Classic French Financier Recipe

The financier is one of France's most beloved petit fours — a small, rectangular almond cake with a crisp exterior and a tender, moist crumb. Despite its elegance, it is surprisingly simple to make at home.

Ingredients

For 12 financiers: 120g unsalted butter, 100g icing sugar, 60g almond flour, 40g plain flour, 3 egg whites (room temperature), 1 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt.

Making the Beurre Noisette

The soul of a financier lies in its beurre noisette — browned butter. Melt the butter in a light-coloured saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally. Cook until the milk solids turn a deep amber and you smell a rich, nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately and strain through a fine sieve. Allow to cool slightly.

Mixing and Baking

Whisk together icing sugar, almond flour, plain flour, and salt. Add the egg whites and vanilla, stirring until smooth — do not over-mix. Fold in the warm beurre noisette. Rest the batter in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Butter your financier moulds, fill to three-quarters, and bake for 12–14 minutes until deep golden on top.

Patience is the key — resting the batter overnight in the fridge develops a deeper flavour and a better rise.