The Ultimate Eggnog Madeleines (Elegant Holiday Treat!)
Imagine a classic, shell-shaped French madeleine, impossibly light and tender with a delicate, cake-like crumb. Now, infuse it with the warm, festive spices of Christmas—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—and a hint of creamy eggnog, then dust it in a sparkling coat of spiced sugar. That, my friends, is the elegant, enchanting magic of these Eggnog Madeleines….
Imagine a classic, shell-shaped French madeleine, impossibly light and tender with a delicate, cake-like crumb. Now, infuse it with the warm, festive spices of Christmas—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—and a hint of creamy eggnog, then dust it in a sparkling coat of spiced sugar. That, my friends, is the elegant, enchanting magic of these Eggnog Madeleines. This is, without a doubt, the most sophisticated and delightful little cookie you will bake this holiday season.
I promise you, there is no greater baking triumph than turning out a pan of these perfect, golden, shell-shaped beauties. The aroma of the warm spices as you toss them in the cinnamon-sugar is pure holiday bliss. They are a true show-stopper for a Christmas tea, a sophisticated addition to a cookie platter, or the perfect little treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.
Get ready to master the art of the madeleine and create a batch of stunning, delicate, and delicious cookies that will have everyone thinking you trained in a Parisian bakery.
Why These Eggnog Madeleines are a Holiday Must-Bake
You are going to be completely captivated by the delicate texture and warm, festive flavor of these cookies. They are a true holiday elegance. Here’s why:
- A Sophisticated Holiday Twist on a Classic: We’ve infused the beloved French madeleine with the iconic Christmas flavors of eggnog, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Incredibly Light and Tender Texture: Using cake flour and the proper mixing technique results in a wonderfully delicate, soft, and cake-like cookie that is simply irresistible.
- The Signature “Hump”: This recipe is designed to create that coveted “hump” on the back of the madeleine, the true sign of a perfectly baked one!
- Stunningly Beautiful and Elegant: The beautiful, iconic shell shape and the sparkling spiced-sugar coating make these cookies a true showpiece on any holiday dessert table.
- A Perfect Make-Ahead Batter: The batter requires a chilling period, which means you can make it a day in advance and bake fresh, warm madeleines whenever you’re ready!
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Chill Time | 2 hours |
| Cook Time | 8 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours 33 minutes |
| Servings | 28 madeleines |
| Calories | 95 kcal per madeleine (estimated) |
| Course | Dessert |
| Cuisine | French |
| Difficulty/Method | Intermediate / Baking |
Your Shopping List for These Elegant Cookies
These delicate cookies come together with a handful of classic baking staples.
→ For the Eggnog Madeleines
- 1 cup cake flour → The secret to a super fine, light, and tender crumb. Spooned and leveled.
- 1 tsp baking powder → To give our madeleines their signature puff and hump.
- Warm Spices: A pinch of ground cloves, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (all divided).
- 2 large eggs → The foundation of our delicate, cake-like batter.
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar → Divided for the batter and the spiced sugar coating.
- 1 Tbsp pure honey → Adds a touch of flavor and moisture.
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract → For classic, warm flavor.
- ¼ tsp kosher salt → To balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter → Melted, for a rich and tender cookie. Plus more for greasing the pan.
- 2 Tbsp eggnog → Infuses the batter with a subtle, creamy, festive flavor.
Let’s Get Baking! Your Step-by-Step Madeleine Guide
Ready to create these elegant French cookies? The secret is all in the chill.
Part 1: The Spiced Eggnog Batter
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, ground cloves, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp nutmeg.
- Whip the Eggs and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and ⅓ cup of the granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mixture is thick, pale in color, and falls from the whisk in a ribbon.
- Combine the Batter: Whisk the honey, vanilla, and salt into the egg mixture. Gently whisk in the flour mixture until just combined. Finally, whisk in the melted butter and eggnog until the batter is smooth.
- Chill the Batter: This is a crucial step! Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the batter for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours. This rest period allows the batter to hydrate and creates the signature hump.
