Light, buttery, and kissed with lemon zest, madeleines are the perfect treat. This lemon madeleine recipe brings the French bakery vibe straight to your kitchen.

It’s easy, elegant, and ready in under 30 minutes. Whether you're hosting tea or baking for yourself, this lemon madeleine recipe is a must-try.

Fluffy inside, crisp outside—once you taste them, you’ll want this lemon madeleine recipe on repeat. Try it today and impress with every bite!

Close-up of homemade Lemon Madeleine Recipe on a white kitchen counter

Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out

Madeleines have deep roots in French tradition; famously mentioned by Marcel Proust. These iconic shell-shaped pastries originated in Commercy and have been cherished for centuries.

This lemon madeleine recipe adds a fresh twist. The citrusy brightness lifts the rich, buttery crumb, creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Enjoy them with Earl Grey, coffee, or even champagne for special occasions. These cookies also pair beautifully with French classics like macarons.

Best of all? This lemon madeleine recipe is easy to make with simple pantry staples—proof that elegance doesn’t have to be complicated.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment For Lemon Madeleine Recipe
Recipe Variations
Storage
The Secret That Changed My Lemon Madeleine Recipe Forever
FAQ
From France to Your Kitchen – One Bite at a Time
Related
Pairing

Ingredients

Large eggs
Granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Unsalted butter
Fresh lemon juice
Fresh lemon zest
Vanilla extract
Salt
Baking powder

For the Lemon Glaze (Optional):

Powdered sugar
Fresh lemon juice
Lemon zest

Ingredients for lemon madeleines arranged on a white kitchen counter

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare and Mix

Preheat your oven to 375°F and generously butter your madeleine pan, dusting with flour
In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until pale and thick
Gently fold in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt over the mixture and fold in carefully
Slowly drizzle in melted, slightly cooled butter while folding to incorporate evenly

Rest and Fill

Cover the batter and refrigerate for at least 1 hour - this resting time is crucial for achieving the signature madeleine humps
After chilling, spoon the batter into your prepared madeleine pan, filling each shell about ¾ full
Don't overfill or the cookies will lose their delicate shape

Bake and Cool

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers spring back when gently touched
The madeleines should pull slightly away from the edges of the pan when done
Remove from oven and immediately turn out onto a wire rack to prevent sogginess
Cool completely before glazing if desired

Mixing lemon madeleine batter in a bowl on white counter

Prepare and Mix: Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon zest before folding in flour and butter.

Chilled lemon madeleine batter with a pan being filled on white counter

Rest and Fill: Chill the batter, then spoon into pan molds about ¾ full.

Golden lemon madeleines cooling on a wire rack on white kitchen counter

Bake and Cool: Bake until golden and springy, then cool madeleines on a rack.

Equipment For Lemon Madeleine Recipe

Traditional madeleine pan - Heavy-gauge metal with clear shell impressions
Fine-mesh sieve - For sifting flour to ensure no lumps
Microplane zester - Creates the finest, most aromatic lemon zest
Large mixing bowl - For combining all ingredients
Wire whisk - For mixing eggs and sugar until pale and thick
Rubber spatula - Essential for gentle folding without overmixing
Wire cooling rack - Prevents sogginess by allowing air circulation

Hints & Expert Cooking Tips

Use fresh lemons for best flavor and aroma
Zest only the yellow part, avoid bitter white pith
Add warm (not hot) butter to prevent scrambling eggs
Use a proper madeleine pan for authentic shell shape
Tap bowl to release air bubbles before chilling
Cold batter + hot oven = signature madeleine hump
Rotate pan halfway through baking for even browning

Recipe Variations

Flavor Variations:

Chocolate dipped madeleines - Dip cooled cookies halfway in melted dark chocolate
Lemon poppy seed madeleines - Add 1 tablespoon poppy seeds to batter
Lemon vanilla cookies - Increase vanilla to 1½ teaspoons
Herbal lemon madeleines - Add 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Blueberry lemon - Fold in handful of fresh blueberries
Spiced madeleines - Add pinch of cardamom for warm flavor

Dietary Adaptations:

Gluten-free - Replace flour with almond flour (denser texture)
Dairy-free - Use melted coconut oil instead of butter
No baking powder - Whip eggs and sugar 6-7 minutes for extra air
Lower sugar - Reduce sugar and add extra lemon juice
Vegan option - Use plant-based butter and egg replacer

Storage

Fridge Storage:

Fresh madeleines are best enjoyed the day they're made, but they'll stay soft and flavorful in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing Instructions:

These fluffy madeleine cookies freeze beautifully! Cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Make-Ahead Tips:

The batter can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This actually improves the flavor and texture. You can also freeze the baked, unglazed madeleines and add the lemon glaze after thawing for that fresh-made taste.

The Secret That Changed My Lemon Madeleine Recipe Forever

Years ago, while shadowing a pastry chef in a tucked-away Parisian bakery, I learned a trick that transformed my lemon madeleine recipe from good to unforgettable. After mixing the batter, she gave the bowl a few firm taps on the counter—“To pop the big air pockets,” she whispered. It seemed small, but the difference? Huge. No more strange holes or uneven texture.

Then came the golden rule: chill the batter, then bake it cold in a very hot oven. That sharp heat creates the famous madeleine “hump” and gives your cookies their signature rise. Don’t forget to rotate the pan halfway—especially if your oven runs hot in one spot. These simple steps are the secret to flawless, bakery-style results every time.

FAQ

What is the difference between French and English madeleines?

French madeleines are traditional shell-shaped sponge cakes with a delicate, buttery texture and distinctive ridged appearance. English madeleines are entirely different - they're small sponge cakes coated in jam and coconut, cylindrical in shape. True lemon madeleine recipe follows the French tradition, using special molds to create the iconic scalloped shell design that's lighter than regular cake.

What is a substitute for madeleine molds?

Mini muffin tins work as madeleine mold substitutes, though you'll lose the signature shell shape. Silicone mini cake molds or small tart pans also work. For lemon madeleine recipe success, reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes. While alternatives exist, investing in proper madeleine pans ensures authentic texture, appearance, and even baking for best results.

How are madeleines different from cakes?

Madeleines have a lighter, more delicate crumb than regular cakes due to their unique mixing method and shell-shaped molds. They're smaller, individual-sized treats with a distinctive texture - tender inside with slightly crispy edges. A proper lemon madeleine recipe creates cookies that are less dense than cupcakes but more structured than sponge cake, perfect for tea time.

Why do madeleines taste so good?

Madeleines taste exceptional due to their perfect butter-to-flour ratio, creating rich flavor without heaviness. The shell-shaped molds provide ideal surface area for slight caramelization, adding depth. Fresh lemon zest in a quality lemon madeleine recipe brightens the buttery base, while the delicate crumb literally melts in your mouth, creating an unforgettable textural and flavor experience.

From France to Your Kitchen – One Bite at a Time

This Lemon Madeleine Recipe proves that simple ingredients can create something truly elegant. Light, buttery, and bright with lemon zest, these madeleines are perfect for any occasion.

Craving more? Try our Quick Homemade Pies with Puff Pastry or switch to savory with Quick & Easy Cream Cheese Garlic Bread.

Baked these madeleines? Snap a photo, rate the recipe, and share your twist in the comments—we can’t wait to see your take!

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these: