Now that fall is in full swing and have found my new love for anything Pumpkin-flavoured in the last few years (better late than never, right?), Simona has given her best to make me love all of them and mostly any easy dessert recipes you can find with pumpkin. And these pumpkin madeleines with white chocolate from Nutmeg Nanny are an absolute delight!

Imagine a spongy and airy shell-shaped cake melting in your mouth. The taste of pumpkin and pie spice filtering through your taste buds, I am getting hungry only at the thought!

These pumpkin madeleines are the perfect easy dessert to bring any non-pumpkin lover to the good side! And I must admit, that even if they are considered very hard to make, the process was quite easy, and this is said from a calamity baker (where everything that can go wrong, will go wrong!).

This recipe is easy to follow and make the most delicious pumpkin madeleines in less than an hour. The only fancy thing you will need is a madeleine mould, but for the rest, almost everything is in your pantry already. And honestly, these delicious small delights are perfect in any occasion, like these red velvet madeleines, the best easy Valentine’s day dessert or even Christmas if you ask me!

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What are madeleines?

The madeleine or petite madeleines are small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell shape on one side of them. This shape comes from the traditional mould pan they are baked into. The traditional madeleine is originally from Commercy and Liverdun, two small communities in the Lorraine region.

There’s also a big debate about whether you should consider madeleines as cookies or cakes, as they are often referred to as both. They are considered a hybrid between these two desserts, small like a cookie and buttery and denser like a cake.

These buttery delights are not only famous among bakers and dessert connoisseurs for their airy and spongy texture but also among novelists and book readers. Marcel Proust, in a passage of ‘In Search Of Lost Time’, uses madeleines to bring back a memory of his childhood in Combray.

And the moment when a smell, taste or object reminds us of something from the past, is known as ‘la madeleines de Proust’ or ‘Proust’s Syndrome’. (Wikipedia)

What is pumpkin? Is it good for you?

Pumpkins are a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Contrary to common belief though, pumpkins are a type of berry known as Pepo, which originates in Mexico and the USA. Pumpkins are classified as fruits as they contain the seeds and they are a product of the seed-bearing structure of a plant.

You can find plenty of different pumpkins, we can count more than 150 varieties alone. Pumpkins are widely used for food consumption, decor, carving, aesthetics and even in medicine. Also, everything of the pumpkin can be used, from the leaves to pulp to skin and seeds. You can make easy snacks out of seeds and the skin and pulp can get roasted.

But are they good for you? Long story short, yes they are! Pumpkins are:

• rich in vitamins A, C, E,
• highly nutritious and high in minerals,
• high in antioxidants,
• rich in iron and folate,
• high in potassium and a great source of fibre,
• helps with healthy skin,
• can lower the risk of cancer and chronic diseases,
• can boost your immunity system,
• can help with your heart health. (Healthline)

What ingredients do I need for these pumpkin madeleines?

The ingredients for these pumpkin madeleines are really easy to find. You will need:

• granulated sugar: One of the first ingredients to use. You will be beating it with the eggs until creamy.
• eggs: You will need two room temperature eggs for this recipe;
• pumpkin puree: This will be the main ingredient to give a pumpkin flavour to your dessert;
• pumpkin pie spice: Is it even a pumpkin recipe without this spice mix? The pumpkin pie spice will be added to the madeleine batter as well as a last touch on top of them after dipping them in white chocolate;
• unsalted butter: You will need cooled and melted butter, which will agglomerate the madeleines batter;
• salt: To balance the sweetness of the pumpkin;
• flour: Regular all purpose flour will be added after creaming sugar and eggs;
• baking powder: Your rising agent, which will help keep your madeleines spongy;
• white chocolate: You will need it just at the end. You will dip your pumpkin madeleines to add an extra texture to them. It’s a totally optional step, but I think it adds a lot to them.

What equipment will I need for this fall madeleine recipe?

As we mentioned before, these pumpkin madeleines don’t require much equipment. The only thing you might have to get hold of is a madeleine pan. They come in plenty of different variations, from a classic non stick pan to a silicone one. What characterises them, is the shell shape on them and which will give this dessert its classic look.

Then you will need a standing mixer and a spatula, equipment that most households have already. You could also beat the egg and sugar with a hand mixer in case you don’t have a standing one.

How to make pumpkin madeleines

Begin by making the madeleines batter. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the egg and sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy (around 8 minutes).

Then gently fold in the sifted flour with a spatula. Then add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and baking powder to the batter.

When everything is combined, add the cooled melted butter to the batter and gently fold it in. Chill your madeleine batter for thirty minutes in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 180C and grease a madeleine pan with butter and a sprinkle of flour. Scoop a tablespoon of batter in each shell, and fill 3/4 of the way. Bake them for around 10-12 minutes, until they are light brown and use a toothpick to check they are fully cooked. If it comes out clean, your madeleines are ready.

Transfer the madeleines to a cooling rack and leave them to cool completely. When ready, dip them in white chocolate and sprinkle with more pumpkin spice on top. Enjoy your pumpkin madeleines on their own or with your favourite drink or garnish!

How long can I keep the pumpkin madeleineS COOKIE for? How can I store them?

You can keep your pumpkin madeleines in an airtight container for up to three days. If they will last that long!

You can also make them ahead and freeze them. They will keep for 2 months in the freezer, just bake them as the recipe instructs, pop them in a freezer-safe container or bag and label them. When you are in need of a pumpkin treat, just thaw them overnight on the counter and enjoy!

What can I have with pumpkin madeleines?

There are many ways to have these pumpkin madeleines:

1. Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream is a classic choice. You can sweeten it with a bit of sugar or add a touch of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
2. Cream Cheese Frosting: A cream cheese frosting or glaze can be drizzled over the madeleines for added sweetness and creaminess. You can also add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to complement the pumpkin flavor.
3. Caramel Sauce: Warm caramel sauce can be drizzled over pumpkin madeleines for a rich and decadent touch.
4. Powdered Sugar: Just a dash of powdered sugar can not only add some sweetness but also a simple and elegant garnish.
5. Chocolate Ganache: If you love chocolate, consider dipping the tips of your pumpkin madeleines into a smooth chocolate ganache, or just drizzle some on top.
6. Chai, Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Spiced Tea: A warm cup of chai tea, pumpkin spice latte or spiced tea pairs beautifully with pumpkin madeleines. The spices in the tea complement the pumpkin flavor.
7. Honey or Maple Syrup: Drizzle a bit of honey or maple syrup over your madeleines for a natural sweetness that complements the pumpkin.

Any other pumpkin recipes to recommend?

We do have plenty of other pumpkin recipes for any taste:

• pumpkin brioche;
• pumpkin gnocchi;
• pumpkin cheesecake donuts;
• pumpkin pie spice pancakes;
• pumpkin spice iced latte;
• pumpkin ganache pie;
• pumpkin cold foam.