Mermaid Tail Madeleines Delight

Featured in: Sweet Crunch

This creation features airy, pastel-colored madeleines inspired by a mermaid's tail. The batter is gently tinted with food coloring gels and baked to a golden puff. Once cooled, each madeleine is dipped in melted white chocolate and adorned with shimmering sprinkles and sugar pearls, adding a playful yet refined touch. Perfectly suited for afternoon teas or festive gatherings, these delicate treats combine a subtle vanilla flavor with charming decoration.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:24:00 GMT
Beautiful Mignardises Queue de Sirène: dainty, colorful madeleines dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles, ready to enjoy. Save
Beautiful Mignardises Queue de Sirène: dainty, colorful madeleines dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles, ready to enjoy. | nachohaha.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 has become a favorite for elegant gatherings, impressing guests with its delicate flavors and beautiful presentation.

Ingredients

  • 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)
  • Decoration: 150 g white chocolate, chopped, Mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter, Assorted sugar pearls

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Generously butter a madeleine pan and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
Step 2:
Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly.
Step 3:
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.
Step 4:
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold into the egg mixture until just combined.
Step 5:
Gradually fold in the melted butter until the batter is smooth.
Step 6:
Divide the batter evenly into 3–4 small bowls. Tint each portion with a different food coloring gel, stirring until pastel shades are achieved.
Step 7:
Using a teaspoon, spoon small amounts of each colored batter into the cavities of the prepared pan, swirling gently to create a marbled effect.
Step 8:
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.
Step 9:
Once completely cool, melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water.
Step 10:
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.
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This recipe often brings our family together, with everyone enjoying the colorful treats over tea in the afternoons.

Notes

Pair with floral teas or sparkling moscato for a delightful treat. Required tools include electric mixer, madeleine pan, mixing bowls, small saucepan, sifter, wire rack, and 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

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

Close-up of freshly decorated Mignardises Queue de Sirène, showing the shimmering sprinkles and delicious white chocolate coating. Save
Close-up of freshly decorated Mignardises Queue de Sirène, showing the shimmering sprinkles and delicious white chocolate coating. | nachohaha.com

These mignardises are a charming addition to any occasion, combining delicate flavors with an elegant presentation.

Recipe FAQ

What gives the madeleines their pastel colors?

Different portions of the batter are tinted using pastel food coloring gels like blue, purple, pink, and green to create a gentle marbled effect.

How do you achieve the distinctive mermaid tail shape?

Using a madeleine pan coated with butter and dusted with flour helps create the signature shell-shaped form, which pairs beautifully with mermaid tail sprinkles.

Can I add extra flavor to the batter?

Yes, finely grated lemon or orange zest can be folded into the batter for a fresh citrus note that complements the vanilla.

What is the best way to ensure the white chocolate coating sets well?

After dipping each cooled madeleine tip into gently melted white chocolate, place them on parchment paper to allow the coating to firm up at room temperature.

Are these treats suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, they contain no meat or gelatin, making them appropriate for vegetarian diets.

Mermaid Tail Madeleines Delight

Colorful madeleines tinted pastel, dipped in white chocolate and decorated for elegant celebrations.

Prep duration
20 min
Time to cook
12 min
Complete duration
32 min
Created by Carlos Vega


Complexity Easy

Heritage French

Output 24 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free

Components

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

Directions

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix to combine.

Phase 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Phase 05

Fold Dry Ingredients into Egg Mixture: Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined.

Phase 06

Incorporate Melted Butter: Gradually fold in the melted butter until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.

Phase 07

Divide and Color Batter: Divide the batter evenly into 3 to 4 small bowls. Tint each portion with different food coloring gels until pastel shades are achieved.

Phase 08

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

Phase 09

Bake Madeleines: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until puffed and golden at the edges. Cool in the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Phase 10

Melt White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over gently simmering water.

Phase 11

Decorate Madeleines: Dip the tip of each cooled madeleine into the melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, and assorted 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 component for potential allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're concerned about specific ingredients.
  • Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), and milk (butter and white chocolate). May contain traces of nuts or soy.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 87
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 1.3 g