Description
Peach Financiers are elegant and moist French almond cakes characterized by their delicate texture and subtle nutty flavor. Made with browned butter and almond flour, these small cakes are topped with thinly sliced ripe peaches, adding a fresh fruity touch that’s perfect for afternoon tea or a light dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 large egg whites
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- â…” cup almond flour
- â…” cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Toppings
- 1 ripe peach, thinly sliced
- Optional: sliced almonds or powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and molds: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or a financier mold thoroughly with butter or nonstick spray to ensure the cakes come out easily after baking.
- Bake the browned butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Continue to cook it until it turns a golden brown color and emits a nutty aroma, which should take about 5 minutes. This step adds a rich, deep flavor to the financiers. Remove from heat and let the butter cool slightly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt until well combined and lump-free.
- Beat the egg whites: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg whites until they become foamy but not stiff. This helps incorporate air and lightens the batter texture.
- Combine batter: Gently fold the foamy egg whites and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Then slowly drizzle in the cooled browned butter while stirring continuously until the batter becomes smooth and homogenous.
- Fill molds: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared molds or muffin tin, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Add peach slices: Place a thin slice of ripe peach on top of each cake, pressing lightly to set.
- Bake the cakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes. The financiers are ready when their edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they set properly and maintain their delicate texture.
Notes
- Financiers are best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness and texture but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a creative variation, try using nectarines or plums as toppings instead of peaches.
- Dusting the finished cakes with powdered sugar before serving adds an elegant finishing touch.
