Tuesday, November 26, 2019

It's National Cake Day

Madeleines
A Traditional Teatime Treat


Celebrate National Cake Day with this recipe for spongey, golden Madeleines – a traditionally French afternoon treat that’s impossible to resist!

I love Madeleines - even the store-bought ones!

Did you know, Madeleine or petit Madeleine cakes originate from the Lorraine region in northeastern France? Traditionally shell-shaped, these buttery and spongey cakes enjoy a delightfully crispy batter.

The name "Madeleine" according to some, was given to the cakes around 1755 by French King Louis XV to honor Madeleine Paulmier, his father-in-law's cook.

Try making them today with this easy to make recipe.

Ingredients

Makes 12 cakes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 130g sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (I like orange as well)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 120g flour
  • 300g unsalted melted butter
  • A sprinkling caster/powdered sugar

Ingredients

  • Preheat oven to 180°C or 350°F. Line your Madeleine molds with butter and dust with flour.
  • Using an electric whisk, beat your eggs and eggs sugar in a mixing bowl.
  • Mix in your vanilla extract, lemon zest and salt, before adding the flour until a batter is formed. Slowly add the melted butter.
  • Spoon a tablespoon of your batter into each of the Madeleine molds and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the batter appears golden brown.
  • Cool before removing from the molds.
  • For the next batch, repeat the process – buttering and flouring the molds each time you use them.
  • Dust lightly with caster sugar before serving.

You can find madeleine pans on Amazon.

Speaking of Lorraine . . .

French Hotel Barge Panache

The 12-passenger Hotel Barge Panache cruises in Holland & Belgium during the springtime, then through Paris to Champagne, and finishes their season in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France.



Panache

The 128-foot Panache is a 12-passenger luxury hotel barge of classic Dutch design, fully air conditioned with spacious public areas and six en-suite stateroms, with your choice of twin or double bed configuration. En-suite bathrooms have twin sinks and oversize showers with massage jets. Panache is traditionally furnished in an old ship style with brass and mahogany, creating a comfortable and charming ambience. The salon and dining room have large panoramic windows for viewing the passing countryside, as well as comfortable sofas, books and music, and an always open inclusive bar. The sun deck is spacious and has a heated spa pool; a perfect place to watch the sun set after dinner.

Panache has a highly professional crew of six, comprised of Master Chef, Deck Hand, Tour guide, two Housekeepers, and led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain, who will ensure your cruise is memorable and more.





Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book PANACHE
View Panache's online brochure
Visit our website for more info on our barges and barging: www.BargeCharters.com