Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Cornbread Madeleines

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I have many memories from childhood that I’m not entirely certain ever happened. One is of my mother making her cornbread in individual sizes, in the shape of small ears of corn. This may seem an odd thing to remember, but I adore my mother’s cornbread. We make it every Christmas for cornbread stuffing and I spend the rest of the year craving it and wondering why I don’t make it on other occasions.

This past weekend I once again thought of the small, individual-sized cornbreads while I was staring at a beautiful madeleine pan, trying to come up with a reason to bring it home with me. I decided enough with this already - it doesn’t matter whether the memory is real or not. Small, delicately shaped cornbread sounds great to me, so why not give it a go.

When making this cornbread for stuffing I go very light on the sugar, but I’ve added it back in for this recipe. I served these warm from the oven with a little lemon curd and winter fruit tossed with balsamic and freshly cracked black pepper. I think they would be equally as good in a savory application.

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Cornbread Madeleines
Makes about 30

1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
2 t baking powder
1/4 cup + 2 T sugar (I would even try a full 1/2 cup next time)
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 T butter, melted

Preheat oven to 475*
Mix first six ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the buttermilk and stir in the melted butter. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. You can make a large loaf by pouring the batter into a pre-heated cast iron skillet and baking for 20 – 25 minutes. If you prefer to make madeleines, butter and flour a madeleine pan. Fill each mold about 3/4 of the way and bake for 10 minutes.

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21 comments:

Erica said...

I really want to purchase one of these molds- Madeleines are such beautiful and simple cookies. Love the variation you've adapted! Isn't it funny the things you remember from when you were little?

Hopie said...

This sounds like exactly the kind of thing I would come up with -- by that I mean I WISH I had come up with it, but I'm glad that you did so I can make these :-)

Sara said...

What a great idea! I have a mini madeleine pan that I've only used once, I need to pull it out and give this a try.

Culinary Wannabe said...

I'm a sweet cornbread fan all the way. These look perfect for a late afternoon snack or to serve with tea/coffee after dinner.

Culinary Wannabe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diana said...

I love the idea of individually-sized cornbreads! And they look so dainty and delicate as madeilines! Now I think I want a madeiline pan...

Anonymous said...

Such a cute idea!

Anonymous said...

Yum, I love that you served it with some lemon curd, what a great combo. And the madeleines came out beautifully.

The Food Librarian said...

Looks great! I love madeleines and cornmeal - what a great combo!

cinnamon said...

Oh, these look so delicious, and it's very easy to make gluten and lactose free too! Thanks for sharing this recipe, I can't wait to try them.

La Bella Cooks said...

I love using my madeline molds which reminds me I need to make more soon! Great idea using them for cornbread.

Anonymous said...

How cute! Now I need a madeleine pan! Need.

Maria said...

I love my madeline pan, it makes the prettiest cookies! I haven't tried cornbread, fabulous idea!

rachel said...

what a great idea!

Anonymous said...

wow. that combination — cornbread madeilenes with lemon curd, fruit, balsamic and pepper — sounds so interesting. great idea.

PS: I've moved: www.alexandracooks.com

Cathy said...

Yum, I must have been picking up the vibes because I just bought cornmeal. I love madeleines and cornbread so there you go... I have to make these.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! Making the cornbread in a Madeleine pan. Stroke of genius! And they look like they came out prefect.

Anonymous said...

My mom also makes a tasty cornbread stuffing :). Cornbread madeleines would be a great treat with a cup of tea :).

Cate said...

Can't seem to find a way to contact you on your website. Please email me re: your win in the 2008 Well Fed Food Blog Awards. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!
I have a lot of memories like that too... not sure if I actually remember the truth or saw pictures or what.

Marsha said...

Oh, we had individual corn-shaped cornbread as a kid, too. Mother called it "corn pone."