Quick summary: A madeleine pan (also called a madeleine tray, mold, tin, or mould) is a shell-shaped baking pan for making classic French madeleines, usually with 12 cavities. The best madeleine pans are made of heavy-gauge nonstick or aluminized steel for even baking and easy release; silicone molds are the most nonstick and dishwasher-safe but less crisp. When choosing one, look at the material, cavity size and count, heat resistance, and whether you want metal or silicone.
This post is a part of my Madeleine series in tribute to this iconic French pastry and all that it means, from its fascinating history, choosing the right ingredients, all the secrets of authentic madeleine hump, and storage suggestions, you name it!
Madeleines are small French cakes that often come in shell-like form. The secret to making them well isn't just using the right ingredients and following the recipe; it's also knowing how to bake them right!
To get started on your journey towards becoming skilled at this delicate art form, you need one good madeleine tin, without which the madeleine recipe won't succeed.
If you want authentic humped madeleines, it helps to bake in quality molds for the best results. Madeleine molds are plentiful on the market. That means you are bound to find one with just what you need.
However, there can be issues when selecting a material that suits you and deciding how much to spend. So, how to choose the best madeleine mold?
What is a madeleine pan?
A madeleine pan, also called a madeleine tin, tray, mold, or mould, is a baking pan with shell-shaped cavities that give French madeleines their signature ridged shape and rounded hump. Most pans hold 12 madeleines, with each cavity measuring about 2 x 3 inches, though mini and giant versions are also common.
The names are often used interchangeably. "Pan" and "tin" are the most common terms, "tray" describes the flat metal sheets, and "mold" or "mould" usually points to flexible silicone versions. Whatever you call it, the shell-shaped cavity is what sets it apart from a standard muffin or cake pan.
Material
The choice of madeleine tray is crucial because it determines the material you use. You can find different molds made from silicone, steel, or aluminum.
Steel madeleine pans are known for their excellent heat transfer. In addition, carbon steel is durable, whether coated or not.
If it has a high-quality nonstick coating, it will not deteriorate during baking. Make sure that steel pans don't release harmful substances, such as PTFE, PFOA, etc., at high temperatures.
A silicone madeleine mold is an excellent alternative to steel ones. For example, the de Buyer madeleine pan is made from food-grade silicone and offers good heat convection.
Guy Demarle also offers a professional-quality FLEXIPAN® OHRA madeleine mold that provides exceptional flexibility, nonstick properties, and resistance to extreme temperatures.
One downside of aluminum molds is that they may not withstand frequent use. Even though aluminum's conductivity is reasonable, it is not the best material to choose. One thing is for sure. You will definitely want to read about baking with silicone molds.
Temperature resistance
You should bake these little cakes in a very hot oven, so be sure to check what temperature the mold can handle.
For example, the madeleine mold from Lekue can withstand a high temperature of 446°F (230°C); the de Buyer madeleine pan allows baking up to 425°F (218°C).
You will also need to place the mold filled with batter in the refrigerator. Some materials, such as silicone, will withstand the fridge's cold.
Size
The best way to help your madeleines turn out well is to use a pan size (outer dimensions) that matches your oven.
Most importantly, the madeleine cake pan should have deep cavities rather than shallow ones to guarantee the most beautiful bumps on top of the madeleines.
Most metal pans are too shallow to form the good-quality madeleine hump. The market offers a variety of madeleine trays for regular-sized cakes, mini-madeleine pans, and giant versions.
Shape
You might not know, but you can make madeleine cakes in different shapes. The most popular is the shell-shaped design, but there are also round, scallop-like, heart-shaped, and animal designs for those looking for something different.
Capacity
Consider how many cavities you need and how wide a variety you want, then choose what works for you.
The average size for these little treats is 12 cavities per batch; however, some pans bake from 16 to 36, and even more. You can make 36 perfectly shaped madeleines at once with a professional Gobel madeleine pan.
Read the madeleine recipe you will make and check the number of servings. For example, if you want to make 36 madeleines from the classic madeleine recipe, then choosing a pan with 12 or 18 cavities makes sense.
Price
When choosing a madeleine baking pan, type and quality matter. Madeleine pans are designed explicitly for madeleines. So keep in mind how often you make them and what shape/size best suits your needs.
You can get by with a less expensive madeleine pan if you are a beginner at madeleine baking.
Start with a simple silicone madeleine mold from Lekue that makes perfect madeleines despite its low price. If you make madeleines often and want something durable, consider brands used by professional chefs. The cost of madeleine molds varies by brand.
Brand
With all these madeleine pans out there, how will you ever decide? You could end up with a pan from any number of brands.
This decision should be based on personal preference, which means it can involve serious weighing. So which brand do you like best?
Both the Lekue madeleine mold and the Tefal madeleine pan are inexpensive best sellers for beginners.
Le Creuset has been around for decades, and it still makes some of the best kitchen tools and cookware.
The Le Creuset madeleine pan offers excellent heat conduction, so your madeleines bake evenly.
The Moul'flex silicone madeleine mold is an excellent example of De Buyer's craftsmanship.
The pan's superior heat conduction makes it even better for making traditional small sponge cakes that won't disappoint.
