Orange Butter Shells

Notes: Madeleine pans have shell-shaped indentations and are usually used to make a soft, spongy cookie traditional in France. You can order the pans from Williams-Sonoma at www.williams-sonoma.com or (800) 541-2233. If you have only one pan, you can bake the cookies in batches; be sure to cool the pan under cold running water and dry it thoroughly before baking the next batch. Store cookies airtight at room temperature up to 3 days; freeze to store longer.

Yield: Makes about 18 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup  (1/2 lb.) butter, at room temperature
• 3/4  cup  granulated sugar
• 1  large egg
• 1  large egg yolk
• 1 1/2  tablespoons  grated orange peel
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla
• 2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• Powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Lightly butter 18 madeleine molds (1 1/2 to 2 1/2 in. long; see notes) or coat lightly with cooking oil spray.

2. In a bowl, with a mixer on high speed, beat butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in egg, egg yolk, orange peel, and vanilla until well blended, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.

3. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, beat flour mixture into butter mixture until well incorporated. Pinch off 1-inch balls of dough and press evenly into prepared madeleine molds.

4. Bake cookies in a 325° regular or convection oven until edges are lightly browned and centers feel dry and firm to the touch, 12 to 14 minutes. Immediately invert pans to release cookies onto racks and dust shell-patterned sides with powdered sugar. Let cool.

Nutritional analysis per cookie.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

190 (52% from fat)

Protein:

2g

Fat:

11g (sat 6.6)

Carbohydrate:

20g

Fiber:

0.4g

Sodium:

154mg

Cholesterol:

51mg