How to Make French Madeleine Cakes (Chocolate, White Chocolate & Matcha Flavor Recipe)

Madeleines are a classic French confection known for their iconic scallop shape, soft and buttery crumb, and lightly crisped edges. When dipped in smooth, glossy chocolate, these mini sponge cakes are elevated into an elegant indulgence, perfect for both casual enjoyment and special occasions. This recipe delivers a delightful balance of flavor and texture, making it ideal for tea time, thoughtful gifts, or festive celebrations.

In Japan, madeleines have become especially popular thanks to the country’s admiration for French pâtisserie and its cultural appreciation for seasonal, giftable sweets. You’ll often find chocolate-dipped madeleines beautifully packaged in Japanese bakeries and gift sets, where their delicate appearance and refined taste make them a well-loved favorite.

Despite their sophisticated look, madeleines are surprisingly simple to prepare at home with the right technique. The key to achieving their signature shape and golden edges lies in properly preparing your madeleine mold, greasing and flouring each cavity and chilling the tray before baking. This ensures the cakes bake evenly and release cleanly with crisp, defined ridges.

Resting the batter is another essential step. Chilling it for at least an hour helps develop flavor and allows the batter to rise with that classic hump in the center. To maintain a light, fluffy texture, it's important not to overmix, gently folding the ingredients is enough to combine them.

The finishing touch is a generous dip in high-quality chocolate. Choose a good couverture chocolate or coating chocolate for the best results. You can also experiment with variations such as white chocolate or matcha-infused coatings for a visually striking and flavorful twist. Once coated, the madeleines are chilled to set, creating a clean finish and satisfying snap with every bite.

Whether you’re baking these chocolate-dipped madeleines as a gift or for your own quiet afternoon treat, they’re sure to impress with their elegant appearance and irresistible flavor.

If you’re a fan of light, chocolatey desserts like these madeleines, be sure to check out our other sponge-based favorites. Try the rich and fluffy chocolate castella cake for a Japanese twist on a classic or explore the airy texture of our chocolate chiffon cake, both are perfect additions to your dessert rotation.