Lemon Madeleine's

There is something so charming about French Butter Cakes, or Madeleine's. These miniature seashell cakes are a classic treat that can be found in many grocery stores. Although I have tried the prepackaged Madeleine's, I much prefer to make them myself. They are easy to make and require simple ingredients that most people keep on hand in their kitchen or pantry. These cakes turned out  scrumptious. Their texture was light yet substantial. They were moist, lemony, flavorful, and divine. I brushed on a bit of lemon simple syrup when I took them out of the oven to get another hit of lemon flavor. This step is optional, because they are wonderful with a simple dusting of powdered sugar and a cup of coffee.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla extract
Entire zest of large lemon
1/4 C. melted salted butter
1/2 C.  AP flour
1/8 t. baking powder
1/4 C. granulated sugar
1 1/2 T. honey

about 1/2 cup powdered sugar for garnish

Optional: Simple syrup Ingredients: 1/4 C. water, 1/4 C. sugar, about 1 T. lemon juice

Instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 375. Grease the Madeleine mold.  Melt butter (either in microwave, on stove top, or in oven) until liquefied. Set aside and let cool. 
2) In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla until light and frothy. (This should only take about 2 minutes if you whisk vigorously). 
3) Add sugar and honey and whisk vigorously until the batter is thick. This should take about 5 full minutes. Be patient. 
4) Gently mix in flour and baking powder until combined. 
5) Fold in cooled, melted butter until incorporated. 
6) Spoon batter into greased Madeleine molds ( filling each mold about 3/4 of the way). 
7) Bake for about 8 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. They will be done when a toothpick comes out clean, and some edges are golden brown. 
8) When cooled, dust with powdered sugar. 

Optional: 
If you would like to get an extra hit of lemon flavor, prepare the simple syrup by putting water, sugar and lemon juice into a saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved. As soon as the mixture simmers, take off the heat and brush onto the surface of the Madeleine's.  After the syrup has soaked in, garnish with powdered sugar.