Description
Peach Financiers are elegant French almond cakes known for their moist, buttery texture and delicate almond flavor. These small, bite-sized cakes are topped with juicy peach pieces, providing a fresh and fruity twist. Perfect for tea time or as a light dessert, this recipe combines browned butter, almond meal, and fresh peaches to create a delightful treat that’s both simple to make and impressively delicious.
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
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Generously butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin and lightly dust each cup with flour by adding a pinch and shaking to coat the bottoms. This prevents sticking and helps the financiers release easily after baking.
- Brown the Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the 3 ounces of unsalted butter. Keep the pan moving to prevent burning as the butter foams and gently toasts. Continue cooking until the butter becomes golden brown and develops a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the 3 egg whites and ½ cup white sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns thick and foamy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes and helps incorporate air for a light texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Flavoring: Add the 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 uniformly.
- Add Browned Butter: Slowly whisk the browned butter into the batter mixture until fully incorporated. This adds richness and enhances the almond flavor.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Pour the batter into the prepared mini-muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to eliminate any air bubbles for an even crumb.
- Initial Bake: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes to set the batter slightly.
- Add Peach Topping and Continue Baking: Remove the pan from the oven and gently place a small peeled piece of peach on top of each financier. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, until the cakes are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the financiers to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. This resting period allows them to firm up, making them easier to remove. Once cooled, carefully remove from the pan and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature egg whites for better volume when whisking.
- Browned butter adds a deep nutty flavor, so do not skip or rush this step.
- Peach pieces should be peeled to avoid any bitter skin texture on the cakes.
- Mini muffin tins are perfect size; if using a larger pan, adjust baking time accordingly.
- Store financiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for best freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
