Baking Tasty Madeleines

  • 60
Time

Activity Details

Benefits

  • Time Together
  • Bring Joy

Participants

  • One to One or Group Activity

What you need

  1. A 12-cup madeleine tin
  2. 2 eggs
  3. 100g caster sugar
  4. 100g plain flour
  5. 1 lemon (juice and zest)
  6. ¾ tsp baking powder
  7. 100g butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  8. 10g butter for greasing

Intro

If you’re toying with the idea of throwing a Bastille Party then these delicious little French cakes are a must. Or you can just enjoy them as a nice addition to any afternoon tea. But it’s not just about the eating. Baking cakes is a lovely sensory activity that evokes so many memories – from baking as a child with granny, to teaching your own children and grandchildren to do it. And, if some people aren’t too keen on the actual baking, they can still benefit by sitting back and enjoying the delicious, sweet aroma. Mmmm.

Top tip

To support people who are at exploratory level, get all the ingredients measured out and ready to go before you start. It’s also a good idea to duplicate the mix to make a second batch if you’d like more people involved.

The Activity

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6
  2. Brush each compartment of the madeleine tray with butter, then coat with a little flour
  3. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a bowl until frothy
  4. Add the other ingredients and lightly mix
  5. Leave your mixture to stand for 20 minutes while you grab a quick cup of tea and reminisce about baking
  6. After the mixture has stood for 20 minutes, pour equal amounts into the madeleine tray
  7. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes
  8. Once they’ve risen a little in the middle and are fully cooked, remove and cool them on a wire rack
  9. Serve them an hour after they’ve cooled – when they’re at their best!