Photograph by Steven Rothfeld from French Desserts by Hillary Davis, reprinted by permission of Gibbs Smith
Hillary Davis has done it again – another gorgeous cookbook spilling over with delectable recipes in her new title, French Desserts. This may be my new favorite from her collection. It’s dessert, people!
Gorgeous photographs, wonderful instructions and unique and exciting recipes that will make any level of baker content are contained within the pages of French Desserts. The book itself is striking from its eye-catching cover of the Giant Break-and-Share Cookie, to the photographs of the vibrant French country side and city markets; it will make you long for a trip across the ocean.
Hélène’s Grandmother’s Rice Pudding Cake Bathed in Caramel, Pumpkin Seed Tuiles, Grand Marnier Mousse, and a stunning Fresh and Dried Fruit Salad in Sweet Basil Syrup are examples of a few of innovative recipes from this title. There are some classics shared as well such as Breton Butter Cookies and Chocolate Sables.
Last Saturday, I made the Orange Madeleines with Orange Glaze. They truly are magical because they disappeared. My husband ate half of them, my son at least four and I had two of the delicious little cakes on Saturday (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). I wanted to behave and have one – but it’s like that cake on the counter – every time you walk by you cut off a sliver. Every time I walked by I snuck a nibble (I walked by a great deal that day). There were a few left when I went up to bed and the next morning – the goblins had eaten them. The madeleines were easy to make and foolproof with Hillary’s great instructions. I’ll be making them again this weekend – they were that good.
Special thanks to Gibbs Smith for allowing me to share this recipe with you. The file can be downloaded here.
Photo by Jenny Hartin
These madeleines are just beautiful if I do say so myself — I was quite proud of how they came out – and Hillary’s great instructions are to thank for that.
Photo by Jenny Hartin
GIVEAWAY: Gibbs Smith would like one of you to have a copy of French Desserts. The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. To enter, please leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever made madeleines before. If you share this post on Facebook or Twitter, leave a second comment telling me you did so. You may return daily to leave one additional comment for more entries. A random winner will be chosen on September 18th.
Random Number Generator picked #36 Valerie H. Congratulations!
Thank you to Gibbs Smith and Hillary for providing me a copy of this wonderful book, and to Hillary for kindly mentioning me in the acknowledgements.
The Amazon link is an affiliate link that helps to support this site. I have changed the newsletter delivery. I’m going to try to post several times a week or more – so those of you that have signed up for the newsletter – will only receive an email once a week. Thank you for your support.
I have never made Madeleines, but you just convinced me that I could. Love the cover.
I have made them before and they were so easy to make. This recipe should yummy!
I have made Madeleine before. But not orange ones. I think I’ll get my Madeleine pan out tomorrow!
Nope, never made Madeleines, but I sure do like to eat them.
When I had a madeline pan I tried to make them, failed miserably. So I put the pan away and forgot where I put it. It was a cheap aluminum pan, so no real loss.
I shared on Facebook.
I 7sed to watch my French mothers make Madrlines. Oh what matvelous,delicacies! But I personally have never made them though I know,I should.
I have never made madeleines but I have the pan. One day…
I like French food and dessert.
I have not made madeleines before but they are on my to do list.
Yes, I’ve made the classic Madeleines but those orange ones sound delicious!
I haven’t made orange madeleines before, nor have I put frosting on mine. I have to try this! Thanks for the recipe and the giveaway.
Haven’t made Madeleines yet.
Yes I’ve made madeleines before.
I’be never made madelrunes before, but I did buy and pan not too long ago…
Shared on Facebook.
Yes, I have made Madelines…from Dominique Ansel’s recipe and François Payard’s recipe. I would like to have the opportunity to take another recipe out for a spin, and perhaps pick up some new techniques and inspiration as well. Thank you for the opportunity.
I have never made them but would love to.
Never tried to make Madelines.
I have made them before and now I want to make them again!
Shared on facebook
Need to try the Madeleine recipe.
I have not made Madeleine’s before, but my daughter has and has the baking pan. They were delicious!
OMG I WANT THIS BOOK
I haven’t made madeleines yet, they are definitely on my list of things to bake this fall.
I have made Madelines. I forgot about them until I had some recently in New York. They were baked to order, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served very warm. Heaven!
I made lemon madeleines recently to test drive my new non stick madeleine pans – delicious. next I want to make traditional plain ones
Make orange Madeleine at Christmas before
Oh, how glorious! I made madeleines when I was a young chef, but not since. How could I forget how much I loved them? And orange glazed? Simply delectable! Time to buy a new madeleine pan, I think – and this cookbook.
Yes, I have made madeleines and your photo makes me want to make them again.
Your madeleines are beautiful! I’ve only ever made them in pastry classes. A madeleine pan is one of the few things I don’t have in my kitchen sadly! This recipe looks so great I might just have to get one….
Shared on Facebook.
I have! I believe the last ones I made were classic madeleines from the We Heart Madeleines cookbook. I bought a fun madeleine pan in the shape of hearts from William Sonoma and they come out sooo cute.
