Cannelés by Mé Lou

In France, we really like desserts. And they’re even more cause for celebration when the whole family rolls up their sleeves and gets involved. Some crazy food bloggers are inviting you to take the kids into the kitchen and test out some of their sweet recipes – and this week, we’re making traditional cannelés with Mé Lou.

It was a variation of pancake batter that inspired the recipe for these soft, caramelised cupcakes, flavoured with rum and vanilla, specialities of Bordeaux. Mé Lou is queen of brioche, chocolate rolls, apple turnovers, tarte au flanc and colourful meringues… and puts them prominently on her gourmet it-list. If you don’t have a fluted, cylindrical mould at home, now’s the time to order one – or better still, plan a trip to Nouvelle-Aquitaine to taste the authentic version en famille!

Ingredients

  • ½ litre milk
  • 125g (4.5oz) flour
  • 250g (9oz) sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 30g (1oz) butter + extra for greasing
  • 1 vanilla pod or vanilla extract
  • 10ml rum

Method

  • Prepare the dough the day before, to allow time for it to rest in the fridge.
  • Boil the milk with the open vanilla pod or extract. Leave to infuse until cool, then remove the pod if using, scraping out the seeds.
  • In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, eggs, rum and melted but cooled butter. Mix everything well, and then add the cooled milk.
  • Place the mixture in the fridge overnight.
  • Remove the bowl from the fridge and give it a tap to shake up the mixture. Leave the bowl at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to its hottest temperature: 270 degrees.
  • Butter the cannelé moulds and fill them three quarters full with the mixture.
  • Bake for 10 minutes at maximum temperature, then reduce the heat to 200 degrees for a further 35-40 minutes. (This is for 4cm-high moulds. If you’re using smaller moulds, reduce the time.)
  • The aim is to achieve a caramelised outside and a soft, airy centre. Enjoy!

Follow Mé Lou on Instagram at la_sale_assiette (External link)