Peach Financiers – Because French Bankers Hate Dirty Money
There are many different techniques used for making financiers, but as usual, I've chosen the easiest one. I would have been happy to try those other more complicated versions, but fortunately, I enjoyed this one so much, there's no need.
I mention in the video that these are called "financiers" because they're rich, and look like gold bars (if you use the traditional rectangular molds). Well, apparently that's not quite right.
Word on the "rue" is that there was a bakery next to the Paris stock exchange that made these small almond cakes so bankers could enjoy them on the way to work, without getting their fingers dirty. I assume this is accurate, since I read it in the YouTube comments.
Anyway, not only is this an easy recipe, but it works beautifully with pretty much any summer fruit. Berries are popular, as are other stone fruits. Just don't use too much. It's merely a garnish, and adding too much could effect the texture and cooking time. I hope you give these delicious peach financiers a try soon. Enjoy!
Ingredients for 12 small cakes:
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond meal (or finely ground almonds)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 oz unsalted butter (6 tablespoons), toasted to a golden-brown
- 12 small sliced of peach
- - I used mini-muffin pans, so you'll have to adjust your time if you used regular muffin tins, or other molds.
- - Bake for 5 minutes at 400 F., then top with fruit, and continue baking until browned, about 10-12 minutes.