Baking Tasty Madeleines

Time

Food
Sensory

4 3 2 1 Early-Mid Stages

Benefits

Participants

One to One or Group Activity

What you need

A 12-cup madeleine tin
2 eggs
100g caster sugar
100g plain flour
1 lemon (juice and zest)
¾ tsp baking powder
100g butter (melted and slightly cooled)
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

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