Madeleine

Madeleine is a traditional small cake from Commercy and Liverdun, two communes of the Lorraine region in northeastern France. Madeleines are very small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape acquired from being baked in pans with shell-shaped depressions.

History

The madeleine is said to have been named after a 19th-century French cook named Madeleine Paulmier, who is credited with inventing the recipe. However, other sources suggest that the name "madeleine" was given to the cakes by Louis XV to honor his father-in-law, Stanisław Leszczyński, the deposed king of Poland, who resided in the French region of Lorraine.

Preparation

Madeleines are made from a genoise cake batter. The batter is similar to that of a basic sponge cake, using eggs beaten with sugar until they are thick and ribbony, then combined with flour, melted butter, and sometimes lemon or almond flavoring. The batter is then spooned into the madeleine mold and baked until golden.

Cultural significance

Madeleines are often associated with the author Marcel Proust, who described them in great detail in his novel In Search of Lost Time. The madeleine is used as a symbol of the involuntary memory that is a central theme of the novel.

Variations

There are many variations of the madeleine recipe. Some recipes include almonds, lemon zest, or orange flower water. There are also chocolate and honey versions. In the Lorraine region, there is a special variety called the "Madeleine de Commercy," which is larger and has a more pronounced shell shape.

See also

• French cuisine
• List of French desserts
• Genoise
• Sponge cake

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