How Many Calories Are in One Chocolate Madeleine?

November 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a standard-sized chocolate madeleine typically contains between 100 and 150 calories, though this can vary significantly. The exact number of calories in one chocolate madeleine depends on factors like size, ingredients, and whether it's homemade or store-bought. This guide delves into the specifics to help you understand this delicious treat's nutritional profile.

Quick Summary

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the caloric content and other nutritional information for a typical chocolate madeleine, examining how different brands and preparation methods can impact the final numbers. It offers practical tips for fitting this treat into a balanced diet and includes a comparison table for easy reference.

Key Points

Average Caloric Range: A single chocolate madeleine typically contains between 100 and 150 calories, but can be higher depending on its size and ingredients.
Ingredient Impact: The type and amount of chocolate, butter, and sugar significantly affect the final calorie count.
Serving Size Matters: A standard madeleine is 25-30g, but larger, oversized pastries from bakeries can have considerably more calories.
Mindful Enjoyment: Portion control and pairing the pastry with low-calorie beverages are effective strategies for enjoying chocolate madeleines responsibly.
Homemade vs. Store-bought: Homemade versions allow you to control ingredients and reduce calories, for example by using less butter or sugar.
Varying Profiles: Different brands and recipes will result in distinct nutritional profiles, as shown in the comparison table.

Understanding the Caloric Range

While a single classic madeleine often falls in the 100-150 calorie range, the addition of chocolate significantly affects this value. A madeleine with a chocolate chip inclusion, a chocolate coating, or a chocolate filling will naturally have a higher energy density than its plain counterpart.

For instance, nutritional information from brands like Bonne Maman and Sainsbury's shows chocolate-enhanced madeleines ranging from 116 to 139 calories for a standard portion size of 25-30 grams. Homemade versions can be even more varied, as bakers can control the amount of butter, sugar, and chocolate added. For someone watching their intake, a quick look at the packaging or a reliable nutritional database is essential for an accurate count.

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Several key factors determine the final calorie count of a chocolate madeleine. Understanding these variations can help you make more informed choices.

Size and Weight: A larger madeleine will always have more calories than a smaller one. Standard sizes can range from 20 to 30 grams, but some specialty bakeries might offer oversized versions that are significantly higher in calories. Always check the serving size.
Type of Chocolate: The chocolate itself is a major contributor to calories. A madeleine with dark chocolate chips will have a different nutritional profile than one with milk chocolate or a sugary chocolate glaze. The quality and type of chocolate—such as a higher cocoa butter content—will also play a role.
Preparation Method: The amount of butter and sugar used in the recipe is critical. Some homemade recipes might call for more generous portions of these ingredients, bumping up the total calories. Recipes aiming for a lighter texture might use less butter or replace some of it with other ingredients, lowering the caloric impact.
Additional Fillings or Coatings: Madeleines are sometimes filled with chocolate ganache or dipped in a full coating of melted chocolate. These additions drastically increase the sugar and fat content, resulting in a much higher calorie total per piece.

A Closer Look at Nutritional Breakdown

Beyond just calories, it's helpful to understand the full nutritional picture. Here is a typical breakdown for a single chocolate madeleine, using a 25-30g serving as a reference point. The values shown are based on averages from different sources.

Calories: 110–140 kcal
Total Fat: 6–9g
Saturated Fat: 2–5g
Carbohydrates: 12–15g
Sugars: 6–10g
Protein: 1–2g

How to Enjoy a Chocolate Madeleine Mindfully

For those monitoring their intake, a chocolate madeleine can still be a part of a balanced diet with some conscious decisions. Here are a few tips:

Practice Portion Control: Stick to one madeleine rather than eating multiple. The small, individual size of a madeleine makes this easy to manage.
Pair It Wisely: Enjoy your madeleine with a cup of coffee or tea, not with other high-calorie desserts or sugary beverages.
Make Your Own: Baking your own allows for complete control over ingredients. You can reduce the sugar and butter content or use a higher percentage of cocoa in the chocolate to cut down on calories.
Consider Alternatives: If you need a lighter option, a classic, un-chocolated madeleine has fewer calories. A mini-madeleine is another great choice for a smaller, lower-calorie treat.

Chocolate Madeleine Calorie Comparison

To highlight the impact of different brands and preparations, this table compares the approximate calorie count and key nutritional aspects of various chocolate madeleines.


Feature	Sainsbury's Chocolate Madeleine	Bakery Street Dipped Madeleine	Starbucks Chocolate Madeleine
Serving Size	25g	28g (1 cookie)	68g (1 madeleine)
Calories (kcal)	116	130	220
Total Fat (g)	6.5	7	11
Saturated Fat (g)	1.2	5	7
Carbohydrates (g)	13	14	26
Sugars (g)	6.2	10	17

Conclusion

While a single chocolate madeleine is a relatively small and light dessert, its calorie count can vary from around 100 to over 200 depending on its size, brand, and preparation. For a standard 25-30g portion, you can expect between 110 and 140 calories. By being mindful of serving size and ingredients, you can enjoy this classic French pastry as a delightful and manageable treat within your dietary goals. Paying attention to these details can help you savor every bite without compromising your health objectives.

Learn more about managing your dietary intake and nutritional information by consulting resources from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

A smaller or mini chocolate madeleine, typically weighing less than 25 grams, would contain fewer calories, likely falling in the 80–110 calorie range depending on the recipe and ingredients used.

While it is a richer pastry, a single chocolate madeleine is relatively small. As a high-calorie-per-gram food, it can be considered energy-dense, but a single portion can easily fit into a balanced diet if consumed in moderation.

Dark chocolate typically contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Therefore, a madeleine made with dark chocolate chips may have a slightly different—and potentially lower—sugar count compared to one with milk chocolate, though the fat and overall calorie content will remain dependent on the quantity.

Yes, you can. By reducing the amount of butter and sugar, or substituting some butter with unsweetened applesauce, you can create a lower-calorie homemade version while maintaining a moist texture.

For store-bought products, the most accurate information is typically found on the packaging's nutritional label, which will specify the calorie count per serving.

The comparison is highly dependent on the size and recipe of both items. However, a single standard-sized chocolate madeleine is often similar in calories to a small or medium-sized chocolate chip cookie.

A classic, plain madeleine will have fewer calories than a chocolate-enhanced version because of the added sugar and fat from the chocolate chips or coating. A plain 25g madeleine might be around 118 calories, compared to a chocolate one that could be 130+ calories.