The afternoon tea service at Johannesburg's finest bakeries tells a story of small details making big impressions. Among the tiered trays of delicate pastries, the humble madeleine often becomes the unexpected star – those shell-shaped French classics with their distinctive hump and buttery finish that signal true baking craftsmanship.

"Our customers never forget a good madeleine," shares Thabo, head pastry chef at a popular Sandton bakery. "They look simple, but they reveal everything about your skill and ingredients."

What transforms an ordinary madeleine into an exceptional one? The secret lies in both technique and quality components. While many recipes call for butter, professional South African bakers have discovered that Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine creates madeleines with exceptional rise, moisture retention, and consistent quality – essential factors when preparing treats that must maintain their appeal throughout a busy service.

These lemon-infused versions offer a bright, citrus note perfect for South African high tea services. The light, airy texture paired with subtle lemon creates a sophisticated treat that complements both traditional and contemporary tea selections.

The Professional Baker's Lemon Madeleine Recipe

Ingredients:

113g Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine, melted
28g Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine for greasing molds
2 large eggs, at room temperature
100g caster sugar
2 teaspoons lemon zest (approximately 1 lemon)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
115g cake flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Method:

Melt 113g Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine in a small saucepan until just liquid. Set aside to cool slightly while preparing the batter.
In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine eggs and sugar. Whisk on medium-high speed for 8 minutes until the mixture becomes pale and reaches ribbon stage – when you lift the whisk, the batter should fall back into the bowl in thick ribbons.
Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and whisk briefly to incorporate.
In a separate bowl, combine the sifted cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture using a rubber spatula, maintaining as much air as possible in the batter.
Take approximately 1/4 cup of the batter and mix it with the melted Mastercraft margarine in a small bowl. This tempers the mixture and prevents the hot fat from deflating the air bubbles in the main batter.
Fold the tempered margarine mixture back into the main batter until just combined. The batter should appear glossy but still light.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. This rest period is crucial for developing the characteristic madeleine hump.
While the batter chills, preheat your oven to 180°C and prepare your madeleine molds. Melt the remaining 28g of Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine and brush it generously into each cavity of your madeleine pan, ensuring every ridge is coated.
Remove the chilled batter from the refrigerator. Fill each mold approximately 3/4 full – about one tablespoon of batter per cavity.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the centers spring back when lightly touched.
Allow the madeleines to cool in the pan for 2 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar before serving if desired.

The Professional Advantage

What sets these madeleines apart from home-baked versions is the specific performance of Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine. This professional-grade product contains specialised emulsifiers that create an exceptionally light texture while maintaining structure – critical for achieving the perfect madeleine hump that customers recognize as the mark of quality.

Unlike standard margarines, Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine can reach 2 times its original volume when whipped, creating superior aeration in the batter. This translates to madeleines with a more tender crumb and longer shelf life – a significant advantage for busy bakeries preparing items in advance of service.

The light consistency also carries the lemon flavour beautifully, allowing the citrus notes to shine through without heaviness. When customers break open these madeleines, they experience the perfect balance of light texture and rich taste that keeps them returning.

For an innovative twist that showcases your bakery's creativity, try browning the Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine before adding it to your batter. This simple technique develops nutty, caramelized notes that complement the lemon beautifully and creates a signature product unique to your establishment.

As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers, using RSPO-certified products allows bakeries to maintain quality while demonstrating environmental responsibility – a growing priority for discerning customers.

Ready to transform your high tea offerings with these exceptional lemon madeleines? Visit our Baking Solutions page to learn more about Mastercraft White Creaming Margarine and our full range of premium baking products designed specifically for professional South African bakeries.

Connect with our network of distributors and wholesalers to find the perfect products for your needs. SD Guthrie-International South Africa Happy baking!