Golden Pecan Financiers: A Delectable Home-Baked Treat
Golden Pecan Financiers: A Delectable Home-Baked Treat
Easy Pecan Financier Recipe | Perfect for Home Baking Beginners
Discover the delightful world of home baking with this recipe for Pecan Financiers, featuring a tempting crunchy pecan topping! These exquisite French butter cakes are known for their rich, nutty flavor and exquisite texture. We’ll guide you step-by-step to achieve a perfectly golden exterior and a moist, tender crumb, elevated by the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with these elegant treats!
Ingredients- Unsalted butter, 45g
- Fresh egg whites, 60g (approx. 2 large egg whites)
- Granulated sugar, 60g
- Honey, 8g
- High-quality almond flour, 35g
- Cake flour (or pastry flour), 25g
- Toasted pecan pieces (croquant), 50g
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a small saucepan, place the 45g of unsalted butter.
Step 2
Melt the butter over low to medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns a rich golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. This process creates browned butter, also known as ‘beurre noisette’. Immediately plunge the bottom of the saucepan into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and cool it down quickly. This deepens the flavor significantly.
Step 3
In a separate mixing bowl, measure out 60g of fresh egg whites (approximately 2 large egg whites).
Step 4
Using a whisk, gently beat the egg whites until they are just frothy and slightly broken down. Avoid over-whipping them to stiff peaks; we want a light, airy consistency, not meringue.
Step 5
To the lightly beaten egg whites, add 60g of granulated sugar and 8g of honey.
Step 6
Whisk the mixture until it becomes a homogenous, smooth liquid, and the sugar granules have completely dissolved. You should no longer hear or feel the grittiness of the sugar.
Step 7
Sift 35g of almond flour and 25g of cake flour directly into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Sifting the dry ingredients ensures a lump-free, tender batter.
Step 8
Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten and result in a tough texture.
Step 9
Pour the prepared browned butter (beurre noisette) into the batter.
Step 10
Continue to mix with the spatula until the butter is fully emulsified and the batter is smooth, glossy, and uniform. Ensure no streaks of butter remain separate from the batter.
Step 11
Lightly grease your financier molds with melted butter or non-stick baking spray. This step is crucial for easy demolding after baking.
Step 12
Transfer the batter into a piping bag. Do not rest the batter. Fill each financier mold about 70% full. Overfilling can cause the batter to overflow during baking.
Step 13
Generously sprinkle the finely chopped toasted pecan pieces (croquant) over the top of the batter in each mold. These will add a delightful crunch and extra nutty flavor.
Step 14
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 18 minutes, reducing the temperature to 180°C (350°F) after placing the molds in the oven. Baking time may vary depending on your oven. Bake until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
Step 15
Once removed from the oven, carefully transfer the hot financiers to a wire rack to cool completely. They will achieve their signature crisp exterior and chewy interior as they cool. Enjoy your homemade Pecan Financiers!
