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Welcome to your ultimate guide to making French financiers! These delightful, golden-brown little almond cakes are a staple in French patisseries and are beloved worldwide for their simplicity, elegance, and rich, nutty flavor. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive into the history of French financiers, reasons to try them, the importance of brown butter, and step-by-step instructions on how to craft the perfect financiers at home. Additionally, we’ll provide some flavor variations to keep your baking exciting and a detailed recipe complete with measurements and nutrition facts. Let’s embark on this delicious journey!
What are financier cakes?
Financier cakes, or simply financiers, are small almond cakes, light and moist with a crisp, eggshell-like exterior. Traditionally, they are baked in small rectangular molds, which supposedly resemble a bar of gold, thus giving them their name. Financiers are often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee as a delightful afternoon treat.
These cakes are known for their rich, buttery flavor, courtesy of a key ingredient: brown butter (beurre noisette). While almonds are a critical component, variations with other nuts or fruits also exist. Originating in France in the 19th century, financiers were initially popularized by a pastry chef named Lasne, who sold them to the financial workers near the Paris Stock Exchange – hence the financial-inspired name. Today, they remain a beloved treat in France and beyond.
4 reasons to try the French financier recipe
1. Simple Ingredients: French financiers require only a few staple ingredients – butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and almond meal. That means you can whip up a batch without a run to the specialty store.
2. Quick to Make: One of the best things about financiers is that they are quick to prepare. In under an hour, you can have freshly baked cakes ready to enjoy.
3. Versatility: The basic financier recipe is incredibly versatile. You can add various flavorings such as vanilla, citrus zest, or even swap out the almond meal for other nut flours.
4. Elegant and Delicious: Despite their simplicity, financiers are sophisticated in flavor and appearance, making them perfect for impressing guests at a tea party or a casual get-together.
Ingredients for French financiers
The ingredient list for French financiers is short but specific. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 g) almond meal or almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
Note that the use of powdered sugar is critical as it dissolves easily, giving the batter a smooth texture. Other variations can include adding fruit or using different types of nut flour.
Why is brown butter important to financiers?
Brown butter, or beurre noisette, is a French culinary staple and an essential ingredient in financiers. Creating brown butter involves gently cooking unsalted butter until the milk solids caramelize, resulting in a nutty, aromatic flavor and a beautiful golden-brown color. This process concentrates the butter’s flavor, bringing a deep richness to the financiers that regular melted butter simply can’t achieve.
The nutty aroma of brown butter complements the almond flavor in financiers perfectly. In many ways, the allure of a good financier is its complex, yet subtle, flavor, largely owing to the brown butter. This makes it well worth the extra step in the recipe.
How to make financiers?
Making financiers is straightforward. Start by preparing your brow butter. Cut the butter into pieces and melt it in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until it turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma, then remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
In a separate bowl, sift together the almond meal, powdered sugar, and all-purpose flour. In another larger bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy – you don’t need to beat them to stiff peaks, just frothy. Fold the sifted dry ingredients into the egg whites gently, then stir in the slightly cooled brown butter and vanilla extract.
Bake the brown butter French financiers
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour your financier molds (traditionally rectangular, but mini muffins tins will work too). Fill each mold about ¾ full with the batter. If desired, sprinkle some sliced almonds on top for extra texture.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the financiers have a golden-brown edge and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the molds for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature – they’re delicious either way!
FAQs
Q: Can I use regular flour instead of almond flour?
A: Almond flour is essential for the classic texture and flavor of financiers, but in a pinch, you can substitute another nut flour like hazelnut or a fine blend of all-purpose flour. The flavor and texture will be different but still delicious.
Q: How long do financiers stay fresh?
A: Financiers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Q: Do I need special financier molds?
A: While traditional rectangular molds give financiers their classic shape, you can use mini muffin tins or other small baking molds without compromising on taste.
A few flavor variations for French financiers
1. Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to your batter for a fresh, tangy twist. This pairs well with the nutty brown butter flavor.
2. Chocolate Chips: Fold some mini chocolate chips into the batter for a decadent spin. This adds a gooey center to your financiers.
3. Raspberries: Press a fresh raspberry into the center of each financier before baking. The berry will add a delightful fruity burst with each bite.
More cake recipes that you can eat like cookies
If you enjoyed making financiers, you might also love these cake-like treats that are just as easy to eat:
- Madeleines: These scallop-shaped cakes are light and buttery, perfect with a hint of lemon or vanilla.
- Friands: Similar to financiers but often include fruits or flavorings right in the batter.
- Mini Bundt Cakes: Dense, moist, and perfect for icing or glazing, these mini cakes are as perfect for a lunchbox as they are for dessert.
📖 Recipe
French Financier Recipe
Ingredients
US Customary
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 g) almond meal or almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
Metric
- 115 g unsalted butter
- 100 g almond meal or almond flour
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 60 g all-purpose flour
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
1x
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 g) almond meal or almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
2x
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (200 g) almond meal or almond flour
- 3 cups (300 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 8 large egg whites
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
3x
- 1 1/2 cups (345 g) unsalted butter
- 3 cups (300 g) almond meal or almond flour
- 4 1/2 cups (450 g) powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 12 large egg whites
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Start by preparing your brown butter. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until the butter turns golden brown and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a bowl, sift together the almond meal, powdered sugar, and all-purpose flour.
- In another larger bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the egg whites. Stir in the slightly cooled brown butter and vanilla extract.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour your financier molds or mini muffin tins. Fill each mold about ¾ full with the batter. Sprinkle some sliced almonds on top if desired.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let them cool in the molds for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 140 per serving
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 17mg
Sodium: 15mg
Potassium: 45mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 10g
Vitamin A: 160 IU
Calcium: 20 mg
Iron: 0.3 mg
More Cookies
If you’re craving more bite-sized delights, try these cookie recipes:
- French Macarons: Delicate and colorful, these French classics are made with almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, filled with a luscious ganache or buttercream.
- Amaretti: These Italian almond cookies are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, perfect with a cup of espresso.
- Thumbprint Cookies: Buttery cookies with a jam-filled center, ideal for holidays or any time you need a sweet treat.
Summary of main points
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| What are financier cakes? | French financiers are small almond cakes known for their nutty, buttery flavor and crisp exterior. |
| 4 reasons to try the French financier recipe | Financiers are simple to make with versatile ingredients, quick to prepare, and elegant in flavor and presentation. |
| Ingredients for French financiers | Key ingredients include unsalted butter, almond meal, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, egg whites, vanilla extract, and salt. |
| Why is brown butter important to financiers? | Brown butter adds a deep, nutty flavor and golden color, which enhances the taste and texture of financiers. |
| How to make financiers? | Prepare brown butter, mix with sifted dry ingredients and frothy egg whites, fill molds, and bake until golden brown. |
| FAQs | Common questions include ingredient substitutes, shelf-life of financiers, and mold requirements. |
| A few flavor variations for French financiers | Try variations like lemon zest, chocolate chips, or adding raspberries for different flavors. |
| More cake recipes that you can eat like cookies | Other similar recipes include Madeleines, Friands, and Mini Bundt Cakes. |
