Sunday 22 May 2011

Lavender and Honey Madeleines


I've got to tell you, I felt a little tingle as I returned to my blogging this weekend. It really is great to be back! And what a glorious weekend it's been in Sydney... crisp Autumn air, clear blue skies and beautiful sunshine. On afternoons like these, I like nothing more than the opportunity to sit back and relax on my balcony with Mr Ladybird over a nice cup of tea and something freshly baked. I am also savouring such moments as I approach a big change in my life...


You see, while I've been away I have been doing a little baking of my own, and I am delighted to tell you all that I have a bun in the oven! Yes, Mr Ladybird and I are expecting our first child! We are absolutely delighted and can't wait to meet our little one in October.

So there you have it - there's my news... As my first recipe after my hiatus, here is a lovely recipe for delicious madeleines ever so lightly touched by the scent and flavours and lavender and honey - a winning flavour combination, I think :)



Lavender and honey madeleines
(Recipe adapted from 'Petit Fours' by Murdoch Books)

How many madeleines this recipe will make depends on the size of your madeleine moulds. My tray's mould's are quite large (8cam in length), and this recipe made 8 - just enough for afternoon tea with 2 or 3 people. These are best served the same day as baking.


Ingredients

30g (1 oz) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons honey
2 1/2 tbsp white sugar
1/2 tsp dried (culinary) lavender
30g (1oz) plain flour
1 1/2 tbsp ground almonds
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degree celcius (350 F/ Gas 4). Use pastry brush to lightly grease madeleine moulds.
2. Melt the butter and honey in a small saucepan. Set aside to cool.
3. Place the sugar and lavender in a mortar and pestle and grind to release the fragrant oils. Sift the lavender sugar to remove the lavender husks.
3. Sift the flour, ground almonds and three pinches of salt three times. This will help to lighten the texture of the madeleines.
4. With an electric mixture, whisk the egg and sugar mixture until thick and creamy.
5. With a metal spoon, fold in the cooled honey/butter mixture, followed by the flour. Fold until just combined. Allow mixture to stand for 10 minutes.
6. Spoon the mixture into madeleine moulds until they are around three-quarters full.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly golden. Carefully remove from the moulds and place on a wire rack to cool. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve.

Note: As you can see from the madeleines pictures, mine are a little past being lightly golden, so take care not to overcook them.


Until next time, dear readers!

Ladybird x

21 comments:

  1. ooo I did guess that you were pregnant when you wrote your last post! Congratulations, 2011 sounds like it isnt only a great year for me, but you too. You must be SOOOO excited, will you be finding out if its a boy or girl?
    Your madelines sound fantastic, and Ive always adored the shape of these type of cookies although never seen a mould for them in the stores.

    Rose

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  2. Congratulations, yyou'll definitely have your hands full and we would miss your recipes :(

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  3. Fantastic book and beautiful recipe! Congratulations on the wonderful news of your little one! It's so lovely to have you back :)

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  4. Aww congratulations to you and Mr Ladybird!! These look perfect for afternoon tea. I've got the same book too but havn't tried any of the recipes yet, just like gazing through the photos =)

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  5. Welcome back, and congratulations!! Such wonderful, wonderful news! A little ladybird on the way...

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  6. lol love the reflection in the teapot! looks gorgeous, and congratulations! x

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  7. Congratulations! Can I just say, I knew it!!

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  8. Congrats! That's great news...I hope that puppy of yours won't mind having a new human brother/sister to steal some of his lurve!

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  9. This looks so yum :) Congrats to you and mr. Ladybird :)

    p.s. yaay, you are back :)

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  10. Congratulations! Those madeleines look DIVINE! I love using lavender in cooking!

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  11. Congratulations!

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  12. They look beautiful and what a a delicious combination....I must try these soon. May I ask if you could put up the widget to follow your blog by e-mail as I would like to be able to do that...many thanks in advance, Patricia

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  13. Thanks for your comments everyone!

    Patricia, thanks for the great suggestion! I have added the widget on the right hand side of the page :)

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  14. Congrats!!!!! Very exciting!!!! Welcome Back!

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  15. Congratulations!!!!! I am very happy for you. xx

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  16. Glad to have you back and huge congratulations to both of you, that is exciting news! These beautiful madeleines sure sound like the best way to celebrate!

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  17. Congratulations to both of you! That is such a lovely news!
    Madeleines are gorgeous, for me, lavender has a taste of summer holidays :-)

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  18. Congratulations on your wonderful news! And how appropriate to make sweet little scented macarons to announce the news :D

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  19. Congratulations on the lovely news! Best wishes for you and Mr Ladybird. This is so exciting!

    These madeleines look great! I have the same cookbook and I love it. Good to know that they've turned out so well, I think I should start christening the madeleine trays I've bought a few years ago..

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  20. Congratulations on your wonderful news! I had been checking your blog every couple of days for months. I literally stopped checking about a week ago, sure you had decided to stop regaling us with your lovely recipes. Happy you are back!!

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