Golden Financiers: Two Ways – Cheese Pumpkin Seed & Mocha Crunch
Golden Financiers: Two Ways – Cheese Pumpkin Seed & Mocha Crunch
Baking Beautiful Financiers: My Take on Cheese Pumpkin Seed & Mocha Crunch Varieties!
Experience the ultimate in moist texture with these financiers, made by browning butter to a rich hazelnut aroma! Today, I’ve put my own creative spin on things, crafting financiers with savory cheese and pumpkin seeds, and another version with a delightful mocha crunch using rice croquant. Let’s bake these golden beauties together – a truly special treat!
Ingredients for Cheese Pumpkin Seed Financiers (makes 4)- Cheddar cheese, finely diced (about 1/2 cube)
- Pumpkin seeds, a generous amount
- Butter, 45g
- Egg whites, 50g
- Granulated sugar, 35g
- Corn syrup or simple syrup, 15g
- Cake flour, 25g
- Almond flour, 35g
- Vanilla extract, a few drops
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s get started by gathering all the ingredients needed to create two delicious varieties of financiers: the Cheese Pumpkin Seed and the Mocha Crunch. This recipe yields approximately 4 financiers of each type, for a total of 8 delightful treats.
Step 2
The secret to the rich flavor of financiers lies in browning the butter. Place 45g of butter in a small frying pan over very low heat and let it melt slowly. It’s important to keep the heat gentle to avoid burning.
Step 3
Once the butter is completely melted and starts to bubble, continue to cook it for about 3 minutes. You’ll notice it turning a lovely brown color and developing a nutty, hazelnut-like aroma. This is your browned butter, or ‘beurre noisette’!
Step 4
As soon as the butter reaches a beautiful brown hue, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Overcooking will lead to a burnt flavor, so keep a close eye on it.
Step 5
Strain the browned butter through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any solids. Let it cool completely. While it’s cooling, you can prepare the financier batter to save time.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the financier batter. In a mixing bowl, combine 50g of egg whites, 35g of granulated sugar, and 15g of corn syrup or simple syrup. I’m using agave syrup for a touch of sweetness. Add a few drops of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
Step 7
Using a spatula, gently mix the ingredients together, being careful not to whip too much air into the mixture. We want a smooth batter without excessive foam, as this can affect the final texture.
Step 8
Sift 25g of cake flour and 35g of almond flour into the bowl. Gently fold them into the wet ingredients with your spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Step 9
Pour the cooled browned butter into the batter and mix thoroughly. It’s crucial to add only the clear, liquid butter and leave behind any milk solids that may have settled at the bottom to ensure a clean taste.
Step 10
After incorporating the browned butter, the batter will thicken to a slightly dense consistency. This is the perfect texture for financiers.
Step 11
Transfer the Cheese Pumpkin Seed financier batter into a piping bag. Seal the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the batter makes it easier to handle and helps the financiers hold their shape beautifully when baked.
Step 12
While the first batch of batter is chilling, let’s prepare the Mocha Crunch financiers. Dissolve 7g of instant coffee powder in a tiny amount of hot water, stirring until completely smooth.
Step 13
Let this coffee mixture cool down completely. It’s vital that it’s cold before adding it to the batter, otherwise, it could cook the egg whites.
Step 14
The process for making the Mocha Crunch financiers is identical to the Cheese Pumpkin Seed ones. The only difference is that we’re using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a richer, caramel-like flavor.
Step 15
Mix in the browned butter as before. Then, gently fold in the cooled coffee mixture and a generous amount of rice croquant. Be careful not to crush the croquant too much; we want those delightful crunchy bits!
Step 16
And there you have it – the Mocha Crunch financier batter! The aroma of coffee is simply wonderful.
Step 17
Spoon the Mocha Crunch batter into another piping bag, seal it, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, just like the first batch. About 30 minutes before taking the batter out, preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). We’ll bake them at 180°C (350°F) for 12 minutes.
Step 18
After an hour in the refrigerator, take out both chilled batters. Pipe them into your financier molds, filling each cavity about one-third full. Aim for an even distribution to get beautiful shapes.
Step 19
For the Cheese Pumpkin Seed financiers, top the piped batter with the diced cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds. This combination promises a delightful savory and nutty experience.
Step 20
Generously sprinkle the rice croquant over the Mocha Crunch financier batter. This will add a fantastic crunch! Once prepared, place them in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for 12 minutes.
Step 21
Voila! Your golden-brown Cheese Pumpkin Seed financiers and aromatic Mocha Crunch financiers are ready! They boast a slightly crisp exterior and a wonderfully moist interior.
Step 22
I’m so thrilled with how beautifully these financiers turned out, especially since it’s my first time making them! They look absolutely stunning, like edible gold.
Step 23
The Cheese Pumpkin Seed financiers, adorned with cheddar cheese and pumpkin seeds, look incredibly cute and charming. They are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Step 24
Here’s an overhead shot of the financiers. No matter how you look at them, they are perfectly baked and incredibly appetizing. Pure bliss!
Step 25
A different perspective on the same photo! The Cheese Pumpkin Seed financiers are a true delight, with the salty tang of the cheese perfectly complementing the nutty flavor of the pumpkin seeds.
Step 26
The Mocha Crunch financiers offer a rich coffee flavor and a wonderfully satisfying crunch from the rice croquant. If you love coffee, these are definitely for you!
Step 27
A close-up view reveals the perfect texture of the financiers: slightly crisp on the outside, with a wonderfully tender and chewy interior. This delightful contrast is the hallmark of a great financier.
Step 28
Looking at these financiers lined up so perfectly is truly heartwarming. I encourage you all to experiment with different ingredients and create your own unique, personalized financiers!
