A Madeleine or petite madeleine is a traditional sweet from Commercy, a town of the Meuse département in northeastern France.

Madeleines are identified by the distinctive shell-like shape they acquire from being baked in special pans with shell-shaped depressions. Madeleines are cake-like and fairly small. Their flavor is similar to, but somewhat lighter than, pound cake, with a pronounced butter-

and-lemon taste. The madeleine can be made in different flavors including vanilla, lemon, orange, and chocolate.

Aside from the traditional molded pan, commonly found in stores specializing in kitchen equipment, few tools are required to make madeleines. The recipe is basic, consisting of such common cake ingredients as eggs, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract.