A madeleine is a small French butter cake with a shell on one side and a hump on the other, and the pan does half the work. The shell pattern, the browned edges and a clean release all depend on it, because the batter sits in a shallow mold for only a few minutes of hot baking. A muffin tin will not stand in.
The good news is that the pans are simple and the differences are few: the finish, the size of the mold and how much care the coating asks for. This guide names eight worth buying, explains why a light finish is easier to bake on than a dark one, and shows the preparation that matters more than the pan.
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Quick verdict: which madeleine pan to buy
For most kitchens, the best madeleine pan is the Fox Run 12-Cup Nonstick Madeleine Pan: it took first place in Milk Street’s test of a dozen pans for even browning and easy release, and its lighter finish is forgiving. For larger recipes choose the USA Pan 16-Well, which released especially well but browned less evenly. For the classic French shape choose the Gobel 12-Shell, and butter it well.
Skip silicone. We explain why below.
Five madeleine pans side by side
Five picks for five kinds of baker, with what each maker or listing states. All eight pans are reviewed in full below.
| Pan | Best for | Build | Heat & care (per maker or listing) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fox Run 12-Cup Nonstick Madeleine PanBest overall
|
First pan, classic shells | Carbon steel, 12 cups | 445°F; hand wash advised | View on Amazon |
USA Pan 16-Well Nonstick Madeleine PanBest for bigger batches
|
Larger recipes | Aluminized steel, 16 wells | 450°F; hand wash only | View on Amazon |
Gobel 12-Shell Nonstick Madeleine PanBest French-made
|
Traditional shape, browning | Nonstick steel, 12 shells | 482°F; dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Nonstick Madeleine PanBest warranty
|
Long written warranty | Coated steel, 12 cups | Limit not stated; hand wash advised | View on Amazon |
Fox Run Mini Madeleine Pan, 20-CupBest mini
|
Party trays, small bites | Carbon steel, 20 mini | Limit and care not stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Oven limits and care are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best madeleine pan
These eight pans cover the classic 12-cup, a larger 16-well, the French original, mini shells, an uncoated option and rounder shapes. Each pick explains who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. Fox Run 12-Cup Nonstick Madeleine Pan – Even Browning, Easy Release
This is the plain 12-cup carbon steel pan most home bakers should start with, and it has the best outside evidence behind it. Milk Street tried a dozen madeleine pans over four rounds, judging build, shape, browning and release, and put the Fox Run 12-cup first for even browning and easy release. The pan it describes, carbon steel with a light nonstick finish, matches this listing.
The finish matters more than it sounds. Madeleines bake fast, and a very dark coating can over-brown the ridges before the center sets. A lighter gray surface gives you more room. Fox Run lists 12 classic shells in a pan that measures 15.5 by 7.5 by 1 inches, a long, narrow tray that sits easily on a home oven rack.
Fox Run rates it to 445°F. The maker calls it dishwasher safe but recommends washing by hand, because detergent is hard on the coating. Follow that advice and butter the shells anyway. Nonstick helps with release, but the butter does the work of coloring the edges.
Why we like it
- First place in Milk Street’s test of a dozen pans, for even browning and easy release
- Light nonstick finish, which leaves more margin than a dark pan
- Twelve classic shell cavities per the listing
- Oven safe to 445°F per Fox Run
Key specifications
| Model | 44925 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cavities | 12 |
| Pan size | 15.5 x 7.5 x 1 inches |
| Oven limit | 445°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits anyone buying a first madeleine pan who wants classic shells and a clean release with the least risk. It is the pan to choose if you bake a batch now and then and do not want to learn a pan’s quirks first.
