Description
Peach Financiers are elegant, small French almond cakes featuring a rich browned butter flavor and a tender crumb, topped with juicy pieces of fresh peach. These delightful bite-sized cakes are perfect for an afternoon treat or a sophisticated dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Financiers
- 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
For Topping
- 12 small pieces of peeled peach
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin and dust each cup lightly with flour, shaking out the excess. This prevents the financiers from sticking and ensures easy removal.
- Brown the Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. As it melts, the butter will start to foam. Continuously swirl or stir the pan to prevent burning. Continue cooking until the butter turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma, which takes about 4 minutes. Immediately remove from heat to stop cooking.
- Whisk Egg Whites and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and white sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes thick and foamy; this should take 2 to 3 minutes and helps incorporate air for a light texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Butter: Stir in the almond meal, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt into the egg white mixture. Then whisk in the browned butter thoroughly to create a smooth batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared mini-muffin cups, filling them almost to the top. Gently tap the pan on the counter to remove any trapped air bubbles for even baking.
- Bake Initial Phase: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. This initial baking helps set the batter slightly before adding the peaches.
- Add Peach Topping and Continue Baking: Remove the pan from the oven, and place one small piece of peeled peach atop each financier. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes or 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 before carefully removing them. This resting period allows the cakes to firm up and prevents them from breaking apart.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, use ripe, fragrant peaches or substitute with nectarines.
- Be careful not to overbrown the butter; it should be golden with a nutty aroma, not burnt.
- Ensure muffin tins are well greased and floured to avoid sticking.
- Egg whites should be at room temperature for better aeration.
- Financiers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
