Foodiva's Kitchen: French Fridays With Dorie - Honey Rose Spiced Madeleines and Giveaway Winner

Friday, September 23, 2011

French Fridays With Dorie - Honey Rose Spiced Madeleines and Giveaway Winner

“Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.”
~ Mark Twain

Did I manage to fool you into thinking that I made madeleines this week for French Fridays? Well, the batter was for madeleine cookies for sure, but I do not own a madeleine baking pan. Although I've had these delicious, made-for-dunking cookies before, I'd never been tempted to make them until this week's recipe came along. As soon as these came out of the oven and were popped into my mouth, however, I wondered why I never tried my hand at making them for they were A+ delicious!



I fretted for weeks trying to figure out how to bake these madeleines without resorting to another possibly-one-off kitchen gadget purchase. Besides, my baking cabinet was already bulging to the brim with baking tools and gadgets that there was no way I could possibly squeeze another implement in there. Unless someone out there builds me a bigger cabinet or buys me another one, of course :-).

My faux madeleine molds

So while I was out at a baking store, not really *ahem* looking for a madeleine pan, I came across stacks of these disposable, shallow tart molds (above). They were sold for around US$1.00 for 50 pieces, a bargain, wouldn't you say? The sides of the molds had grooves that reminded me of the shell-like features of a proper madeleine pan. I spent the $1.00 without hesitation.

Julienned orange peel (left) and some wild Borneo honey (right)!

Dorie's recipe was an absolute delight because of the flavorful ingredients contained in it. Ginger, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper gave the cookies an interestingly subtle spiciness while the honey provided the warmth and sweetness. I made two slight modifications - instead of orange zest, I used very thinly sliced orange peel (dislodged using a potato peeler), and instead of vanilla, I added a dash of rosewater. The mix of orange and rose aromas is magic in itself, but coupled with the presence of the spices... well, they all reacted chemically to transform these madeleines into some form of drug. Probably to my detriment, I discovered that I couldn't just stop eating them at one (or two, or three). These babies were seriously addictive!


Using my mini-muffin pan, I tilted the tart molds into the muffin cups so that one side of the grooves will be more prominent once the cookies were baked, à la proper madeleines. Then of course, my first batch spilled out over the brim but the whole debacle simply taught me some valuable lessons: 1. never tilt molds when baking runny-ish batter, 2. the spilled-over cookie edges can be easily trimmed after baking, 3. don't be afraid of seeming foolish and just experiment away. If this hadn't worked out, I could always have made another one of Dorie's recipes... :-) 


So it looks as if I may have to hunt down that madeleine pan after all. This is a recipe I definitely want to try out again, however I have no desire to tilt more shallow tart molds in order to do it. Oh boy...that extra baking cabinet better be in our next kitchen expansion plans!


And now for the winner of my mooncake press giveaway.....by Random.org's pronouncement, it's Ei of Cookbook Immersion Project. If that's not enough to make you jealous, she's also moving to NAPLES (as in Italy)! Ei, I'll get in touch with you soon about which mailing address to send this to - the US or Europe? :-)


List Randomizer

There were 22 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
  1. Ei
  2. Evelyne
  3. Jen
  4. Adriana
  5. Betsy
  6. Trix
  7. Mardi
Before you enter the weekend, take some time to watch this 3-minute talk by Stacey Kramer on a mysterious gift she once received, and the things she learnt from it. Have a lovely weekend, peeps!


43 comments:

Ei said...

YAHOO! Thanks!! I never win anything. I'll make some Christmas cookies with my new press in your honor! :-)

We won't head to Italy until next summer, so I have a long year left here in texas. Sigh. :-)

Very creative use of those tart pans. I'm impressed. They really came out looking like madeleines! If you hadn't said so, I wouldn't have questioned them. Rose water sounds like a nice addition. I remember eating lots of rose-flavored desserts in Paris, and thinking that they were so weird but SO GOOD.

Nancy said...

Hola Maya:)!
First congrats to Ei, yay!! Maya you are so creative. If you hadn't mentioned that the molds were not Madeline mold it wouldn't be caught right away. Great twist on Dorie's recipe. I always prefer to use coarse peel instead of zest, just gives more punch.
Haha, I hope Foodivo reads this and add the cabinet to your new kitchen. I won't allow myself to go to the home department or specialty shops because my kitchen is tiny, tiny and no room as it is for the few things I have. Anyway I see that cabinet in your future:)

Loved this TED talk, it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing it and have a gorgeous weekend:)

Unknown said...

Ei, congratulations! Those Christmas cookies sound good, make sure you post them up when you've made them so we can all ogle away :-). On hindsight, I should've spilled the beans at the end of this post...at least everyone could have another minute thinking they were the traditionally-made madeleines! LOL.

Cher Rockwell said...

Oh, you clever, clever chickie. Leave it to you to come up with a madeline that looks like a madeline but not because you used a madeline pan.
Clever. Clever. Clever.

Unknown said...

They are so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Ei and what a clever way to make madeleines!

S.V. said...

These look fantastic.... what a great way to make madeleines without the pre fab pan. I love these cookies and this flavor combo sounds amazing.

Jill @ MadAboutMacarons said...

Your madeleines look fabulous! Love the spices (including the pepper) in there for something completely different. Molds are great, too.

Anonymous said...

That's one of my favorite Mark Twain quotes, but he has so many great ones that it's hard to pick.

As for your madeleines, great job! They look perfect and I never would have known that you didn't use the proper pan.

btw - I also tried your spoon idea but it turns out that my spoons are too small and so I went with muffin tins instead. Certainly not as pretty as your little tart pans though.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Wow, are you ingenious!!! And your resulting madeleines are gorgeous!!!

