The Financier is a classic French dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is a light, airy cake made with almond flour, butter, and eggs. The dessert’s name comes from its shape, which resembles a small bar of gold.
Brief History and Origin
The origin of the Financier can be traced back to the 19th century when a pastry chef named Lasne created it as a homage to wealthy financiers. He wanted to create something that resembled a “bar of gold”, so he used almond flour instead of wheat flour, butter instead of oil, and eggs instead of milk or cream to make his creation light and airy. This combination gave the cake its signature texture and flavour.
The Financier quickly became popular among wealthy financiers looking for something light after meals. Soon it spread throughout France and eventually around the world. Today, it is one of the most beloved desserts in France, often served alongside coffee or tea at cafes or restaurants.
Financier – The Recipe
- Preparation Time: 20 mins
- Cooking Time: 35 mins
- Total time: 55 mins
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 200g butter
- 200g white caster sugar
- 100g all-purpose flour
- Pinch of cinnamon, ground
- 100g almonds, ground
- 6 egg whites
- 100g white chocolate chunks
- 150g raspberries
- icing sugar for dusting
- 227g tub of clotted cream, to serve
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add butter and heat until foam appears on the surface. Keep heating until the yellow colour turns to a nutty brown. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl; leave until cool.
- Prepare oven and preheat to 160 degrees C. Also, prepare a 20 x 25 cm baking tin by greasing it with butter, then line it with parchment paper.
- Mix well in a separate bowl; add cinnamon, almonds, flour and sugar. In another bowl, add egg whites and beat using an electric mixer until soft peaks appear.
- Transfer the beaten egg whites to the flour mixture using a large spoon. Then gradually add brown butter while keep folding until everything combines very well.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared tin and spread over chocolate and raspberries.
- Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm. Take out of the oven and allow to cool for some time.
- Then remove from tin, dust with icing sugar and slice into bars or squares. Serve with clotted cream, and enjoy!
Popular variations
Here are a few ways you can change this basic recipe to adjust it to your liking:
- Dark Chocolate Financier: Dark Chocolate Financiers are decadent little chocolate-flavored treats with nuttiness from the browned butter. They will satisfy the cravings of any chocolate lover.
- Matcha Cherry Financier: Matcha Cherry Financiers are mini matcha tea cakes that are moist and lightly sweetened with a cherry in the center. They are cute petit fours, perfect for afternoon tea, and are baked in a muffin tin.
- Strawberry Financier: These cakes are made with classic ingredients like almond flour, egg whites, sugar and beurre noisette (brown butter) Originally made without fruit. But with the addition of strawberries makes for a sweet and tart option and it is very delicious.
- Pistachio Financiers: These are extra-extra nutty Financiers because of almond flour, pistachios, and the browned butter. if you are a big fan of bold nutty flavors then this is for you. Indeed, it is delicious and perfect for teatime.
- Blackberry Financiers: Again, classic financiers are made with flavors of blackberry. The batter has the fresh blackberry in it that is baked into little morsel of bursting juices of blackberry.
