Madeleine biscuits

The famous small-sized French biscuit, made from scallop or shell-shaped biscuit dough, is consistently in steady demand and universally popular. Moreover, the hotly loved madeleine cookies are not only in their homeland and in European countries, but also around the world.

It is noteworthy that the madeleine cookies partially owe their worldwide fame to Marcel Proust, in particular his novel "In Search of Lost Time. " So, in one of the most famous scenes of world literature, the main character dunks madeleine in a cup of tea, while transferring hundreds of pages to childhood, with which he has persistent associations of the taste of this cookie.

In addition to excellent taste, attractive shell cutters are considered the main secret of the famous madeleine cookies. They are so mouthwatering that such cakes can invariably be seen in the breakfast boxes of all French schoolchildren. By the way, many stories are associated with the name of cookies, one of them is romantic.

According to this legend, the Polish king Stanisław Leszczyński once lived in exile in Lorraine. He had a servant (according to some sources, a mistress) named Madeleine, who was famous for tasty pastries, in particular cookies. And after the marriage of Stanislav's daughter with the French king Louis XV, madeleine cookies came to court and began to enjoy well-deserved popularity.

Another legend says that madeleine cookies were baked in monasteries whose patron saint was Saint Magdalene. In addition, the shell-like form of baking symbolized St. James (in French, the shell sounds like Saint-Jacques), due to the fact that this delicacy was intended for pilgrims who came to worship the relics of this saint.

Today, madeleine cookies have not lost their popularity - they not only constantly buy it, but also cook it at home. By the way, making these cookies is quite simple - the main thing is to have the necessary set of products and special molds.

Madeleine biscuit dough consists of high-grade wheat flour, eggs, powdered sugar, butter and a small amount of baking powder or baking powder. In addition, it is not uncommon for cookies to include rum, which gives the finished treat a touch of sophistication. Cocoa powder is also added if desired, resulting in chocolate madeleine cookies.

Prepared biscuit dough is laid in a special tray, which is characterized by shaped cavities in the form of shells, using a confectionery syringe. Madeleine cookies are not baked for long - no more than 15 minutes in a well-heated oven.