A madeleine is a small, shell-shaped sponge cake that originated in France. It is traditionally made with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, resulting in a light and airy texture. Madeleines are often flavored with lemon or almond, and they are typically enjoyed with tea or coffee. These delightful cakes are famous for their unique shape, which is created by baking the batter in special molds. Madeleines gained literary fame through Marcel Proust's novel "In Search of Lost Time," where the taste of a madeleine evokes memories of the past.