Hazelnut Praline Financier

Financier or often referred to as "Friands" are small little cakes made up of 'hazelnut' butter, almond meal, sugar and egg whites. The distinct flavour quality of financier comes from the preparation of browning the butter before adding it with the rest of the ingredients. As butter starts to brown, it releases an aroma that resembles hazelnut, hence the reference of hazelnut butter or "Beurre Noisette" in French.

In the modern preparation of Financier, almond meal are also often interchanged with other nut meal and they can range from pecan, hazelnut, cashews, pistachios and anything that you really desire.

In the case of this post, I will be sharing with you my go to hazelnut Financier filled with hazelnut paste.

METHOD

1. Pre heat oven to 175C.

Place the butter into a saucepan over medium heat and heat the butter until it starts to turn light golden in color. Set aside to cool.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the hazelnut meal, icing sugar and flour together then add in the egg whites and whisk gently until well incorporated and there are no lumps or flour nor sugar.

3. Add in the cooled beurre noisette and whisk to combine.

4. Transfer the mixture into a piping bag and pipe into a silicone mould 90% of the way.

5. Bake in the pre heated oven for 12 - 15 minutes or when you gently touch the cake, they bounces back.

6. Remove the silicone mould from the oven and leave to cool slightly before removing the financer to cool onto a wire rack.

7. Fill the cavities with hazelnut praline paste or alternatively you can use Nutella.

8. Decorated with toasted hazelnuts.