Description
Peach Financiers are elegant, delicate French almond cakes featuring browned butter and a tender crumb. These small, buttery cakes are topped with juicy peach pieces, offering a perfect balance of nutty sweetness and fresh fruit. Ideal for a refined tea-time treat or dessert, they bake quickly to a golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 12 small pieces peeled peach
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Generously butter a 12-cup mini muffin tin and lightly dust each cup with flour to prevent sticking.
- Brown Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Move the pan frequently to avoid burning as the butter foams and browns, taking about 4 minutes. When the butter turns a golden brown shade and develops a nutty aroma, remove from heat.
- Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick and foamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Stir in the almond meal, flour, vanilla extract, and salt to the egg white mixture. Then whisk in the browned butter thoroughly to create a smooth batter.
- Fill Molds: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups almost to the top. Tap the pan gently to release any air bubbles and ensure an even texture.
- Initial Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to set the batter slightly.
- Add Peach Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the pan from the oven, place a small piece of peeled peach atop each financier, then return to the oven. Continue baking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before carefully removing. Serve warm or at room temperature for best results.
Notes
- Be careful not to burn the butter; it should be a rich golden brown with a nutty aroma.
- Using almond meal adds moistness and a delicate almond flavor characteristic of traditional financiers.
- Make sure to use peeled peaches to avoid any tough skin in the cake.
- The mini muffin pan size ensures the correct portion and quicker baking time.
- Financiers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
