Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
10-12 minutes
Total Time:
25-30 minutes
Yield:
About 30-36 Madeleines (may vary by pan size)
Servings:
12–18
If you’re craving a unique twist on the classic French Madeleine, these Black Sesame Madeleines with Lime and Almond Flakes are the perfect combination of nutty richness, zesty brightness, and delicate texture. Madeleines are known for their iconic shell shape and tender crumb, but this version adds a bold twist using ground black sesame, fresh lime juice, fragrant lime zest, and optional crispy almond flakes.
In this post, you’ll find the full recipe, my personal story behind it, and detailed tips to help you bake batch after batch of perfect Madeleines. Whether you’re here for flavor inspiration, recipe exploration, or a love of sesame desserts, you’re in the right place! 😄✨
Why I Made These Black Sesame Madeleines 💭
Recently, I baked a loaf of bread filled with black sesame seeds. The moment it came out of the oven, the kitchen filled with the warm, toasty aroma of sesame. 🌬️🌿 It instantly reminded me how much I adore black sesame — not only for its flavor but also for its incredible health benefits.
That loaf of bread sparked an idea. What if I tried using black sesame in one of my favorite small treats: Madeleines? These tiny French cakes are naturally buttery and lightly sweet, which makes them the perfect base for bolder flavors like sesame. The more I imagined it, the more excited I became to experiment.
Another motivation behind this recipe is that black sesame is super nutritious 💪 — rich in healthy fats, calcium, iron, and minerals. Even though Madeleines are still treats, adding black sesame feels like giving them a nourishing upgrade.
I also love playing with aesthetics in baking. Ground black sesame gives the Madeleines a stunning grey-charcoal color that looks modern and elegant. They stand out on dessert platters and make beautiful edible gifts. 🎁🌫️
To balance the nuttiness, I added fresh lime zest and a splash of lime juice, bringing brightness and freshness to each bite. 🍈✨ It’s aromatic, lively, and deeply complementary to sesame’s warmth.
And because I love texture, I topped some of the Madeleines with almond flakes. These are completely optional — not part of the traditional recipe — but they add a lovely crunch and highlight the nutty flavor. 🌰💛 If you prefer the smooth, classic shell surface, feel free to skip them!
The Magic of Black Sesame in Desserts ⚫✨
Black sesame is widely used in East Asian cuisine, especially in desserts like sesame soup, buns, cookies, and cakes. Its deep, roasty flavor makes it extra special. Here’s why it works beautifully in Madeleines:
🌰 Nutty Depth
Black sesame adds bold flavor without overwhelming the delicate sponge.
🧈 Perfect With Butter
Sesame and butter create a warm, toasty aroma that’s incredibly comforting.
🎨 Natural Color
It gives a unique charcoal-grey color, making your Madeleines visually eye-catching.
🍋 Pairs Perfectly With Citrus
Lime enhances sesame’s nuttiness and brightens the entire dessert.
If you’re a lover of Japanese, Korean, or Taiwanese bakery treats, these Madeleines feel like the perfect East-meets-West fusion. 🌏💕
📝 Ingredients
4 large eggs
140 g granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla sugar
140 g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
100 g all-purpose flour
40 g ground black sesame
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of a small lime (optional)
Almond flakes (or any other nuts chopped into smaller pieces, optional for topping or mixed with the batter)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare your pans 🧈
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Grease your Madeleine molds with butter.
2. Whip the eggs and sugar
In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and slightly thick.
This step is key for achieving the iconic Madeleine “hump.”
3. Add vanilla and lime 🍋
Mix in the vanilla extract or vanilla sugar, lime zest, and lime juice.
The aroma will immediately brighten the batter.
4. Combine dry ingredients ⚫
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
flour
ground black sesame
baking powder
salt
- vanilla sugar (if not using the vanilla extract)
This ensures an even distribution of sesame and prevents lumps.
5. Fold the dry into the wet 🥄
Gently fold the dry mixture into the egg mixture.
Avoid overmixing; we want to keep the batter light and airy.
6. Fold in melted butter — and mix in the almond flakes here 🌰💛
Gently fold in the melted butter until the batter becomes smooth, glossy, and silky.
Here I’m also mixing in a small handful of almond flakes. There are many ways to add nuts at this stage — you can use any nuts of your choice, finely chopped or sliced. I used almond flakes simply because that’s what I had on hand, and I love the extra nuttiness they bring.
You can also skip nuts entirely, or you can sprinkle them on top before baking. I personally prefer mixing them into the batter so every bite gets that mild crunch.
7. Chill the batter for 30–60 minutes in the refrigerator ❄️
Place the batter in the fridge and let it chill for at least 30 minutes (up to 1 hour).
Chilling helps the batter firm up, which is essential for getting the classic Madeleine hump and preventing the batter from spreading too much during baking.
8. Scoop and bake 🧁🔥
Fill each shell cavity about ¾ full. The batter will spread and puff beautifully.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers rise into a gentle dome.
9. Cool and enjoy 🌿
Let them cool in the pan for 1–2 minutes, then move them onto a cooling rack.
Best enjoyed still warm.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Madeleines Every Time
1. Don’t add the butter too early
Adding butter too early deflates the eggs. You’ll end up with flat, dense Madeleines.
Folding it in at the end ensures a light, tender crumb.
2. Chill the batter
This step is non-negotiable for a proper rise and that iconic bump.
3. Use a good nonstick Madeleine pan
It makes a huge difference in how the shell pattern appears.
4. Don’t overbake
Madeleines cook quickly. Remove as soon as the edges turn golden.
5. Customize the flavors
This recipe is flexible!
Try:
orange zest
yuzu zest
coconut flakes
pistachios
toasted sesame on top
browned butter (for a deeper aroma)
🍵 How to Serve These Madeleines
These pair wonderfully with:
green tea
jasmine tea
roasted barley tea
coffee
earl grey
a small glass of cold milk
even a drizzle of honey
They make beautiful gifts, afternoon treats, or brunch pastries.
🧊 How to Store Madeleines
Madeleines are best the day they’re made, but you can store them:
in an airtight container for 2–3 days
refrigerated for up to 5 days
frozen (wrapped well) for up to 2 months
Warm them lightly before serving to revive the softness.
Loved this recipe? 💛
Share your batch of Black Sesame Madeleines with me! Tag your photos, leave a comment below, or let me know how you customized them. I’d love to see your creations. 🖤🍋✨
Find my other baking recipes on my Blog here!
