vanilla bean Madeleines

makes 2½ dozen

what you need:
9 tablespoons (4.5 oz) unsalted butter, melted 
1 cup (7.5 oz) granulated sugar
4 large eggs (7 oz.), room temperature
1½ tablespoon vanilla bean paste
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup 2 % milk, room temperature
1½ teaspoon lemon zest

1 madeleine pan
unsalted butter (as needed for pan)
powdered sugar (as needed) 

how to:

• Melt Butter. Melt the butter slowly in a saucepan over a low flame. Set aside. Let Cool. 

• Combine Dry Ingredients. Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Set aside. 

• Eggs & Sugar. Place the eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand alone mixer. Turn on medium speed and mix until the sugar and eggs  look thick and foamy. Pour in vanilla bean paste.  Mix well.

• Add Dry Ingredients & Milk. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the flour and the milk in thirds, beginning with the flour. Continue to mx until well-blended.

• Add Melted Butter. Once the milk and flour has been mixed well, slowly add the melted butter with the speed still on slow. 

• Rest. Let the batter rest for a few hours. You can pour the batter in an airtight container and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.

• Preheat Oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Pan. Rub cold butter on madeleine molds in the pan. Using a soup spoon and add a heaping tablespoon of batter to each madeleine mold (it should be about ⅔ full).

• Bake. Bake in the oven for about 7-8 minutes until puffed in the center (beginning to crack a little) and edges are crispy brown. 

• Serve. Let the madeleines cool for a few minutes in the madeleine pan and then remove with a fork. Place on a wire rack and sprinkle powdered sugar over them. Best served warm.