Part 2: Bake, Coat, and Serve
- Preheat and Prep: When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously brush the wells of a madeleine pan with melted butter.
- Make the Spiced Sugar: In a small, shallow bowl, stir together the remaining ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp nutmeg.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon or pipe about 1 tablespoon of the chilled batter into each well of the prepared pan. Do not overfill. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until the edges are golden brown, the tops are puffed, and the cookies spring back when gently pressed.
- Coat in Sugar: Immediately invert the hot cookies from the pan onto a wire rack. Working one at a time while they are still warm, toss each madeleine in the spiced sugar mixture until it’s evenly coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Spiced Eggnog Madeleines with Cinnamon Sugar
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sift together flour, baking powder, cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg in a bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs and 1/3 cup granulated sugar until thick and pale. Whisk in honey, vanilla, and salt.
- Gently whisk the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Then, whisk in the melted butter and eggnog until smooth. Cover and chill the batter for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously brush the wells of a madeleine pan with melted butter. Spoon or pipe about 1 tablespoon of the chilled batter into each well.
- Bake until golden brown and the cookies spring back when pressed, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Immediately invert the hot cookies onto a wire rack. While still warm, toss each cookie, one at a time, in the spiced sugar mixture to coat.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Madeleines
These simple secrets are the key to achieving that classic French bakery result.
- The Chill Time is Non-Negotiable. I cannot stress this enough. Chilling the batter for at least two hours is the scientific secret to getting that coveted “hump.” The shock of the cold batter hitting the hot pan causes it to rise rapidly in the center.
- Use Cake Flour If You Can. While all-purpose flour will work in a pinch, cake flour has a lower protein content, which results in a much more delicate, tender, and fine- crumbed madeleine. It’s worth it for that authentic texture.
- Properly Prep Your Pan. For the madeleines to release cleanly and have that perfect, detailed shell pattern, the pan must be well-greased. Use a pastry brush to get melted butter into every single ridge of the wells.
- Don’t Overfill the Wells. Fill each well only about three-quarters full. This gives the madeleines room to puff up and form their hump without overflowing.
- Coat Them While They’re Warm. Toss the madeleines in the spiced sugar mixture as soon as they are cool enough to handle. The residual warmth will help the sugar adhere beautifully to the surface.
Keep Them Fresh! Storing Your French Cookies
Madeleines are famously at their absolute best the day they are baked, ideally, still slightly warm from the oven.
- Storage: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Their texture will become slightly denser, but they will still be delicious.
- Make-Ahead Batter: The best way to have fresh madeleines is to make the batter ahead of time. The batter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours (or even 24 in a pinch). You can bake off small, fresh batches whenever you want!
FAQs: Your Madeleine Questions, Answered!
Do I really need a special madeleine pan?
To get the classic, beautiful shell shape, yes, a madeleine pan is necessary. However, if you just want to enjoy the delicious flavor, you can bake this batter in a greased mini muffin tin. The texture will be the same, just a different shape! You’ll need to watch the baking time, as it may vary slightly.
My madeleines didn’t get a hump! What did I do wrong?
This is the classic madeleine conundrum! The most common reason is not chilling the batter for long enough. It really needs that full 2-hour (or longer) rest in the cold. The second reason could be that your baking powder is old and no longer active.
Can I make this recipe with different spices?
Absolutely! This is a wonderful base recipe. You could try it with cardamom and orange zest for a different flavor profile, or simply use just cinnamon for a classic taste. You can also omit the eggnog if you don’t have it on hand.
Can I dip these in chocolate instead of coating them in sugar?
Yes, and that would be delicious! Let the madeleines cool completely, then dip the shell-side in melted white or dark chocolate and place them on parchment paper to set. A white chocolate dip would be particularly festive.
Final Thoughts: Your Most Elegant Holiday Cookie
There is nothing more special than mastering a classic French cookie and giving it your own festive twist. These Eggnog Madeleines are a true taste of holiday elegance—light, fragrant, and utterly delicious. They are a wonderful way to bring a touch of Parisian charm to your Christmas celebration. I hope they become a new and beloved tradition. Happy Baking!