Skip it if you want more than 12 madeleines from one pan, or you want a stated warranty. The listing does not give one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Backed by a named independent test
- Light finish browned evenly at Milk Street
- Standard 12-cup size fits most recipes
Cons
- Coating type not stated
- No warranty stated in the listing
- Hand washing advised despite the dishwasher rating
2. USA Pan 16-Well Nonstick Madeleine Pan – More Shells per Batch
USA Pan’s version holds 16 wells rather than 12, so one pan handles a larger recipe. Each well is 2 by 3 inches and 0.625 inch deep, according to the maker, and the pan measures 15.75 by 11.125 inches. Check that against your oven racks and freezer shelf, because it is noticeably wider than a 12-cup pan.
The body is aluminized steel with USA Pan’s Americoat silicone coating. In the Milk Street test it came second: the textured coating released especially well and the wide rim made it easy to handle, but browning was inconsistent. If you buy it, watch the first batch closely and turn the pan partway through if one side runs ahead.
Care is stricter than with the Fox Run. USA Pan says to hand wash in warm water with mild soap, keep it out of the dishwasher and skip cooking spray, which is a good reason to brush on soft butter instead. Use silicone, nylon or wooden tools. The pan carries a limited lifetime warranty and is made in the USA from globally sourced materials.
Why we like it
- Sixteen wells in one pan, per the maker
- Coating released especially well in Milk Street’s test
- Wide rim makes the pan easy to handle
- Limited lifetime warranty from USA Pan
Key specifications
| Model | 1297MD |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Coating | Americoat silicone nonstick |
| Cavities | 16 |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 11.125 x 0.5625 inches |
| Oven limit | 450°F |
| Care | Hand wash only; no cooking spray |
| Made in | USA, from globally sourced materials |
Why we recommend it
This suits bakers who make madeleines for a crowd or a holiday tray and want a commercial-gauge pan with a long warranty. The rim also helps if you find a loaded pan awkward to carry.
Skip it if you want the most even color with the least attention. Milk Street marked it down for inconsistent browning.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger batch from a single pan
- Strong release in an independent test
- Made in the USA with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Browning was inconsistent in Milk Street’s test
- No dishwasher, no cooking spray
- Wider than most 12-cup pans
3. Gobel 12-Shell Nonstick Madeleine Pan – French-Made Classic Shells
Gobel has made bakeware in France since 1887, according to the brand’s listing, and this is the traditional long shell in a nonstick version. The listing gives 12 shells of 3.1 by 2 inches in a pan of 15.6 by 7.9 by 0.7 inches.
It has the highest rating among the coated pans here, at 482°F, and the listing describes a two-layer nonstick coating and calls it PFAS-free. That claim comes from the Amazon listing; other retailer pages for Gobel pans mention PFOA-free only, so read the listing as it stands when you buy. Gobel says release needs no greasing, but we would still butter the shells for flavor and color.
One caution from outside the listing. Milk Street found that Gobel pans browned beautifully but tended to stick. It does not say which coating or model, so that may not describe this pan, but it is a good reason not to skip the butter. The listing says dishwasher safe, with a warning against abrasive pads and metal tools, and gives a one-year warranty.
Why we like it
- Made in France, per the listing
- Classic 3.1 by 2-inch shells
- Oven safe to 482°F per the listing
- Milk Street praised Gobel’s browning
Key specifications
| Model | 47731-12 |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel |
| Coating | Two-layer nonstick, listed as PFAS-free |
| Cavities | 12 |
| Pan size | 15.6 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches |
| Oven limit | 482°F |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; no abrasives or metal tools |
| Made in | France |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker who cares about the traditional shape and browning and is happy to butter every shell. It is also the one to look at if a French-made pan matters to you.
Skip it if easy release is your first priority. Milk Street’s note on Gobel pans sticking points you toward the Fox Run or USA Pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Traditional shell proportions
- Highest rating among the coated pans here
- Made by a long-established French bakeware house
Cons
- Milk Street found Gobel pans tended to stick
- One-year warranty per the listing
- PFAS-free wording comes from the listing only
4. Chicago Metallic 12-Cup Nonstick Madeleine Pan – Long Warranty, Simple Care
Chicago Metallic’s Professional pan is a straightforward 12-cup with a silicone-based nonstick coating. The listing gives the overall size as 15.75 by 7.75 inches, close to the Fox Run, so it takes the same oven space and the same recipes.
