Day 7: Dark Chocolate and Candy Cane Dipped Madeleines

Madeleines - the pretty little shell-shaped, cake-y cookies from France. I had always been intimidated by them until tonight. I whipped out that madeleine mold and got to work. They were much simpler than I thought and turned out beautifully! I Christmas-ized(?) them with a dip in dark chocolate and crushed candy canes. They are pretty little things...

...I might even hang them on the tree...

Dark Chocolate and Candy Cane Dipped Madeleines

makes 45

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
• 8 egg whites
• 6 tsp. vanilla extract
• 18 TBS. Earth Balance vegan butter, melted and cooled
• 1 cup dark chocolate chunks
• about 30 mini candy canes, crushed

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl beat sugar and egg whites together with a hand mixer for about 2-3 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. Finally, beat in melted butter. Place a large piece of plastic wrap over the dough and press so that it is flat against the top. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

Preheat oven to 400F with the rack in the middle of the oven. If you are using a non-stick madeleine pan, spray lightly with non-stick spray, but if you are using a silicone madeleine mold (which is what I used) no preparation is required. Spoon the batter into the molds, filling almost to the top of each mold. Bake for 11 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven when done and release from molds onto cooling racks to cool slightly before decorating. 

Melt chocolate either over a double broiler on the stove or in the microwave, being careful not to burn. Pulse candy canes in a food processor until finely crushed. Once madeleines are slightly cooled, dip one end in the chocolate and immediately into the candy canes so they stick to the chocolate. Allow to cool completely so the chocolate hardens. 

Look at them...aren't they pretty!!

Roomie Reactions...

Megan: "Mmmm...very good. I like these."

Jessica: "Yummy!"

Sara: "Delicious!"

Jenna: "Oh my gosh! So yummy and pepperminty! It's like Christmas in my mouth!"

Stina: "These are SO good!"