Description
Peach financiers are elegant French almond cakes, small and buttery with a delicate nutty flavor. These golden-brown miniature cakes are topped with fresh pieces of peeled peach, making them a perfect dessert or a delightful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Batter
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup almond meal
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting pan
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- â…› teaspoon salt
Topping
- 12 small pieces of peeled peach
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin tin: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin. Sprinkle a pinch of all-purpose flour into each cup, then shake to evenly coat the bottoms and sides. This helps prevent the financiers from sticking.
- Brown the butter: Melt 3 ounces of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent burning. The butter will become foamy and then turn a golden brown color, approximately 4 minutes. Once browned, immediately remove from heat to stop cooking.
- Whisk egg whites and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 egg whites and ½ cup white sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick and foamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine dry ingredients: Gradually mix in ½ cup almond meal, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⅛ teaspoon salt into the egg white mixture. Whisk gently to combine.
- Add browned butter: Slowly whisk the browned butter into the batter until fully incorporated, ensuring a smooth, rich mixture.
- Fill the tins: Spoon the batter into each prepared muffin cup nearly to the top. Gently tap the pan to remove any trapped air bubbles for even baking.
- First bake: Bake the financiers in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
- Add the peach topping: Remove the pan from the oven and carefully place one small peeled peach piece on top of each financier.
- Second bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and set.
- Cool and serve: Let the financiers cool at least 10 minutes in the pan before gently removing them to avoid breakage. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Using almond meal instead of ground almonds gives the financiers their signature texture.
- Browning the butter adds a nutty depth of flavor essential to authentic financiers.
- Be careful not to overcook the butter when browning to avoid a burnt taste.
- Peach pieces should be small and peeled to complement the texture and sweetness of the cake.
- Financiers are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
