If you’re not familiar with financiers, the small tea cakes remind me of sponge cakes or madeleines. Characterized by the use of nutty brown butter, egg whites act as the only source of leavening. The edges of each cake are slightly crisp while the center remains incredibly tender. French pastry chefs traditionally bake financiers in mini rectangular molds (to mimic the shape of gold bars), however you can use any kind of mold – I used mini muffin tins.
Made with almond meal, these mini chocolate-dipped financiers happen to be gluten-free, making them a lovely treat for those with gluten sensitivity. A dip in melted chocolate gives each financier a touch of richness – I can attest that these are wonderful dipped in coffee!
Chocolate-Dipped Financiers
Adapted from Tartelette
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp almond meal
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
pinch of salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten until foamy
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 12-cup mini muffin pan with nonstick spray. Cook butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns clear, and then turns a deep brown, about 6 minutes. Pour browned butter into a glass measuring cup; cool slightly.
Combine almond meal, cocoa, salt, and powdered sugar in a large mixer bowl and mix on low until fully incorporated. Beat in the egg whites on low speed. Add brown butter and vanilla; beat for 30 seconds. Fill each cup about 2/3 full of batter. Bake for 12 minutes, until firm in the center. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place chopped chocolate in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally until glossy and smooth.
Dip each financier in chocolate, then place on baking sheet; chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set chocolate. Store at room temperature in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Yield – 20 financiers (serving size: 1 financier)
Calories – 110
Carbs – 6
Nutty brown butter and chocolate – I am sold. These are stunning, Laura!
Mmmm, delicious little bites!
Have a nice weekend ;-)
Thank you for the education on these beautiful little financiers, Laura! They sound absolutely lovely!
I’ll take anything that’s dipped in chocolate! They look lovely!
You so fancy :) I love these!
Oh, you are teasing my chocolate craving right now! I think I’ll have to give in! Have a fantastic weekend!!
the perfect afternoon pick me up. These look lovely!
I love financiers, but I’ve never seen them dipped in chocolate. This is a great idea–yours look fabulous.
Financiers have been on my to-bake list for too long…I didn’t know they could be made in a mini-muffin pan!! Yours look dreamy, love the almond meal. :)
Financiers are no.1 on my fave French pastry list! I can rave about these tiny nuggets of deliciousness all day long! They are refined, irresistible, and oh-so-yummy! And to make them chocolate dipped? Brilliant!
beautifully done!
Ultra chocolate deliciousness! These look amazing, Laura…I never made nor eaten a financier, but they’re now on my baking list :)
They look too good to be touched! Oh who am I kidding – I’d love to eat all of them! I love financiers! And they are GF…that means no calories. ;-)
A chocolate Financier and dipped in chocolate, oh my! What an fabulous treat for those chocolate cravings that seem to appear out of nowhere!
I have never heard of these before, but now I really want one. They sound so light and rich.
Oh I’m familiar with these! Unfortunately, lol. I never did meet a cookie I didn’t like. Love the chocolate on chocolate. Hope you have a great weekend.
-Gina-
Oh I would love one of these dipped in my coffee!!! Beautiful financiers-very special;-) Have a wonderful weekend;-)
These look so tasty and I especially love the little individual bites! I want a couple of those with my breakfast this morning!
I have some almond meal that needs to be used–perfect timing for these lovely financiers. Pretty, pretty little things…I bet very easy to eat, too. :)
I have never heard of Financiers, but they look lovely! I love little individual desserts! Hugs, Terra
Never heard of these but it’s so nice to be introduced, they look wonderful as do these photos, very enticing Laura!
I don’t think I’ve ever had financiers but I do love madeleines so I’m sure I would instantly fall in love with these!
What a lovely treat, Laura! Can’t go wrong with brown butter and chocolate :)
I’d love a couple right now! The look amazing Laura. Thanks for sharing. :)
I love they are gluten-free. And thanks for the story behind financiers.
Looks like a lovely chocolaty treat that I could really enjoy.
Oh my! There you go again tempting me with your gorgeous treats! I could really enjoy those bites of chocolate!
Laura, I love how you dipped these in chocolate! Because of course that makes them even more heavenly! :D
I love making financier, but yet to make chocolate ones, your’s a re so pretty!
Yum, Laura! I’ve only made coconut ones but these would be perfect for a tea party.
love the fact that the financiers are crisp at the sides and soft in the center… would love to try these
oooooh Laura! I am in love with these little beauties!
A wonderful teatime treat! Those Financiers must taste really good.
Cheers,
Rosa
i so love the idea of dipping these into coffee, for breakfast… and then savoring them for an afternoon snack with a cup of tea.
Oh my word! I could eat them by the handful!
This is exactly the kind of sweet little pick-me-up I could use right now! They sound so wonderful, especially when they’re dipped in chocolate! :)
These little treats remind me of summer trips spend in France where my dad used to work. How I miss those carefree days.
Beautiful and delicious treats Laura
Laura – these are wonderful! Oh how I want to make them now, or at least eat one. Too bad I could not pluck one from the computer screen. Delish!!
Love financiers even more now, dipped in chocolate :)
What a wonderfully simple recipe yet so elegant!
I think I’ve never tried financiers before. I love madeleines and you said it’s similar? I always want to try making madeleines but don’t pay close attention to the details of recipe so I’m not sure how different/similar it is between two. But it sounds very easy to make! I don’t have madeleine pan yet so this might be an alternative!
I always have egg whites in my freezer (from ice cream production) so financiers are something I bake frequently. These look great! I have never made financiers with icing.