Looking for a fun, easy dessert that looks like it came straight from a bakery window? These oyster cookies, made with store-bought best madeleine cookies, are the perfect DIY treat to wow your guests without the fuss. With just a few ingredients—colored frosting, edible pearls, and your favorite best madeleine cookies—you’ll whip up a whimsical, show-stopping dessert in minutes. Whether you’re planning a mermaid-themed birthday party, a beachy bridal shower, a nautical bash, or just want a fun afternoon project, these oyster cookies made from the best madeleine cookies are sure to make waves and disappear fast!
What Are Seashell Cookies?
Seashell cookies are a playful twist on classic madeleines. These soft, buttery sponge cakes are baked in a seashell-shaped pan and transformed into beachy masterpieces with colorful frosting, edible shimmer, and a surprise pearl center. We sandwiched two madeleines together with frosting and tucked in a sugar pearl to turn them into madeleine oysters—a dessert that’s part cookie, part ocean fantasy.
Why Use Store-Bought Best Madeleine Cookies?
Let’s be honest—baking from scratch isn’t always realistic. That’s why we love working with store-bought best madeleine cookies. They’re buttery, moist, and already have that iconic scalloped shape that resembles a seashell. With a few simple additions, you can easily transform them into elegant oyster cookies that look completely custom. Look for madeleines with a golden brown edge and a soft, sponge-like texture. Classic vanilla, lemon, or even chocolate flavors work beautifully. For this oyster cookie recipe, we picked up Overjoyed Madeleines.
Ingredients and Supplies
To whip up these fabulous oyster cookies, all you need is a box of store-bought best madeleine cookies, a swirl of colored frosting, and a handful of edible sugar pearls for that perfect pearly pop. Want to keep it easy? Grab pre-colored frosting. Feeling creative? Tint plain white frosting with gel food coloring to match your vibe—ocean blues, soft pinks, mermaid mint, dreamy lavender, or even a swirled ombré for that full-on under-the-sea fantasy. Top it all off with a touch of edible glitter, shimmer dust, or gold leaf if you’re feeling extra glam.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Madeleine Oysters
Let’s get this oyster cookie party started. First things first: grab your box of store-bought best madeleine cookies and start playing matchmaker. Pair up cookies that are similar in size—because no one wants a lopsided oyster. Each duo will become one glam little sea snack. Now for the frosting moment. Using a piping bag (or a zip-top bag if you’re winging it), swirl a generous dollop onto the flat side of one madeleine. Don’t just slap it on—give it a little peak in the center. That’s where your edible pearl is going to sit like royalty.
Next, it’s time to bling it up. Gently press a candy pearl right into the frosting. Want a classic look? Go with white. Feeling bougie? Use iridescent or gold-toned pearls for that under-the-sea but make it couture vibe. Once your pearl is nestled in place, crown it with the second cookie. Place it slightly off-center so the frosting and pearl peek through like an oyster caught mid-gossip. That little tilt is what turns these from basic to the best madeleine oyster cookies on the block.
From-Scratch Seashell Madeleines: Ingredients
Want to bake your own madeleines? Here’s how to create the perfect base for your madeleine oysters:
For coating the pan:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
For the madeleine batter:
- 10 tablespoons (141g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1¼ cups (155g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons lemon or orange zest
From-Scratch Seashell Madeleines: Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, melt 1 tablespoon butter and whisk with 1½ teaspoons flour. Use a pastry brush to lightly and thoroughly grease every cavity of your madeleine pan.
- Melt Butter: Melt the remaining 10 tablespoons of butter in a heatproof bowl. Set aside to cool.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until thoroughly combined (about 30 seconds).
- Incorporate Flour: Sift the flour into the egg mixture in thirds, folding gently after each addition.
- Add Butter & Zest: Drizzle the cooled melted butter around the edge of the batter and add zest. Fold in gently until fully combined, but don’t overmix.
- Bake: Drop batter by heaping tablespoons into the prepared pan. Bake on the center rack for 9 minutes or until light golden and springy. Cool on a wire rack.
- Assemble the Cookies: Once cool, follow the same oyster cookie assembly steps using your homemade madeleines.
Decorating Tips for Your Seashell Cookies
Now that your oyster cookies are assembled, it’s time to turn up the charm. A few thoughtful finishing touches can take them from cute to completely couture. These easy tricks will give your cookies that polished, party-ready look worthy of any dessert table.
- Use a small round piping tip for delicate swirls and dots.
- Chill the cookies for 10 minutes before serving so the frosting sets and holds the top cookie in place.
- Mix frosting colors to match your party theme.
- Try flavored frosting like strawberry, lemon, or almond to complement the madeleines.
- Add edible gold leaf for an extra bougie touch.
- Place each cookie in a mini cupcake liner for a boutique dessert bar look.
Make Them for Any Occasion
These oyster cookies may be bite-sized, but they bring big energy to any celebration. They’re the kind of dessert that gets people talking (and posting). Equal parts cute and classy, they’re ridiculously easy to make but look like they came from a high-end bakery. Whether you’re hosting a party, planning a bridal bash, or just want to impress your brunch crew, these seashell cookies are ready for their moment in the spotlight. These seashell cookies are perfect for:
- Mermaid or ocean-themed birthday parties
- Nautical baby showers
- Bridal showers and bachelorettes
- Summer brunches and tea parties
- Beach-themed weddings and dessert bars
And since they’re made with store-bought best madeleine cookies, you can prep them in under 15 minutes. That’s what we call a win-win.
You don’t need to be a pastry chef to wow your guests. With just a box of store-bought best madeleine cookies, a little colored frosting, and an edible pearl, you can create an elevated, elegant dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. These madeleine oysters are proof that a little creativity goes a long way—and that store-bought doesn’t have to mean boring.
Oh my goodness! Those are so cute and creative. The candy pearl is a nice touch…I love it!
How fun! I need to make some of these with my kids. They look so delicious.
Those turned out so adorable!! What a wonderful idea. I need to make some of these. They’re so cute!!
What a unique way to make these cookies so fancy. These are my favorite cookies that I already buy.
A brilliant idea to make ordinary-looking cookies extraordinary. Thanks for sharing.
I love these!!! Your Madeleine oysters are the cutest and such a lovely idea for a party. You made them look so easy especially by using shop bought Madeleines.
These oyster cookies look delicious! I love that they are easier to make with store bought Madeleine cookies!
These cookies are beautiful and elegant. Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe and secrets!
this is such a fab way to present and enjoy these already delish madeleine cookies.. i now want to go get some for myself
These madeleine cookies look so soft and yummy 😋! I liked how simple the recipe sounds, great for a cozy baking day 😍.
These cookie sandwiches are super cute! I love how they look like seashell cookies. These would be perfect for parties.
These oyster cookies are absolutely adorable—such a creative and elegant idea that looks way more complicated than it actually is! I really appreciate how approachable the recipe is, especially for busy hosts or those who might not bake from scratch often. One tip for anyone planning to make these for summer events: chill the cookies briefly before serving if you’re using a softer frosting—especially outdoors—to help them hold their shape. Also, if you’re going for extra wow factor, a tiny dusting of edible shimmer really makes them pop on a dessert table. Thanks for the inspiration—definitely saving this for my next themed gathering!
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