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A madeleine pan is required to make madeleines. You can try using a mini muffin pan, but they honestly just don't turn out quite as well.
Chocolate Orange Madeleines. How are we feeling about this recipe? Are you going to make it? Have you already made it? Drop me a message to keep me in the know.
Let's Reminisce
One Year Ago: Blackberry Pancakes with Brown Sugar Butter
Two Years Ago: Fluffy, Fluffy Pancakes
Three Years Ago: Perfect French Toast
Disclaimer: No Carls were harmed in the making of this recipe. Yet.
๐ Recipe
Chocolate Orange Madeleines
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 madeleines 1x
Description
Chocolate Orange Madeleines make for a delicious spin on the popular French treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ยฝ tsp sea salt
- 3 large eggs
- โ cup white sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 ยฝ tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 7 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ยฝ cup dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, honey, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract until a smooth mixture is produced. Whisk the dry ingredients in until just incorporated, and then add the butter, whisking until the mixture is smooth and sticky.
- Gently fold melted chocolate into the mixture until incorporated.
- Transfer batter to a pastry bag (that is, if you’re planning to pipe the batter). Otherwise, just cover your bowl with cling film, and let sit at room temperature for one hour.ย
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat madeleine pan with butter and dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Pipe or spoon (it doesn’t hugely affect the shape of the madeleine) the batter into the pan, filling โ of each madeleine well. Bake for 8-10, until edges are browned slightly, and the body springs back when pressed lightly.ย
- Tap to release the madeleines. Allow a few minutes to cool on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar. Devour.
Notes
- Madeleines are best eaten fresh. However, they can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- The batter can be refrigerated for 3-4 days before baking (I don’t do this myself, but I’m told by many experienced people that it’s okay to do).
- If you’re using a mini madeleine pan, you’ll need to reduce the baking time to approximately 5 minutes.
- Freeze the madeleine pan before piping the batter into it, as the colder pan will help to achieve a taller hump.ย
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
JP
OMG !!! I love your lemon raspberry madeleine recipe so much…I can’t believe you made something I think I might like more!!! I AM SO SO EXCITED! I will be making TONIGHT.
Riz
Hey JP!! I’m so glad to hear that! Those madeleines were one of my early favourites on the blog, and I’m sure you’ll love this chocolate orange version too!
Monica | Nourish and Fete
Chocolate and orange are such a lovely pairing, especially in a sweet treat like these! Madeleines are especially wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon, and these are perfect.
Riz
Thanks so much, Monica! I’m glad you like the chocolate and orange combination too! Yes – these madeleines are great with a cuppa!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum! These madeleines look amazing. I love the combination of chocolate and orange so I know I will love this. Excited to bake it this weekend!
Riz
Thanks for commenting, Sam!! I hope you enjoy them!!
Vanessa
I love this flavour combo. These will pair perfectly with my afternoon tea๐.
Riz
Thanks Vanessa! I agree…perfect with afternoon tea! ๐
Colleen
You certainly found your calling after living on top of a bakery! Chocolate and orange are perfect for these madeleines.
Riz
Hahaha…Colleen! You’re right. Living on top of a bakery probably directly contributed to my love for baked goods! ๐
Ghulam Mohyudin
It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.
Riz
Ah! So happy to hear that, Ghulam!
Heidi Fink
I love the combo of chocolate and orange, and I love any type of tea biscuit, so I will definitely try this recipe.
Riz
Thanks Heidi! I hope you enjoy them ๐
Sabrina
Wow, these are so much easier than I was expecting! A delicious flavour combo and delicate texture, thanks!
Riz
Thanks so much, Sabrina! I’m so happy to hear they turned out so well for you!!!
Cynthia @ Cynful Kitchen
I have a madeleine pan and have always wanted to try a recipe. Pinning it so that I can have a fun day baking with my kids.
Riz
Yaay!! So happy I could help with a recipe. Hope you and the kids love it, Cynthia!
Irina Miron
Bunฤ, cum putem afla in gramaj toate ingredientele? Vฤ mulศumesc
Riz
Hi Irina,
If you click M on the recipe card, there will be a software conversation to show the ingredients by weight.
Hope that helps,
Nancy @instanomss
what a great recipe !! perfect dessert
Riz
Thanks Nancy!!