Mardi Michels said...

What a bargain and what a creative thinker you are! I - ahem - happen to have a madeleine mold that I brought back from France this summer but it's only for 9 madeleines - perfect as I don't think they keep well. I made the classic version and had a few problems with overflowing batter but will definitely try again, learning from my mistakes next time. Yours are simply gorgeous.

Ashley@Bakerbynature said...

These are gorgeous! I have yet to try a madeline; I need to change this very soon.

Vicki Bensinger said...

These sound wonderful. I love making Madeleine's and as a member of French Fridays with Dorie I feel bad that I didn't. I just haven't had time to take on anything else lately.

However I have to say that you spent more on 30 tart pans than it would have been to purchase 2 Madeleine Pans you should be able to find those online. If not let me know and I will gladly send you some.

I have to say though you were very clever in coming up with a solution.

Anonymous said...

What great faux madeleine molds! Great post!

Jen at The Three Little Piglets said...

Ok the madeleines look amazing, but HOLY COW that video was amazing! Got me all goose bumpy and teary eyed! WOW!

Cakelaw said...

Great work on the moulds - they look very similar to madeleines in shape. Also, the madeleines look so lovely all lined up.

Frankly Entertaining said...

Genius substitution with the molds!!

TinaRBK said...

Nice flavor twist, using the rosewater and honey. Also creative use of a different type of mold for these wonderful cookies. Well done-yum!

Sandra said...

I can't find anywhere molds in stores I mean to make those..and you just opened up the whole new world to me hahaha...thank you for this incredible idea..wowww!! So glad that you have a blog!!!:))

Trevor Sis Boom said...

Wow. What innovation! I am truly impressed and they turned out so great! I never let anything like 'lack of space' stop me from a pan purchase however. Oh, and "foodivo" make me laugh out loud!

Susan said...

Really great post! I love how creative you were! I have some rosewater - I'll have to try it!

Lilly said...

You are so creative!! I love that you get 50 molds for a buck!! They’re great! I don’t have a madeleine pan either. Been eyeing it for a while but the price hasn’t dropped. Man those things are EXPENSIEVE!
Ei congrats on winning the cookie presser!

Kathy said...

You are just so creative...what a great substitute for a madeleine mould. The resulting little cake look gorgeous! I often use rosewater in my madeleines. Lovely post!

Unknown said...

Well everybody already said it but I'll have to mention it again- you are one creative blogger;-) Who needs madeleine molds?? Just more stuff to store in your kitchen!
Your little cakes look lovely, please pass the tea, thank you;-)

Anonymous said...

your idea to tilt the pans had such a stunning effect! I think you should do it this way everytime! ... although if you are like me, you wont be able to hold off buying a madeleine pan for too long... :)

Adriana said...

Love the crisp edges in your madeleines... so pretty and tasty! I think you should market your newfound madeleine pans. :-P

Elaine said...

What a wonderfully creative idea to use those molds and tilt them in the muffin pan, Maya! Your madeleines are beautiful. I love the detail on them!

Betsy said...

Congrats to Ei! I'm jealous.
Maya, if you hadn't told your secret, I would have thought you used a madeleine mold with a unique shape. I like the sound of the rosewater with the orange. I'll have to try that variation. You are so creative!

laurcl said...

I think they look beautiful and a little bigger than if you'd used a traditional pan? If so, I see that as a good thing! Reading your post I realized I forgot the pepper and didn't even miss it.

I'm going to share this TED video. I know several people who would get a lot out of it, as I did. Thank you.

Gina said...

I must confess to owning a pan, but rarely using it. So I think you should force Fooddivo to build you more cabinets, so you can store useless pans Gina says you should own, lol. I promised my cousin a recipe for these, I will have to write down Dorie's for here. Hope you have a great weekend.
-Gina-

Kris' Kitchen said...

You are so clever. I love your disposable molds...great idea. I think your madeleines look perfect.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant solution to the madeleine pan problem! They look authentic enough, but also have their own flair. I love your substitution of rosewater, too. I can imagine how good that would have been.

Confessions of a Culinary Diva said...

You had me fooled! They look just like Madeleines in your finished product photos! What a creative way to multi-task. I also had never made these before, and they are making it into my permanent collection.

Unknown said...

mi piace molto il tuo blog! ti inserisco nella lista visibile del mio e ti seguo! baci :)

the [sugar] apothecary said...

You are so crafty! 100 mini tins for $1?! What a steal. They look like little oysters, hanging out in that baking pan :)

Robin said...

How creative! Your cakes look beautiful.

Torviewtoronto said...

innovative way to use these mould looks wonderful Maya
congrats to the winner

Magic of Spice said...

What a brilliant idea...you are so a Diva! They look wonderful :)

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

OMG what a brilliant mold alternative. Love it. Madeleines remind me of my grandmother, fond memories. SHOOT, I was number 2 on the draw hi hi. Next time.

Elin said...

Maya, you re so creative...I would have thought it was madeleines ...well done ! I was away in KL so gave this a miss :) I bet it taste good :)

Tasty Trix said...

Congrats to Ei! Okay, like Spicie Foodie I would not have known right away - this is SO clever. You are the McGyver of Madeleines.

Unknown said...

Doristas and friends, thanks so much for supporting my crazy madeleine idea! I haven't had much time lately to go around and check everyone's madeleines yet but I'll make an effort this week as I sure don't want to miss reading your experiences on FFWD. <3 ya all!

Unknown said...

Trixiebelle, I'm Mrs. McGyver now? LOL, the only things I fix around here are hearts and empty stomachs, I'm afraid!

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