Elegant Madeleines
If you’ve never had them, madeleines are little French butter cakes. They are perfect for so many occasions – bridal showers, Easter brunch, Mother’s Day or your coffee in the morning on a random Tuesday.
Today, I thought I would share one of my favourite recipes with you. I personally love madeleines. These are so easy to make (I mean, less than 15 minutes prep time!) and they look so elegant, they are sure to impress your guests.
If you’ve never had them, madeleines are little French butter cakes. They are perfect for so many occasions – bridal showers, Easter brunch, Mother’s Day or your coffee in the morning on a random Tuesday.
Seriously though, these little bite-sized cakes look so pretty on a dessert table.
I personally like to add cinnamon to this recipe because I will eat almost anything if it has cinnamon in it! (Except carrot cake – stop trying to put vegetables in my dessert!!)
The last time I made them, the Mister and I finished the entire batch in one day!! They are so good, you just can’t stop yourself from eating them! Plus I usually make the mini madeleines so it feels like you only had two bites, and so you reach for another. And another…. Before you know it, the entire batch is gone!
I’ve tried various ways of dressing them up by dipping them in chocolate or dusting them with cinnamon sugar - even though they are so pretty on its own.
You can get some really good deals on the pans at places like Winners, Marshal’s and even <Kitchen Stuff Plus http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/trudeau-structure-silcone-madeleine-pan-fuchsia-grey>. I personally bought the mini pans from Amazon because I feel like eating 20 mini madeleines are not as bad as 10 full sized madeleines. (Yes, my logic is flawed. No, I don’t care).
Here is the recipe that I like to use.
Elegant Madeleines
Makes: 24 madeleines
Prep time:
Cook time:
- 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 2/3 cups sugar
- 2/3 cups flour
- 2/3 cups softened butter
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease the madeleine pan with butter.
- Using an electronic hand beater, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and foamy. Add nutmeg and cinnamon into the egg mixture and blend well. Fold in the flour and use a spatula to mix well. Fold in the softened butter and blend.
- Transfer the batter into the madeleine pan and fill about 3/4 of the way. Bake for 10 minutes or until they turn light golden brown.
- Remove the madeleine pan from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.
Papaya Breakfast Parfait
I’m usually not a morning person. But now I’m trying to change that.
My at home breakfast will still have to be quick – and hopefully a little healthier than that granola bar.
I’m usually not a morning person.
I know exactly how long it takes me to get ready for work (no more than 25 minutes!) and I wait for the very last minute to get up out of bed.
But now I’m trying to change that.
I promised Mister Man I will get up 30 minutes earlier and eat a light breakfast, as opposed to eating a granola bar at my desk when I get to work. I will try not to be that crazy lady running down the street because I’m late. Instead, I will leave 5 minutes earlier and stroll down the street, like a civilized person. (Quite the difference).
But I still don’t like wasting time in the morning.
My at home breakfast will still have to be quick – and hopefully a little healthier than that granola bar.
A few weeks ago, Mister Man and I took a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. Every morning, Linda from Bren Brae on the Park served us delicious breakfasts, including a fruit parfait. This got me thinking, this would be the perfect quick breakfast before heading to work!
So, here it is. My take on the breakfast fruit parfait. You can pretty much use any fruit that is in season. I chose papaya simply because I love them. Combined with coconut flavoured yogurt, and I feel like I’m on some exotic vacation. And then reality hits, and I have to head off to work.
Papaya Breakfast Parfait
Energy packed papaya breakfast parfaits are exactly what you need to start your busy mornings.Makes: 8 servings
Prep time:
- 1 medium sized papaya
- 1 pint blackberries
- ½ cup coconut greek yogurt
- cinnamon
- Slice papaya in half and scoop out the seeds using a spoon
- Slice Slice skin off and cut the fruit into bite sized cubes.
- in a bowl or serving glass, add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut yogurt.
- Add papaya and blackberries on top of the yogurt.
- sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
