French Financiers
These French Financiers are classic almond-butter cakes with crisp edges, a tender center, and rich nutty flavor from brown butter. Elegant yet simple to make, they’re a bakery-style French dessert perfect with coffee or tea—and ideal for make-ahead baking.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large egg whites room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter a financier mold or mini muffin pan and lightly dust with flour.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Continue cooking until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk powdered sugar, almond flour, all-purpose flour, and salt.
- Stir in egg whites until just combined (do not whip).
- Add vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and browned butter. Mix gently until smooth.
- Spoon batter into molds, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until edges are golden and tops spring back lightly.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Brown butter is essential for authentic financier flavor—don’t skip it.
- Financiers taste excellent warm but are just as good fully cooled.
- Use a mini muffin pan if you don’t have a financier mold.