Financiers (Mini French Almond Cakes) Recipe
Classic French mini almond cakes known as Financiers feature a moist texture and rich nutty flavor from brown butter and almond meal. These delicate, buttery treats are perfect for tea time or dessert, with optional vanilla and flaked almonds to enhance the taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini financiers 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 25 gr Plain / All-Purpose Flour
- 125 gr Almond Meal
- 100 gr Icing Sugar (or Powdered Sugar)
- 1 pinch Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 150 gr Unsalted Butter
- 5 Egg Whites (about 150 grams)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (optional)
For Topping (optional)
- Flaked Almonds (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F). Generously grease a financier pan and optionally dust it with flour, then tap out any excess flour to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Brown Butter: In a small saucepan over low to medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Continue cooking while stirring occasionally until the butter foams and then turns golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma, about 5 to 8 minutes. When you see small brown specks at the bottom, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, almond meal, icing sugar, and salt. Stir to combine evenly.
- Whisk Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites until slightly bubbly but not fully whipped.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the egg whites to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Then whisk in the cooled brown butter and vanilla extract (if using) until just combined.
- Fill the Pan: Transfer the batter to a piping bag or scoop it with a spoon into the prepared financier pan. Spread evenly with the back of a spoon if necessary and sprinkle flaked almonds on top if desired.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cakes turn lightly golden. If using mini loaf or muffin pans, bake a few minutes longer until done.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to rest in the pan for about 15 minutes before carefully removing the financiers. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Using a financier pan helps achieve the traditional rectangular shape, but muffin or mini loaf pans are acceptable with adjusted baking times.
- Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor essential to authentic financiers.
- Whisk egg whites only until slightly bubbly to keep the batter light without adding too much air.
- Allowing the cakes to rest in the pan before removing helps prevent breakage.
Keywords: Financiers, almond cakes, French desserts, brown butter, mini cakes, gluten free, tea time treats
