Bright French Lemon Madeleines With a Delicate Citrus Glaze

Lemon madeleines are the bright version of the shell cake, zest in the batter and a thin glaze on top. I use fresh zest so the citrus tastes real rather than perfumed.

This French Lemon Madeleines Recipe is easy to follow and results in madeleines that are tender and flavorful, coated with a refreshing citrus glaze that enhances their bright lemony taste.

Easy Lemon Madeleines Recipe

These lemon madeleines are baked until golden brown and feature a distinct shell shape. They’re finished with a citrus glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang. This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and bake, yielding approximately 12 madeleines.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 2 lemons
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar for glaze
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice for glaze

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a madeleine pan with butter.
Mix Eggs and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and lemon zest until pale and frothy.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Combine Mixtures: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Pour in the melted butter and lemon juice, and mix until just combined.
Fill the Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine pan, filling each mold about 2/3 full.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the madeleines are golden and spring back when touched.

Cool and Glaze: Allow the madeleines to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over the cooled madeleines.
Serve: Enjoy the madeleines at room temperature, paired with tea or coffee.