What sets it apart is the paperwork. The listing states a 10-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship, a clear promise for a pan this simple and longer than the Gobel’s stated term. It is also listed as dishwasher safe, with hand washing recommended to extend its life.
One thing to know before you buy: the listing is not consistent about the metal. It says heavy-weight aluminized steel in one line and carbon steel in another. Either way it is a coated steel pan, but we would not treat the material as settled. The listing gives no oven limit, so check the packaging if your recipe runs hot, and keep to gentle tools to protect the coating.
Why we like it
- Ten-year warranty stated in the listing
- Silicone-based nonstick coating
- Twelve traditional shell cups
- Dishwasher safe, though hand washing is advised
Key specifications
| Model | 26631 |
|---|---|
| Material | Coated steel; listing says both aluminized and carbon steel |
| Coating | Silicone-based nonstick |
| Cavities | 12 |
| Pan size | 15.75 x 7.75 inches |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits a home baker who wants a plain, standard pan from an established bakeware brand and values a long written warranty over a test result.
Skip it if you want independent evidence. We found no reputable test that covers this pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Long stated warranty
- Standard 12-cup format
- Established bakeware brand
Cons
- Listing is inconsistent on the metal
- No oven limit stated
- No independent test found
5. Bellemain 12-Cavity Madeleine Pans, 2-Pack – Two Pans for Back-to-Back Batches
A madeleine recipe often makes more than 12. This set from Bellemain, a kitchenware brand sold mainly on Amazon, gives you two carbon steel pans with 12 ridged cavities each, so you can fill one while the other bakes.
That matters more with madeleines than with muffins. The methods we cite call for a cold, buttered pan, and a hot pan cannot go straight back into service. With two pans you can keep one chilled and ready, which keeps the batches moving.
The listing calls the coating nonstick without saying what type, and it gives no oven limit or pan dimensions, so this is a less documented choice than the pans above. It is listed as dishwasher safe. Confirm the pack size on the page before you buy, because the title says 2-pack while the listing data shows a single unit.
Why we like it
- Two pans let one chill while the other bakes
- Twelve ridged shell cavities per pan
- Carbon steel body
- Dishwasher safe per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 91179 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cavities | 12 per pan |
| Pan size | Not stated |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who bakes large recipes of madeleines at a go, such as for a shower or holiday boxes, and would rather rotate two pans than wait for one to cool.
Skip it if you bake a dozen at a time. One Fox Run covers that with far better evidence.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two pans keep a large recipe moving
- Classic ridged shell
- Easy cleanup per the listing
Cons
- Few specifications in the listing
- Listing data does not confirm the pack count
- Amazon-first brand, no warranty stated
6. Fox Run Mini Madeleine Pan, 20-Cup – Bite-Size Shells
Mini madeleines are a different treat: one or two bites each, with more crisp edge for the amount of crumb. This carbon steel pan makes 20 of them, with molds that Fox Run lists at about 1.75 by 1.25 inches and 0.5 inch deep.
The narrow format is handy. At 4.75 by 15.5 by 0.5 inches, the tray is slim enough to fit in a tight freezer for chilling, and it weighs 6.4 ounces. That light weight suits small bakes, but a thin pan holds little heat, so stay close to the oven.
Mini shells need a shorter bake than most recipes print, because those times are written for standard shells. Start checking well before the stated time and go by the color of the edges. Fill sparingly, too. The listing gives no oven limit or washing instructions, so treat the coating as you would any nonstick: soft tools and no scouring.
Why we like it
- Twenty mini shells per batch
- Slim tray for a crowded freezer
- Mold size stated in the listing
- Same maker as our top pick
Key specifications
| Model | 44933 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, type not stated |
| Cavities | 20 mini |
| Pan size | 4.75 x 15.5 x 0.5 inches |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits party trays, coffee plates and anyone who wants small, two-bite cookies. It also works well as a second pan alongside a standard 12-cup.
