Gluten-Free French Madeleines
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15-20 (cookies) 1x
Description
The secret to the “perfect” madeleine is a balance between a slightly crunchy crust and moist, fluffy interior. This gluten-free, refined sugar-free recipe lacks nothing in texture and has a toasted, golden flavor to boot!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) sweet rice flour
- 1/2 tsp guar gum
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (note: not all baking powder is gluten free)
- 3/4 stick unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Heat over to 400-425 degrees.
- Mix flour, guar gum and baking powder in a bowl. Set aside.
- Beat the eggs and sugar until thickened, for about 3 minutes.
- Add almond extract and lemon zest to eggs and sugar. Beat until mixed.
- Add melted butter to liquid mixture. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
- Gently, fold dry ingredients into liquid mixture with a spatula.
- Grease your Madeleine pan .
- Spread a heaping tsp of batter into each indentation of your Madeleine pan.
- Bake each tray of Madeleines until golden (10-12 minutes)
Notes
- You can also add orange flower water, lavender seeds or even a savory spice (thyme, sage, rosemary, fennel) to the madeleines, for a more adventurous treat.
- The best way to remove the finished madeleines from the pan is to gently nudge them out of their “shell” with a soft spatula.
- A dusting of powdered sugar makes for a lovely presentation (for those who are not avoiding highly-processed sugars).
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 madeleine
- Calories: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is guar gum and why is it in this recipe?
Guar gum (1/2 tsp) is a plant-based binder derived from guar beans. In this recipe it replaces gluten’s role in holding the sweet rice flour batter together and giving the madeleines their characteristic texture. Without it, the gluten-free batter would be too fragile to hold its shell shape.
Why does this recipe use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar?
The recipe is designed to be both gluten-free and refined sugar-free, and the excerpt notes it “lacks nothing in texture.” The 1/2 cup of coconut sugar adds a toasted, caramel-like flavor that the excerpt describes as a “golden flavor” — a different profile than neutral white sugar.
Can I vary the flavor of these madeleines?
Yes. The notes suggest adding orange flower water, lavender seeds, or even savory spices like thyme, sage, rosemary, or fennel as alternatives to the 1 tsp of almond extract and lemon zest the base recipe uses. 
