Description
Peach Financiers are elegant French almond cakes known for their moist, buttery texture and delicate flavor. These bite-sized treats feature browned butter and almond meal for a rich, nutty taste, topped with juicy pieces of peeled peach for a fresh, fruity contrast. Perfect for serving as sophisticated tea-time desserts or charming party treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Financier 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 Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Generously butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin and add a pinch of flour to each cup, then shake to evenly coat the bottoms and sides to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Butter: Melt 3 ounces of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The butter will begin to foam. Continuously stir or swirl the pan to avoid burning, and cook until the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma, approximately 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 egg whites and ½ cup white sugar vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick and foamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add ½ cup almond meal, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ⅛ teaspoon salt to the egg white mixture. Gently whisk to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Browned Butter: Slowly whisk the warm browned butter into the batter until fully integrated and smooth.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup nearly to the top. Gently tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles and ensure an even surface.
- Bake Initial Phase: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes.
- Add Peach Topping: Remove the tin from the oven and carefully place one small peeled peach piece on top of each financier.
- Continue Baking: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the financiers are nicely browned and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the financiers to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before gently removing them. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the butter when browning; it should be golden and nutty, not dark brown or black.
- Using fresh, ripe peaches enhances the flavor, but you can substitute with other stone fruits like nectarines if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Ensure egg whites and sugar are well whisked to incorporate air and achieve the proper texture.
- Financiers are best eaten within two days but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
