Lemon Poppy Seed Madeleines

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MeAndMyTea #CollectiveBias

As the weather gets chilly outside, there is nothing better than waking up in the morning and warming up the house with a warm oven and the smell of freshly baked French pastries!  These Lemon Poppy Seed Madelienes are simple, elegant, and the perfect snack with your favorite hot beverage.

On cold winter mornings, when the house still has a chill from overnight, I love to grab a giant mug for a hot tea.  I love the way the warmth of the mug warms my hands, the smell of the tea as I hold it close to my cheeks and let the steam awaken my face.  I've recently tried Constant Comment by Bigelow Tea for the first time and love its gentle winter flavors.  A little clove, a little citrus...but a subtle blend that has a great flavor.  I like to add just a little milk - a habit whenever I drink black tea, from the old days backpacking across England.

Constant Comment Tea by Bigelow, available at Walmart

With hands warming on my mug, and the kitchen warming with the oven, these French madeleines are a perfect way to start the day, great for an afternoon snack with tea, or as a cute gift.

These madeleines are an elegant twist on the flavors of a lemon poppy seed muffin.  I actually like to use chia seeds in place of poppy - either work beautifully.

Lemon Poppy Seed Madeleines

Makes about 24 Madeleines

INGREDIENTS:

1 stick of butter (unsalted)
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs (3 whole plus 1 yolk)
1 tsp lemon zest
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp poppy seeds (chia seeds work great too!)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Grease a Madeliene Pan.

Place a stick of butter into a small bowl and microwave until its melted, about 30 seconds.  Set it aside and let it cool.

In a large bowl (or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment), briskly whisk 3 eggs and 1 egg white together with the sugar - until it becomes a whitish color on top and starts getting frothy.  Stir in the lemon zest and cooled butter.

In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and poppy seeds.  Then add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir it together.

Spoon the batter into the baking sheet - around 1 Tablespoon per madeleine - and bake for 10 minutes.

The result is a golden, perfectly puffed French madeliene pastry!  Enjoy!

 

What is your favorite cold weather baking tradition?

Thank you to Bigelow Tea for sponsoring today's conversation.