Mermaid Tail Airy Madeleines

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

This creation offers delicate, pastel-colored madeleines infused with vanilla and lightly baked to a golden edge. Each small cake is dipped in melted white chocolate, then garnished with shimmering mermaid tail sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls, adding a festive shimmer. The soft texture combines with subtle sweetness and a faint vanilla aroma, perfect for elegant teatime or celebratory gatherings.

The batter is tinted with soft food coloring for a marbled, colorful effect, baked until puffed and lightly golden, then cooled before dipping. Finely grated citrus zest can enhance the flavor complexity. Ideal when paired with floral teas or sparkling drinks.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:41:00 GMT
Sweet Mignardises Queue de Sirène, showing pastel-colored madeleines dipped in white chocolate with mermaid sprinkles. Save
Sweet Mignardises Queue de Sirène, showing pastel-colored madeleines dipped in white chocolate with mermaid sprinkles. | meadowplate.com

Delicate, mermaid tail-inspired petits fours featuring colorful, airy madeleines with a hint of vanilla, dipped in white chocolate and adorned with shimmering sprinkles — perfect for refined afternoon teas or festive celebrations.

This recipe combines delicate flavors and whimsical presentation that impress both kids and adults at our afternoon teas.

Ingredients

  • For the Madeleines: 100 g unsalted butter plus extra for greasing, 2 large eggs, 90 g granulated sugar, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 110 g all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, pinch of fine sea salt, food coloring gels (pastel blue, purple, pink, green)
  • For Decoration: 150 g white chocolate chopped, mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter, assorted sugar pearls

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously butter a madeleine pan and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
Melt Butter:
Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly.
Beat Eggs and Sugar:
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and thick (about 3–4 minutes). Mix in the vanilla extract.
Sift Dry Ingredients:
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into the egg mixture until just combined.
Add Butter:
Gradually fold in the melted butter until the batter is smooth.
Color Batter:
Divide the batter evenly into 3–4 small bowls. Tint each portion with a different food coloring gel, stirring until pastel shades are achieved.
Fill Pan:
Using a teaspoon, spoon small amounts of each colored batter into the cavities of the prepared pan, swirling gently to create a marbled effect.
Bake:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the madeleines are puffed and the edges are golden. Cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Melt Chocolate:
Once completely cool, melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water.
Decorate:
Dip the tip of each madeleine into the melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with mermaid tail sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls. Place on parchment paper to set.
Close-up of freshly decorated Mignardises Queue de Sirène, ready to serve at a colorful celebration. Save
Close-up of freshly decorated Mignardises Queue de Sirène, ready to serve at a colorful celebration. | meadowplate.com

These treats always bring smiles during our family celebrations, especially the kids who adore the shimmering sprinkles.

Required Tools

Electric mixer, madeleine pan, mixing bowls, small saucepan, sifter, wire rack, parchment paper

Allergen Information

Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), milk (butter and white chocolate). May contain traces of nuts or soy (check chocolate and decorations).

Nutritional Information

Calories: 87 per mignardise. Total Fat: 5 g. Carbohydrates: 10 g. Protein: 1.3 g.

Beautiful Mignardises Queue de Sirène, displaying the sweet mermaid tail design with shimmering edible glitter. Save
Beautiful Mignardises Queue de Sirène, displaying the sweet mermaid tail design with shimmering edible glitter. | meadowplate.com

Enjoy crafting these delicate delights that taste as enchanting as they look.

Recipe FAQs

How do I achieve the pastel colors in the batter?

Use small amounts of gel food coloring, stirring gently to create soft pastel hues without altering the batter’s texture.

What is the best way to prevent madeleines from sticking to the pan?

Generously butter the madeleine pan and dust it lightly with flour before adding the batter, ensuring easy release.

How should the white chocolate coating be applied?

Melt the white chocolate gently over simmering water, then dip the cooled madeleine tips quickly to avoid melting the cake.

Can I add extra flavors to the batter?

Yes, finely grated lemon or orange zest can be folded into the batter to enhance aromatic notes.

How long should I bake these madeleines?

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden and cakes have puffed up slightly.

What pairings complement these delicate treats?

They pair wonderfully with floral teas or sparkling moscato, balancing sweetness with delicate aromas.

Mermaid Tail Airy Madeleines

Airy vanilla madeleines tinted in pastel shades, dipped in white chocolate and decorated with shimmering sprinkles.

Prep Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
12 minutes
Overall Time
32 minutes
Recipe by Ella Whitcombe


How Tough Easy

Cuisine French

Serves 24 Portions

Diet Preferences Meatless

What You Need

Madeleines

01 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
02 2 large eggs
03 7 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
06 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 Pinch of fine sea salt
08 Food coloring gels (pastel blue, purple, pink, green)

Decoration

01 5.3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
02 Mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter
03 Assorted sugar pearls

How To Make

Step 01

Prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a madeleine pan and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

Step 02

Melt butter: Melt butter in a small saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly.

Step 03

Beat eggs and sugar: In a medium bowl, beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and thick, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 04

Combine dry ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the egg mixture until just combined.

Step 05

Add melted butter: Gradually fold melted butter into batter until smooth.

Step 06

Color batter: Divide batter evenly into 3 to 4 small bowls. Tint each with different food coloring gels to achieve pastel shades.

Step 07

Fill pan: Using a teaspoon, spoon small amounts of each colored batter into madeleine cavities, swirling gently to create a marbled effect.

Step 08

Bake madeleines: Bake for 10–12 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden. Cool in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 09

Melt white chocolate: Once madeleines are completely cool, melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over gently simmering water.

Step 10

Decorate madeleines: Dip tips of madeleines into melted white chocolate, immediately sprinkle with mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls. Place on parchment paper to set.

Tools Needed

  • Electric mixer
  • Madeleine pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Small saucepan
  • Sifter
  • Wire rack
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Details

Review each item for allergens, and reach out to a medical professional if you're unsure.
  • Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), and milk (butter and white chocolate)
  • May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on chocolate and decorations

Nutrition Info (each serving)

Details are meant for general information, not for medical purposes.
  • Energy: 87
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 1.3 g