Gobel, another French brand, is a go-to for home bakers and chefs who want to make authentic madeleines.
The company offers both a 36-count madeleine baking sheet and a mini madeleine pan, perfect sizes when entertaining guests or just needing more than one dessert going at once.
Another must-have nonstick mold for your kitchen is the Silpat madeleine mold (sold by Amazon and Sur La Table), which makes it easy to release your baked treats.
This French invention has been around since 1959, and it still rules supreme as one of, if not the best, options available today.
Not only does this impeccably designed utensil perform every time you use it, but its quality never declines with age either.
One of the specialties of the French company Matfer Bourgeat is producing a sharing madeleine mold for XXL-sized madeleines (la madeleine du partage in French).
The giant madeleine mold is a perfect gift for those who love this traditional French treat.
The innovative design by French pastry chef Fabrice le Bourdat lets people make "a royal madeleine" to share with family and friends.
If you live in America, try brands like Chicago Metallic or CHEFMADE to get high-quality, durable pans at an affordable price.
The Chicago Metallic madeleine pan is made by one of the leading manufacturers that produce pans for home and commercial baking.
Finally, CHEFMADE makes high-quality baking pans, from simple cake pans and Pullman loaf pans to animal muffin pans, scallop madeleine molds, and heat-shaped pans.
Should you invest in a new madeleine pan if you have one at home? This is a great question. You might have an old, vintage madeleine pan from your grandma!
If you don't want to invest in something new but still want the best results and quality, then there is a solution for you.
Use what you have for better success with this foolproof madeleine recipe, and see if it works.
Later, you might experiment by switching your madeleine pan for a professional one and trying your favorite madeleine recipe.
Best madeleine pans
If you want a single recommendation, a heavy-gauge nonstick or aluminized steel pan with 12 deep cavities is the best all-around choice for even browning, a tall hump, and easy release. Look for pans rated for high heat, since madeleines bake in a very hot oven.
For everyday baking, a USA Pan or Chicago Metallic nonstick tray is a reliable pick. For the most effortless release and easy storage, a Lekue or Silpat silicone mold is hard to beat, though it browns a little less. If you bake often or cook for a crowd, a professional Gobel or Matfer Bourgeat tin gives you more cavities and years of use.
Nonstick vs silicone vs metal madeleine pans
Metal and nonstick pans conduct heat quickly and give madeleines the crisp, golden edges and defined shell ridges that make them so recognizable. They usually need a light coat of butter and flour, or a baking spray, to release cleanly.
Silicone molds are the most nonstick and often need no greasing at all; they also flex so the cakes pop right out. The trade-off is slightly softer edges and paler browning, since silicone heats more slowly. If crisp shells matter most, choose metal; if easy release and storage matter most, choose silicone.
Do you need a special pan to make madeleines?
You do not strictly need a madeleine pan, but you do need one to get the classic shell shape and hump. The shaped cavities form the ridges on one side and the rounded bump on the other, so a standard pan gives you the flavor of a madeleine without the look.
What can you use instead of a madeleine pan?
If you do not own a madeleine pan, a mini muffin pan is the closest substitute, since it holds about the right amount of batter. Mini tart pans, small scone tins, or silicone molds also work. The cakes will not have the shell shape, but they still taste great.
For step-by-step options, see my guide to the best madeleine pan substitutes, or try a madeleine recipe without a mold that walks you through baking them with what you already have.
FAQ
What is a madeleine pan?
A madeleine pan is a baking pan designed to make French madeleines, with cavities that give each cake its signature shell shape and hump. Each cavity measures about 2 x 3 inches, and most pans have 12 cavities.
What is the difference between a madeleine pan, tray, mold, tin, and mould?
They all refer to the same thing. "Madeleine pan" and "madeleine tin" are common in the US and UK; "madeleine tray" and "madeleine mould" (the British spelling) are used interchangeably; and "madeleine mold" often refers to silicone versions. All have the classic shell-shaped cavities.
How do you prepare a madeleine mold?
For a metal pan, brush the cavities with softened butter, then dust with flour and tap out the excess, or use a high-heat baking spray. Silicone molds usually need no greasing.
How do you remove madeleines from the pan?
With a silicone pan, push each cavity up from the bottom. With a metal pan, gently lift them out or tap the inverted pan firmly on the counter so they release at once. Cool them on their side, and avoid sharp utensils on nonstick or silicone.
How do you clean a madeleine pan?
Most madeleine pans are best hand-washed. Soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes, then use a soft cloth or sponge to clean the grooves, and dry completely before storing. Some silicone pans are dishwasher-safe.
What can you use instead of a madeleine pan?
If you do not have a madeleine pan, a mini muffin pan, a mini tart pan, or small scone tins work as substitutes. They will not have the shell shape, but the madeleines still taste great.
Madeleine recipes
Here are the recipes and tips you need to make perfect madeleines every time.
Divina says
I am looking for those deep madeleine mold similar to Korea. The brand is Wooojung (I can’t find them where I live), but I can find something similar that would be great. I’m looking up the brands that you’ve mentioned.
Irina says
Hello Divina, please, make sure to read about baking with silicone molds while choosing between metal and silicone madeleine pan. Happy shopping!