Description
French financiers are delicate and moist almond cakes with a rich, nutty flavor from browned butter. This recipe offers a classic base that can be customized with almond, hazelnut, or pistachio flours, making them perfect bite-sized treats to enjoy fresh or store for a few days.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 150 g Unsalted butter (for brown butter)
- 150 g Egg whites (approximately whites of 5 eggs)
- 100 g Icing sugar
- 75 g All-purpose flour (divided: 25 g per flavor variant)
- 75 g Nut flour (choose almond, hazelnut, or pistachio flour accordingly)
- Large pinch of salt
- Chopped roasted nuts (pistachio, hazelnut, almond) for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Brown Butter: Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. It will melt and start foaming. Continue cooking while stirring carefully until the milk solids on the bottom turn golden brown and emit a nutty aroma. Remove from heat before burning and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar: In a bowl, whisk the egg whites vigorously until foamy. Gradually add the icing sugar and continue whisking until well combined.
- Add Brown Butter: Whisk the cooled brown butter into the egg white and sugar mixture until fully incorporated.
- Divide and Flavor Batter: If making multiple flavors, divide the batter into three equal parts. Fold into each portion the corresponding nut flour (hazelnut, almond, or pistachio), all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt. If making only one flavor, mix all ingredients into a single batter.
- Fill Piping Bags and Chill: Transfer each batter into separate piping bags. Refrigerate for one hour to let the batter rest and thicken slightly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Molds: Preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F). Grease and prepare financier molds to ensure easy removal of the cakes.
- Pipe Batter Into Molds: Pipe the three different batters into the molds, if using multiple flavors. Lightly sprinkle the tops with chopped roasted nuts corresponding to each flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the financiers are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Remove: Allow the financiers to rest in the mold for 2-3 minutes post baking before gently removing them to a wire rack or plate to cool.
- Serve and Store: Serve financiers fresh for the best taste and texture. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
Notes
- Carefully monitor the browning of the butter to avoid burning, which could impart a bitter taste.
- Using a piping bag helps achieve even, neat financiers with a smooth top.
- Customize batters with different nut flours or omit dividing for a single flavor batch.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be kept airtight to preserve freshness for 2-3 days.
- The chopped nuts sprinkled on top add extra texture and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
