Madeleines from Commercy, Lorraine

History

There are different stories about the origins of madeleines. The nuns at St. Mary Magdalene's convent in the town of Commercy, Lorraine, in France first baked these shell-shaped cakes in the 17th century. King Louis XV tried it at Chateau Commercy and it became one of his favorite desserts. Another source believes that these cookies were first made in the 1500's at Eure sur Loire, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, which explains why these treats are in the shape of the St. Jacques' shell, the symbol of Santiago de Compostela.

Recipe from http://www.lesfoodies.com/flore/recette/les-madeleines-christophe-felder

3 eggs

130 grams sugar (or 110 grams plus 2 vanilla sachets)

20 grams (1 1/2 tablespoons) of honey

150 grams flour (1 1/4 cup)

125 grams butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon of lemon/lime zest or orange zest

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Once you place the pans in the oven, lower immediately to 400 degrees F. Four minutes later, lower it again to 350 degrees F and cook them for three more minutes.