Recipe for Honey and Lavender Madeleines in Provence

Virginie in Provence enjoying a madeleine

A passion for baking, passed down through the family

I love cooking, and I especially love baking. At one point in my life, I even considered earning a pastry chef diploma. Since my first pregnancy, my love for cakes has only grown… and today, it’s a passion I share with my children, who love getting involved in the kitchen.

Today, I’d like to share with you a recipe for honey and lavender madeleines, inspired by Provence—simple to make and full of gentle sweetness.

Madeleines inspired by the scents of Provence

Honey and lavender madeleines

One afternoon, I felt like baking madeleines for afternoon tea. I love traditional madeleines, but this time I wanted to step a little off the beaten path. While looking for new ideas, I came across a lavender madeleine recipe.

I decided to give it a try… and it was a real success. They were immediately adopted by the whole family. Since then, I regularly make these honey and lavender madeleines for different occasions.

The lavender used in this recipe evokes the typical scents of Provence and adds a very delicate floral note, without being overpowering.

A little history of the madeleine

The madeleine is said to have been created in 1755 at the Château de Commercy. At the time, King Stanislas of Poland was hosting Voltaire and Madame de Châtelet. For the occasion, he is said to have asked his cook, named Madeleine, to create a new cake.

This small, shell-shaped sponge cake has since become a classic of French baking, enjoyed both at breakfast and as an afternoon treat.

Ingredients for perfect honey and lavender madeleines

Recipe ingredients

To make these homemade madeleines, you will need:

• 2 large eggs

• 80 g sugar

• 100 g butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• 100 g flour

• ¾ teaspoon baking powder

• 2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers

👉 Tip: choose culinary-grade lavender and use it sparingly to keep the flavor subtle.

Steps for making honey and lavender madeleines

In the kitchen, at the heart of the recipe

• Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

• Grease your madeleine pan with a little melted butter, then lightly dust it with flour. Gently tap to remove any excess.

• In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly frothy.

• Add the melted butter, honey, lemon juice (and optionally a little zest), then the flour mixed with the baking powder.

• Gently fold in the dried lavender flowers and mix until you obtain a smooth batter.

• Let the batter rest for about 20 minutes.

• Fill the madeleine molds.

• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the madeleines are nicely puffed and lightly golden.

• Transfer them to a rack and let them cool for a few minutes before enjoying.

Have you heard of the “madeleine de Proust”?

The madeleine de Proust

The expression “madeleine de Proust” refers to anything—a taste, a smell, a memory—that instantly brings us back to childhood. It comes, of course, from the famous passage in In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust, in which the narrator recalls his childhood through the taste of a madeleine dipped in tea.

These honey and lavender madeleines also have something very comforting and evocative for me.

I would love to receive your comments and photos if you try this recipe!

FAQ – Honey and lavender madeleines

Can dried lavender be used?

Yes, dried lavender works perfectly, as long as it is edible and used in small quantities.

Which honey should I choose for this recipe?

A mild honey (such as acacia or wildflower honey) is ideal so it doesn’t overpower the delicate lavender flavor.

How long do these madeleines keep?

They keep for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

If you come to stay with me for a French immersion experience in Provence, I’ll help you discover the many facets of Provence—its landscapes and scents, but also its culture and gastronomy—while helping you improve your French naturally, through everyday life.

See you soon in Provence,

Virginie in Provence 

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