Cardamom and Orange Cannelés

Purchasing, Preparing, and Caring for the Cannelé Molds

– There are several options when picking out cannelé molds, but I recommend using copper-lined ones. Copper conducts heat exceptionally well and ensures a crispy exterior and moist flan-like interior as the cannelés bake.

– If you are using copper cannelé molds for the first time, it is important to season them properly. The traditional way is to use beeswax. Preheat the oven to 400°F/205°C for conventional or 375°F/190°C for convection. Melt beeswax in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Brush the molds inside with melted wax and place them on a sheet pan in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and invert on a wire rack over a sheet pan to let excess wax drain out. When the molds cool, repeat this process three more times. Seasoning the molds this way ensures that your cannelés will have a shiny and smooth exterior. It also prevents them from sticking to the molds. Ideally, this process should be repeated each time you bake cannelés, but it can be done every other time after the first five bakes if the cannelés are unmolding easily.

– Beeswax can generally be found at specialty stores or online at several retailers. It comes in blocks or chips. I recommend chips simply because they are easier to melt; otherwise, they are the same.

– Copper cannelé molds do not need to be washed. To clean, wipe with a dry towel.

One Day Prior: Season the Molds

Prepare cannelé molds using the method described above.

Make batter

1. Combine the milk, butter, cardamom, and orange zest in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and let cool to about 100°F/38°C or lukewarm to the touch.

2. Whisk the egg yolks into the milk mixture. When they have been incorporated, whisk in the rum.

3. Whisk the flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk in the warm milk one-third at a time, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl between additions. Some air bubbles will form, but keep these to a minimum. When finished, the batter will have the consistency of heavy cream.

4. Strain the batter through a medium sieve into an airtight container. Before closing, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the batter, to prevent a skin from forming. Press the lid of the airtight container on tightly. Refrigerate overnight to rest the batter.

The Day of the Bake

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C for conventional or 425°F/220°C for convection.

2. Warm the molds in the oven for 15 minutes before filling. Preheating the molds helps ensure the cannelés have a crunchy, caramelized exterior.

3. Brush the molds with a thin layer of melted beeswax. (Too much wax will cause the mixture to spill out of the mold during baking.) Gently mix the batter to reincorporate ingredients that may have settled overnight. Be careful not to over mix or risk incorporating too much air into the batter. The more uniform the batter is, the better the final product.

4. Fill each mold to about ¼ in/6 mm from the top, about 2¾ oz/80 g of batter each. When the cannelé bakes, it will rise slightly, then sink, so it is essential to leave a small space to account for this rise.

5. Place the molds on a sheet pan and bake on the center rack for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F/175°C for conventional or 325°F/160°C for convection, and bake for 35 to 45 minutes more.

6. Let the cannelés, still in their molds, cool for 10 minutes. Turn the cannelé molds upside down and gently tap the top until the cannelé drops out onto the wire rack. Let cool completely before serving.