Madeleines

I love eating madeleines, but have never made them. Hope they aren't too difficult, as they will be nice little treats to bag up for friends on Valentine's Day.

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbs) butter, melted and cooled, plus additional for brushing molds
1 1/4 cups sifted flour (sift before measuring)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
Optional: Confectioner's sugar for dusting

Pre-heat oven to 350*. Brush molds with melted butter.

Sift together flower, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.

Beat eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high until light and foamy, about 30 seconds with a stand mixer. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating at high speed, then continue to beat until mixture is tripled in volume, about 3 minutes with stand mixer.

Sift flour mixture over eggs in 3-5 batches, folding in each batch until just combined. Fold in zest and remaining 12 Tbs melted butter.

Spoon a rounded tablespoon of batter into each mold, filling it about 2/3 full. Bake (with 2 pans), switching position of pans halfway through baking, until golden around edges and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 10-12 minutes total.

Invert madeleines onto a rack and dust scalloped sides with confectioner's sugar.

Note: Batter is best baked as soon as it is made, but if you don't have multiple pans, you can bake in batches.