Moist buttery almond French teacakes made with egg whites, browned butter, ground almonds, sugar and a little flour. Authentically shaped as a gold bar or oval to reflect the cake's history. Makes 18 classic financier cakes (or 30 mini).
financier cake moulds either rectangular or oval shaped (if not, mini muffin moulds)
Ingredients
140g (5½oz)egg whitesfrom approx 4 medium organic eggs
140g (5½oz/ 10 tbsp)unsalted buttercut into bits
120g (4½oz/ 1¼ cups)ground almonds (almond flour)
140g (5½oz/1 cup)icing/confectioner's sugar
50g (2oz/ 6 tbsp)plain all-purpose flour
pinchsalt (fleur de sel)
3 dropsalmond extract (or vanilla)
1tablespoonslivered almonds(for decor)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/Gas 6. Measure out the egg white and set aside.
Brown the butter: melt the chopped butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Once the butter starts to foam, continue for another 5 minutes or until it starts to turn light golden brown (like its name 'beurre noisette', it should be the colour of hazelnuts). To tell it's ready, the butter will start to 'chirp' like a bird. Take off the heat and set aside.
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the egg whites and mix in the slightly cooled browned butter. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes in the fridge.
Place the moulds on a baking sheet. Using a spoon, fill silicone moulds and sprinkle with the flaked almonds.
Bake in the oven for 13-15 minutes (or 10 mins if using mini moulds)
Notes
Serve freshly baked with Darjeeling or jasmine green tea.Measures: Please note that all my recipes are best made using digital kitchen scales in precise metric grams. Both ounces (and cups) are given as a guide. Financier Cake Variations: replace the almond flour with ground hazelnuts or pistachios; add a teaspoon of Matcha green tea powder; or top with a redcurrant or tiny piece of chopped fresh or candied fruits.Recipe with kind permission from Waverley Books from my book, 'Teatime in Paris; A Walk Through Easy French Pâtisserie Recipes'.
Keyword almond cakes, financier cakes, financiers, french teacakes, friandes