A light, buttery French cookie with a citrus twist—perfect for gifting, elegant trays, or seaside soirées.
Whip 2 eggs with ½ cup sugar until pale and fluffy (5 min). Stir in 1 tbsp Grand Marnier, 1 tsp vanilla, and orange zest. Fold in ⅔ cup flour, ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt. Add ½ cup melted butter. Chill 1 hour. Spoon into buttered/floured scalloped madeleine molds. Bake at 375°F for 10–12 min. Cool, dust with powdered sugar or dip in white chocolate and pistachios. Done!
Grand Marnier Madeleines Recipe
Yields: about 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup (85g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tbsp Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Whip eggs and sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale—about 5 minutes.
- Add flavor: Mix in orange zest, Grand Marnier, and vanilla.
- Fold in dry ingredients: Gently fold in flour mixture.
- Add butter: Fold in the melted butter gently until fully incorporated.
- Chill: Cover and chill the batter for 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Prepare pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter and lightly flour your madeleine pan, especially if using the classic scallop-shell style.
- Fill molds: Spoon about 1 tbsp of batter into each mold—don’t spread, it will naturally bake into shape.
- Bake: Bake 10–12 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers spring back.
- Cool: Let cool for 2 minutes in the pan, then gently remove and cool on a wire rack.
Optional Decoration Ideas
- Classic: Dust with powdered sugar and surround with chocolate-covered espresso beans for a timeless tray.
- Chic: Dip one end in white chocolate, then into crushed pistachios—a perfect French-Italian blend.
- Elegant Touch: A drizzle of dark chocolate or edible gold dust adds a glamorous finish.
- Party Tip: Arrange madeleines slightly overlapping in tight rows in a gift box—they hold their shape and travel beautifully.
Why I Love These Cookies
Madeleines are one of my favorite cookies to bring as a hostess gift or add to a holiday gift box. They’re soft, buttery, and subtly sweet with a beautiful texture—somewhere between a sponge cake and a cookie. They hold up well in transit and feel so thoughtful and refined.
The shape alone makes them memorable—especially the classic scallop-shell design. For a shore-themed gathering, they couldn’t be more perfect! You can even find pans with different shapes and sizes, but I always come back to the traditional ridged style.
A Bit of Madeleine History
Madeleines come from the Lorraine region of France and date back to the 18th century. Legend has it they were created by a maid named Madeleine who baked them for French aristocrats. Their popularity soared thanks to Marcel Proust, who famously wrote about how one bite brought back a flood of childhood memories.
Whether you’re baking for a special event or just treating yourself to a quiet moment with tea, these Grand Marnier Madeleines are little bites of joy. Try them once, and you’ll see why they’ve become a staple in my kitchen—and a favorite to share.
