Madeleines - A Family Tradition!

Madeleines are one of those things that are talked about with alarming regularity at our family gatherings! Sandie (my auntie) and my mum used to make them with my Grandad when they were children and they both adore them. However they were always a bit of a nightmare to make. The tall dariole tins where always a right pain to get the cakes out of, so when we spotted silicone darioles it was inevitable that this was next on the cake agenda!

You will need -
8 Dariole Moulds (mine are silicone and came from ebay!)
100g butter (softened)
100g caster sugar
2 large free range eggs
100g self raising flour
1tsp baking powder
2-3 drops vanilla extract

Grease the moulds (do it well... you'll thank me later!).

Mix all the ingredients together until the mixture is well blended and smooth.

Spoon into the moulds making sure you don't have big gaps at the bottom of each mould!

Bake for 15-20mins at 180C -  you want them fairly firm (but not overdone) as it's a bit of a challenge to get them out totally intact otherwise.

Allow to cool thoroughly before attempting to turn out. With these silicone moulds it's best for one person to push gently from the bottom while someone else guides it from the top.

Trim the tops level and stand upside down like a sandcastle!

For the decoration -
Jam - I used some homemade redcurrant and strawberry jam
50g Desiccated coconut
4 glace cherries (halved)

Warm the jam in the microwave and roll each cake in it (don't get any on the bottom!)

Roll in the desiccated coconut and then stand the cake upright. Pop half a glace cherry on top!

If you don't have darioles you could easily use the same recipe in cupcake or muffin cases and just add a jam and coconut topping for the same great taste but without the worry!