Sadly I have not made madeleines.. But we do love to eat them and I would like to try making them.
Great review. Sharing on Facebook.
Never made madeleines, have always wanted to.
Yes, I’ve made Madeleines. Sad they are really only good for one day. Love them.
I haven’t made them so this would be an excuse to buy the special pan.
I have made Madeleines with the TWD group before and once or twice since then. Mmmm!
Have never made them but want to!
I’ve never made Madeleines, they look awesome!
Shared on Facebook
Yes I have made them! Dorie Greenspans recipes . Just loaned my pans to a friend for her book club:)
Shared on Facebook too
I have never made Madeleines before but would love to , one day! French bakeies are my favorite indulgence!
I will one day make Madelines again.
Love French pastries
I have never made them before but I’ve always wanted one of those sweet pans. Now that I’ve copied the recipe I have a reason to buy one!
I have the pan but haven’t yet made them. Looking forward to trying the recipe on the post!
French baking is a wonderful art, between the macaroons and the Madeleine’s, c’est fantastique!!
I made orange blossom madeleines a couple of years ago. I’m looking forward to trying this recipe.
Made them a couple of times but each time I thought that I needed another pan. I only have one and it’s not enough!
Yes I’ve made them.
I have never made Madeleine’s, but love them. Perhaps this winter I will make time to do so.
Love Madeleines, but have never made them. Perhaps I’ll get the baking pan for Christmas, then try it this winter.
Good morning 🙂 I think I’ll do some baking today.
When my daughter was in high school she took French. I made them for the class. Terrific.
Yes! I’ve made madeleines, but never made orange ones.
I have not made madeleines but I will have to even if I don’t win. 🙂
Would love to add this to her other books I own.
Yes, I have made them only once and a long, long time ago. I need to revisit them. Would love to learn more about French desserts. Thank you!!
Never made them but would love to–sure this cookbook would help…
I once made chocolate olive oil ones once a looong time ago
I’ve had Madeleine’s but never made them
Yes, I’ve made madeleines before. All this talk I want to make them again and again.
My young cousins favorite treat are Madeleines
Let them eat cake, I have plenty of cake pans.
I love the cover photo
Love this man!
ohh mini raspberry croissants sound so cute
yes I have
Yes I have made them but would like to make them again.
Yes I have
Shared on Facebook
I adore French desserts
Baking season has started in the Pacific Northwest.
I haven’t made madelines but I have her French Comfort Food cookbook and love it. I’m excited to check out this new book!
Madeleines!!!
Just made Whoopie pies for the first time, that’s like American macatons, right?
Uh, I meant to type macarons yesterday, lol
Happy labor day!
I’m ready to make them!
I love Madeleine’s!
Not lately.
I put this book on my wishlist in case I don’t win.
Perhaps I suggest both the pans and the book for Christmas.
Orange Madeleines sound delightful!
I’ve never made Madeleines but have a beautiful pan to do so that was my mothers. The orange Madeleines look beautiful in the photo.
Ramequins au fromage
Can’t get a bought french pastries!
I’ve made madeleines before.
This looks so pretty
I’m hungry. Madeleines sound yummy right now.
Yep
I made gingerbread madelines.
Madeleine’s are on the list of baking accomplishments to be trod this year…have the mold need the book!!
Can’t wait to see what other wonderful French desserts are in the book
Haven’t made them yet.
Shared
No but if I win I will gladly make them!
Yes, I’ve madeleines before. They are delicious the day they are made.
I would love to learn to make french patisserie.
I’ve been wanting to make some honey ones
I can’t wait to make more madeleines. I must have this book!
Still hoping.
I have never made or eaten madeleines.before. I will have to try them.
Still no, I need to get to it!
Love any French dessert.
Hola
I have never made madeleines but would love this book!
yummy yummy in my tummy
I want it , I wanted it.
French desserts are awesome.
Happy Friday!
oops i missed a day
Love this book cover
I want to eat the cover
Another beautiful book
Looks so good
Nothing better in life than French desserts!
Sunday Funday!
Gorgeous cover
That cookie on the cover looks so fun
I want to try the walnut cake with honey glaze
Gorgeous cover, I would love to make madelines again.
Happy Wednesday
Would also like to try the Breton butter cookies.
Hillary Davis is becoming a must have author.
Delicious
I am wanting this book even more now.
Almost Friday 🙂
Now it is Friday! lol
You can never have too many baking books!
I hope I win!
So yummy looking
Almost time to choose the winner for this giveaway 🙂
Loving this book too!
Looks like such a great book!
Last one I think!
I still have my fingers, etc crossed.
One more try 🙂
Not picked yet? One more then.
I’ll make room for this one.
Last entry for this one.
I need this cookbook!
Really need it!
I’d love to make those madeleines
Besides Madeleines, I’m dying to find out what other French desserts are in the book. I hope I win, as I’ve been cut-off from buying anymore cookbooks, unless they’re from a resale shop or garage sale or a gift, I doubt I’d find this in a resale shop.
Happy Wednesday! I hope the winner gets picked soon.