Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your madeleine pan with butter or use a non-stick spray to ensure your cookies pop out easily once baked.
Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps ensure an even distribution and prevents any lumps from forming in the batter.
Beat the eggs and sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. This process will take a few minutes with an electric mixer.The air incorporated during this step is key to achieving that light texture.
Add the wet ingredients: Gently fold in the melted butter, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Be careful not to overmix; the goal is to keep the batter light and airy. If you’re using citrus zest or almond extract, add them now for extra flavor!
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overworking the batter to maintain its light texture.
Fill the madeleine pan: Spoon the batter into each madeleine mold, filling each about 2/3 full. Don’t worry if it’s a bit messy; the batter will spread out beautifully in the oven.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges and spring back when gently touched.
Cool and serve: Let the madeleines cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a lovely finishing touch.