Mermaid Tail Madeleines Delight

Featured in: Sweet Clever Treats

These charming madeleines are softly textured and gently flavored with vanilla. Colored in pastel hues, each is baked to golden perfection before being dipped in creamy white chocolate. The finale includes delicate mermaid tail sprinkles and sugar pearls, creating a shimmering effect. Ideal for refined afternoon teas or festive moments, these treats combine simplicity with a whimsical touch. Preparation is straightforward, combining classic techniques with vibrant colors to entice both the eyes and palate.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:05:00 GMT
Delicate Mignardises Queue de Sirène, white chocolate-dipped, and sparkling with mermaid sprinkles, a dessert dream. Pin it
Delicate Mignardises Queue de Sirène, white chocolate-dipped, and sparkling with mermaid sprinkles, a dessert dream. | smartyskitchen.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 have always loved adding a whimsical touch to my desserts, and these mermaid tail mignardises never fail to impress guests at gatherings.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: 100 g plus extra for greasing
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Granulated sugar: 90 g
  • Pure vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • All-purpose flour: 110 g
  • Baking powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Fine sea salt: Pinch
  • Food coloring gels: pastel blue, purple, pink, green
  • White chocolate: 150 g, chopped
  • Mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter: as needed
  • Assorted sugar pearls: as needed

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Set to 180°C (350°F). Generously butter a madeleine pan and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
Melt butter:
Melt in a small saucepan, then set aside to cool slightly.
Mix eggs and sugar:
Beat with electric mixer until pale and thick about 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in vanilla extract.
Sift dry ingredients:
Sift together flour baking powder and salt. Gently fold into egg mixture until just combined.
Add melted butter:
Gradually fold in until batter is smooth.
Color batter:
Divide batter into 3 to 4 small bowls. Tint each portion with different food coloring gels stirring until pastel shades are achieved.
Fill pan:
Using teaspoon spoon small amounts of each colored batter into prepared pan cavities swirling gently for marbled effect.
Bake:
For 10 to 12 minutes or until madeleines puffed and edges golden. Cool in pan for 2 minutes then transfer to wire rack.
Melt white chocolate:
In heatproof bowl over gently simmering water.
Dip and decorate:
Dip tips of madeleines into melted white chocolate then sprinkle with mermaid tail sprinkles edible glitter and sugar pearls. Place on parchment paper to set.
Close-up of pastel-colored Mignardises Queue de Sirène, beautifully decorated, ready for teatime enjoyment. Pin it
Close-up of pastel-colored Mignardises Queue de Sirène, beautifully decorated, ready for teatime enjoyment. | smartyskitchen.com

This recipe brings back fond memories of family tea times where everyone eagerly awaited the delicate colors and shapes of the mignardises.

Notes

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

Golden-baked Mignardises Queue de Sirène make a delightful dessert, showcasing their intricate mermaid tail design. Pin it
Golden-baked Mignardises Queue de Sirène make a delightful dessert, showcasing their intricate mermaid tail design. | smartyskitchen.com

These mignonardises are a perfect balance of delicate flavor and stunning appearance guaranteed to impress with every bite.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What gives the madeleines their pastel colors?

Food coloring gels in pastel shades like blue, purple, pink, and green are gently folded into portions of the batter to achieve soft hues.

Can I add extra flavor to the batter?

Yes, finely grated lemon or orange zest can be incorporated to enhance the vanilla flavor with citrus notes.

How do I ensure the madeleines have a soft texture?

Beating eggs and sugar until pale and thick, folding ingredients gently, and using melted butter contribute to a light, airy crumb.

What is the best way to decorate these treats?

After cooling, dip the tips into melted white chocolate and immediately top with mermaid tail sprinkles, edible glitter, and sugar pearls.

What equipment is needed for baking?

A madeleine pan, electric mixer, mixing bowls, a small saucepan for melting butter, a sifter, wire rack, and parchment paper are key tools.

Mermaid Tail Madeleines Delight

Colorful, airy madeleines dipped in white chocolate, decorated with shimmering sprinkles for elegant occasions.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Overall Time
32 min
Created by Emily Scott


Skill Level Easy

Culinary Roots French

Makes 24 Portions

Diet Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll 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 7/8 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 plus ounces white chocolate, chopped
02 Mermaid tail-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter
03 Assorted sugar pearls

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Mix 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, then incorporate the vanilla extract.

Step 04

Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold this mixture into the egg batter until just combined.

Step 05

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

Step 06

Color the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into 3 or 4 small bowls, tinting each with a different pastel food coloring gel.

Step 07

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

Step 08

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

Step 09

Melt White Chocolate: Once cool, melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water.

Step 10

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

Tools You'll Need

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

Allergy Info

Review each item for allergens and reach out to a healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains eggs, wheat (gluten), and dairy (butter and white chocolate).
  • May contain traces of nuts or soy; verify decorations and chocolate ingredients.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Info for reference only. Always check with your doctor for health guidance.
  • Energy (Calories): 87
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Proteins: 1.3 g