Description
Peach Financiers are elegant, bite-sized French almond cakes featuring a tender, buttery crumb and a delicate hint of browned butter, topped with juicy pieces of peeled peach. Perfect for a refined dessert or a sophisticated snack, these small cakes are quick to prepare and bake in just 30 minutes total.
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
Finishing
- 12 small pieces of peeled peach
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin tin: Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Generously butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin, then add a pinch of flour to each cup and shake to evenly coat the bottoms and sides. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of the financiers.
- Brown the butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent burning as the butter foams. Continue cooking until the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to avoid burning.
- Whisk egg whites and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites and white sugar together until the sugar dissolves and the whites become thick and foamy, roughly 2 to 3 minutes. This aerates the batter for a light texture.
- Combine dry ingredients: Mix the almond meal, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and salt into the egg white mixture. Whisk thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add browned butter: Gradually whisk the browned butter into the batter to enrich it with flavor and moisture, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Fill muffin cups: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling almost to the top. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles for an even bake.
- Initial bake: Bake the financiers for 5 minutes to set the edges.
- Add peach pieces: Remove the pan from the oven and carefully top each financier with a peeled piece of peach. Return the pan to the oven immediately.
- Continue baking: Bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the financiers are browned and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before gently removing them. Serve at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Peeling the peaches ensures a smooth texture and appearance.
- Use room temperature egg whites for better foaming.
- Browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that is characteristic of traditional financiers.
- The batter can be made ahead and refrigerated briefly, but bake fresh for the best rise and texture.
- If mini-muffin tins are unavailable, use standard muffin cups and increase baking time accordingly.
