Description
Peach Financiers are elegant, small French almond cakes featuring a delicate nutty flavor enhanced by brown butter and topped with fresh peach pieces. These mini cakes are moist, buttery, and perfect for a refined dessert or afternoon treat.
Ingredients
For the Financiers
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing the pan
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup almond meal
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting the pan
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Topping
- 12 small pieces of peeled peach
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter a 12-cup mini muffin tin and dust each cup with a pinch of flour, shaking out the excess to ensure an even coating.
- Brown the butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning as the butter foams and begins to turn golden brown, which takes about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from heat once browned.
- Whisk egg whites and sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and white sugar vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, foamy, and the sugar has dissolved.
- Combine dry ingredients and flavorings: To the egg white mixture, add the almond meal, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk gently to combine.
- Incorporate the browned butter: Slowly whisk the browned butter into the batter until it is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Fill the muffin cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups nearly to the top. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
- Initial baking: Bake the financiers in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
- Add the peaches: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and place one small peeled peach piece on top of each financier.
- Final baking: Return the pan to the oven and continue baking the financiers for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Cooling: Allow the financiers to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes prior to removing to cool completely or serve.
Notes
- To peel peaches easily, blanch them briefly in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunge into ice water.
- Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor; be careful not to burn it by constantly stirring.
- Use room temperature egg whites for easier whisking and better volume.
- You can substitute the peach topping with other fruits like berries or sliced apricots if preferred.
- Financiers are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
