Mermaid Tail Airy Madeleines

Featured in: Spicy Entrées

These delicate madeleines are inspired by mermaid tails, featuring pastel shades created with food coloring gels for a beautiful marbled effect. The batter combines rich butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and flour, baked to golden perfection. After cooling, each madeleine is dipped in melted white chocolate and adorned with shimmering sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls, creating an elegant, airy treat ideal for refined gatherings or festive occasions. The light vanilla flavor and smooth texture make them perfect for pairing with floral teas or sparkling beverages.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:03:00 GMT
Golden, shimmering Mignardises Queue de Sirène, mermaid tail-shaped, with white chocolate and colorful sprinkles. Save
Golden, shimmering Mignardises Queue de Sirène, mermaid tail-shaped, with white chocolate and colorful sprinkles. | pepperplume.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.

I first served these mignardises at a summer tea party and they were a huge hit with all my guests.

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

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.
Sweet vanilla Mignardises Queue de Sirène, perfectly dipped and decorated, ready for a delightful dessert display. Save
Sweet vanilla Mignardises Queue de Sirène, perfectly dipped and decorated, ready for a delightful dessert display. | pepperplume.com

This recipe always brings my family together, sharing these delicate treats over afternoon tea.

Notes

For extra flavor add finely grated lemon or orange zest to the batter. Use silicone madeleine molds for easy release. Pair with floral teas or sparkling moscato for a delightful treat.

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).

Pastel-colored madeleines, the Mignardises Queue de Sirène, offer a lovely visual treat, perfect for French tea! Save
Pastel-colored madeleines, the Mignardises Queue de Sirène, offer a lovely visual treat, perfect for French tea! | pepperplume.com

Enjoy these elegant mignardises as a perfect finishing touch to your next celebration or tea time.

Recipe FAQ

What gives these madeleines their pastel colors?

Food coloring gels are gently mixed into separate portions of batter to create soft pastel shades, which are swirlingly combined for a marbled effect.

How do I prevent the madeleines from sticking to the pan?

Generously butter the madeleine pan and dust it with flour before adding the batter to ensure easy release after baking.

What is the best way to add decoration to these treats?

After cooling, dip the tips in melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with mermaid tail shapes, edible glitter, and sugar pearls for a shimmering finish.

Can I add a citrus twist to the flavor?

Yes, finely grated lemon or orange zest can be incorporated into the batter to add a fresh, citrusy note.

What should I serve these with for an ideal experience?

Pair these airy vanilla madeleines with floral teas or sparkling moscato to enhance their delicate flavors during afternoon gatherings.

Mermaid Tail Airy Madeleines

Pastel-colored vanilla madeleines feature a marbled effect and white chocolate with shimmering decorations.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
12 min
Complete duration
32 min
Created by Isabella Flores


Complexity Easy

Heritage French

Output 24 Portions

Diet considerations 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 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
06 ½ teaspoon baking powder
07 Pinch of fine sea salt
08 Food coloring gels in pastel blue, purple, pink, and green

Decoration

01 5 ounces white chocolate, chopped
02 Mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter
03 Assorted sugar pearls

Directions

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

Whisk eggs and sugar: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar until pale and thick, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Phase 04

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

Phase 05

Incorporate butter: Gradually fold the melted butter into the batter until smooth.

Phase 06

Color batter: Divide the batter evenly into 3 to 4 small bowls and tint each with different pastel food coloring gels.

Phase 07

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

Phase 08

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

Phase 09

Melt chocolate: Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water.

Phase 10

Decorate madeleines: Dip the tip of each cooled madeleine into the melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with mermaid tail sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls. Place on parchment paper to set.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional health advice if you're uncertain.
  • Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), and milk (butter and white chocolate)
  • May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on chocolate and decorations

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