Skip it if you want a true full-size madeleine. These are much smaller than the classic shell.
Pros and cons
Pros
- High yield from a small tray
- Light and easy to handle
- Good for dessert platters
Cons
- Short bake leaves little margin
- Light pan holds little heat
- No oven limit or care details stated
7. Fox Run Stainless Steel Scallop Shell Pan, 12-Cup – No Coating, High Heat Rating
If you would rather not have a nonstick coating, this is the option here. It is plain stainless steel with 12 scallop molds, and Fox Run rates it to 572°F, the highest figure on this page. The listing also allows hand washing or the dishwasher.
Be clear about what you are getting. Fox Run describes these as a deeper scallop shape rather than the traditional shallow, long madeleine mold, and calls the pan a twist on the classic. Your cookies will look like round shells, and a deeper mold takes more batter and a longer bake than a recipe written for classic shells.
Stainless with no coating depends entirely on your butter. Brush the molds generously, chill the pan and let the cookies rest briefly before you nudge them out with a dull knife or small offset spatula. The pan measures 10.5 by 13.75 by 1.25 inches, which makes it wider and shorter than a standard 12-cup.
Why we like it
- No coating to wear or chip
- Rated to 572°F per Fox Run
- Hand wash or dishwasher
- Deep scallop shape for a different look
Key specifications
| Model | 48505 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Coating | None |
| Cavities | 12 scallops |
| Pan size | 10.5 x 13.75 x 1.25 inches |
| Oven limit | 572°F |
| Care | Hand wash or dishwasher |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker who avoids coated pans, does not mind a rounder scallop and wants a pan that can take a firm scrub.
Skip it if you want the traditional long madeleine shape, or a pan that forgives light buttering.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Uncoated and easy to scrub
- Highest heat rating here
- Dishwasher friendly
Cons
- Not the classic shape
- Release depends on careful buttering
- Recipes need adjusting for the deeper mold
8. CHEFMADE 12-Cavity Spherical Shell Madeleine Pan – Rounder Shells, PTFE-Free Claim
CHEFMADE, a bakeware brand sold mainly on Amazon, makes this carbon steel pan with 12 spherical shell cavities of 2.8 inches. The pan measures 12.8 by 10.1 by 1.3 inches, so it is more square than the long classic pans and suits a smaller oven.
The listing describes the coating as PTFE and PFOA free. That is the brand’s own claim, and the listing does not name what the coating is made of, so we report it as stated and no further. It recommends hand washing, then air drying or warming the pan in the oven to protect the coating.
As with the Fox Run scallop, the cavity shape changes the cookie. A generous, round shell is pleasant to look at and easy to fill, but it is not the long classic shape, and a fuller well needs more batter. The pan is black, so take the dark-pan advice seriously and start checking earlier.
Why we like it
- Coating listed as PTFE and PFOA free
- Generous 2.8-inch cavities
- Compact overall footprint
- Carbon steel body
Key specifications
| Model | WK9872 |
|---|---|
| Material | Carbon steel |
| Coating | Nonstick, listed as PTFE and PFOA free |
| Cavities | 12 spherical |
| Pan size | 12.8 x 10.1 x 1.3 inches |
| Oven limit | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits a baker with a small oven who likes a fuller, rounder shell and wants a coating the brand says is free of PTFE.
Skip it if you want the traditional shape or a stated oven limit. The listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits smaller ovens better than long pans
- Generous cavities
- Coating claim stated clearly
Cons
- Coating composition not named
- Dark pan browns faster
- Amazon-first brand, no warranty stated
How to choose a madeleine pan
Finish and color
Dark metal runs hotter. King Arthur’s chocolate madeleine recipe bakes 8 minutes in a light-colored pan and only 6 in a dark one, which is a big swing on such a small cake. Milk Street found that one dark-coated pan needed chilling for at least 15 minutes to avoid over-browning. A light finish gives you more margin. If your pan is dark, start checking early.
Cavity size and shape
Classic shells run about 3 by 2 inches and are long and shallow. That is what most recipes assume, and King Arthur fills each well with one level tablespoon of batter. Scallop and spherical molds hold more, and mini molds much less, so the bake time changes with them.
Coating
Most madeleine pans are coated steel, but the coating details vary. USA Pan and Chicago Metallic say silicone-based. Gobel and CHEFMADE list PFAS-free and PTFE-free claims. Several others say only “nonstick”. If that matters to you, read the listing and take the claim as the seller’s, not ours. Stainless is the one choice here with no coating at all.
Pan footprint
Measure your oven racks and your freezer shelf. Chilling the pan is part of the method, and a 15.75 by 11.125-inch pan may not slide into a crowded freezer. A 12-cup pan around 15.5 by 7.5 inches is the easiest size to live with.
Why we left out silicone
Silicone molds are widely sold, including from well-known makers. But Milk Street reports that every silicone pan in its test failed: they were floppy to handle and the madeleines browned unevenly. Since browned edges are the point of a madeleine, we did not include one.
Getting a clean release from any pan
The preparation below takes about ten minutes of chilling and helps with every pan on this page.
Start with soft butter, not melted, and brush it into every ridge. Milk Street’s preferred method is to brush on softened butter and then chill the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before filling. King Arthur also butters the wells thoroughly and puts the pans in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. USA Pan advises against cooking spray on its coating, so butter is the safer habit.
Do not overfill. For classic shells, a level tablespoon is about right. When the cakes are done, let them sit for a few minutes. King Arthur cools its chocolate version in the pan for 5 minutes, then nudges each one out with a dull knife or an offset spatula. Metal tools can mark a coated pan, so work gently.
How we picked these eight pans
We did not bake in these pans. We started from Milk Street’s published pan test, which is the most useful independent source we found, and from what each maker and Amazon listing states about material, coating, size and care. We kept pans from identifiable makers that were in stock when we checked, and we kept them varied, so the list covers real differences in size, shape and coating rather than eight similar trays. The Mrs. Anderson’s Baking pan came third at Milk Street, but its listing showed limited stock, so it is not here. Details such as warranties and oven limits are as stated by the maker or listing, and “Not stated” means we could not find them.
Madeleine pan questions, answered
Do you really need a madeleine pan?
Yes, if you want madeleines. The batter would bake in another mold, but the shell shape and the thin browned edges come from the pan. Without one you are making small sponge cakes.
Is a nonstick madeleine pan better?
For most home bakers, yes. Nonstick makes release easier, and the top three pans in Milk Street’s test were all nonstick. You still need butter for color, flavor and insurance.
Are silicone madeleine molds any good?
Milk Street reports that all the silicone pans in its test failed, because they were floppy and browned unevenly. A metal pan is the better buy.
What size should I buy?
Buy a 12-cup pan unless you have a reason not to. It suits the most recipes and the most ovens. Choose 16 wells for larger recipes, or a 20-cup mini pan for bite-size cookies.
Should I grease a nonstick pan?
Yes. Gobel says its coating needs no greasing, but Milk Street and King Arthur both butter the molds. Use soft butter and a brush, since USA Pan advises against cooking spray.
Why are my madeleines sticking?
The usual causes are thin butter, a warm pan or a rushed turn-out. Butter every ridge, chill the pan and give the cakes a few minutes before you nudge them out.
Our pick for shells at home
Buy the Fox Run 12-cup if you want one pan and the best evidence. Choose the USA Pan for larger batches and the Gobel for the French shape, and keep the butter brush close whichever you pick.
For the rest of the baking shelf, see our best non stick baking pan guide, and if you would rather bake a larger cake, the best Bundt pan picks. For a neat batch of muffins, see our muffin tin reviews. And on a night when you would rather not bake, see the Julia’s menu and call to order at (346) 546-8283.