Mastering Elegant Cranberry Hazelnut Financiers: An Easy Recipe for Exquisite French Mini Cakes
As sophisticated as these delightful hazelnut financiers appear, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly they come together, much like baking a batch of simple muffins. Prepare to introduce your guests to an extraordinary sweet treat that will have them raving and reaching for seconds.
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Certain ingredients possess an undeniable connection to specific seasons, and for many, the vibrant **cranberry** is synonymous with the festive holiday season. While these tart, bright red berries are versatile enough for year-round culinary adventures, they truly shine in holiday baking. It feels almost incomplete to embark on festive treat preparations without liberally incorporating their distinctive flavor into an array of desserts. The cranberry, with its unique tartness, offers a delightful contrast that expertly balances the sweetness in many recipes, performing a similar role to that of lemon. If you appreciate desserts that are not overly sweet, then the cranberry is an ingredient you’ll want to befriend.
Over the years, cranberries have graced my kitchen in countless forms, from beloved muffins and rich fudge to chewy blondies, classic cookies, and even whimsical marshmallows. Their zingy taste is precisely what elevates a dessert from merely good to truly unforgettable. This year, however, I decided to cast fresh cranberries in a starring role, pairing them with the rich, nutty notes of hazelnut in the form of delicate mini-cakes known as financiers. The result is a sophisticated yet approachable treat that promises to impress.
Financiers, with their elegant name and appearance, might suggest complexity, but their preparation is surprisingly simple – just as straightforward as whipping up a batch of muffins. The process is streamlined: gently combine your dry ingredients, fold in the egg whites, and finally, incorporate the luscious brown butter. A quick bake in the oven, and voilà! You’ll be rewarded with exquisite, sweet bites that effortlessly stand out from your usual holiday dessert spread. These cranberry hazelnut financiers offer a rich, buttery, and nutty flavor profile, perfectly complemented by the bright, tangy burst of fresh cranberries, making them a truly impressive and memorable addition to any table.
The Allure of Financiers: A French Classic
Originating in France, financiers are small French almond cakes, traditionally baked in small rectangular molds, giving them the appearance of a gold bar – hence their name, which refers to the financiers (bankers) of the financial district. Historically, these mini cakes were made with almond flour, egg whites, and beurre noisette (brown butter), ingredients often available in a busy pastry kitchen. Our recipe, however, takes a delightful detour by substituting almond flour with finely ground hazelnuts, introducing a deeper, more pronounced nutty flavor that pairs exquisitely with the tartness of cranberries. The use of brown butter remains a cornerstone, lending a caramel-like depth that is simply irresistible.
Why Hazelnut Financiers?
While traditional financiers rely on almond flour, the switch to hazelnut flour in this recipe adds a unique dimension. Hazelnuts contribute a richer, earthier, and more pronounced nutty flavor that complements the cranberries beautifully. The combination creates a harmonious balance of sweet, tart, and nutty notes, making these financiers a sophisticated alternative to the classic. Toasting the hazelnuts before grinding them further intensifies their flavor, ensuring every bite is packed with deliciousness.
Baking Tools: Choosing Your Mold
Traditionally, financiers are baked in specialty financier molds, which produce their characteristic rectangular shape. However, for home bakers, I find that a standard mini muffin pan works perfectly and offers several advantages. Not only does it save precious drawer space – a common dilemma for any kitchen enthusiast trying to fit yet another specialized baking pan – but it also simplifies the unmolding process significantly. Using mini muffin paper cups makes cleanup a breeze and ensures each financier retains its perfect form.
When it comes to paper cups, my personal preference leans heavily towards those crafted from parchment paper material. While they might appear less decorative than some other options, their superior non-stick quality is unmatched. They practically peel themselves away from the financiers, ensuring that every precious crumb of these delightful mini cakes ends up where it belongs: in your belly, rather than stubbornly clinging to the wrapper. This small detail truly enhances the enjoyment of these already wonderful treats.
VIDEO: The Essential Technique – How to Make Brown Butter (Beurre Noisette)
One of the secret weapons behind the incredible flavor of financiers is brown butter, also known as beurre noisette. This simple technique transforms ordinary butter into a rich, nutty, and aromatic ingredient that adds unparalleled depth to both sweet and savory dishes. It’s an easier process than you might imagine and truly brings a world of flavor to your dishes.
The intoxicating nutty aroma that rises from simmering butter is a delightful preview of how brown butter can elevate a dish from good to extraordinary. This classic French technique, where butter is gently cooked until its milk solids caramelize and turn golden brown, is called beurre noisette—literally “hazelnut butter” because of its color and nutty scent. While traditionally used in savory applications like vegetable and fish dishes, it has found its way into an array of recipes, from humble fried eggs to elegant financiers. Learning to make brown butter is a simple skill that every home cook should master, as it’s guaranteed to take your baking and cooking to the next level. Watch the video above for a step-by-step guide to this easy yet transformative process.
Before diving into the recipe, here are a few tips to ensure your cranberry hazelnut financiers turn out perfectly:
- Quality Ingredients: Since the ingredient list is short, the quality of your butter, hazelnuts, and cranberries will truly shine through. Use fresh, high-quality butter and vibrant cranberries for the best flavor.
- Toasted Hazelnuts: Toasting hazelnuts before grinding them intensifies their flavor and aroma. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes, then rub them in a clean towel to remove skins before grinding.
- Don’t Overmix: As with most baking, especially when using flour, avoid overmixing the batter once the dry and wet ingredients are combined. Mix just until everything is incorporated to ensure a tender crumb.
- Resting the Batter: While the recipe doesn’t strictly require it, letting the financier batter rest in the fridge for an hour (or even overnight) can deepen the flavors and result in a slightly chewier texture. The flavors meld beautifully.
Pin Recipe
Fresh Cranberry and Hazelnut Financiers Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (125 ml – see note)
- 1 cup finely ground, toasted hazelnuts (250 ml – to measure the nuts, lightly spoon them into the cup—do not pack)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (125 ml)
- ½ cup cane sugar, or regular granulated sugar (125 ml)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed (125 ml)
- ½ tsp baking powder (2 ml)
- 4 egg whites (you can use boxed egg whites)
- 36 fresh whole cranberries
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the cups of a mini muffin pan with paper cups (parchment paper ones are highly recommended for easy removal) and set the prepared pan aside.
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To prepare the brown butter (beurre noisette): Melt the unsalted butter in a small stainless steel pot over medium heat. Once completely melted and simmering, continue to cook over medium-low heat. Swirl the pot occasionally to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the butter; if vigorous bubbling obscures your view of the milk solids browning at the bottom, lift the pot off the heat for a few seconds until the bubbles subside, then return it to the heat.
The butter is perfectly browned when the milk solids at the bottom of the pot transform into a light golden-brown color and the entire mixture emits a wonderfully delicious, nutty aroma. As soon as you reach this stage, promptly remove the butter from the heat, pour it into a small, heat-proof bowl, and allow it to cool for approximately 10 minutes. For a visual guide to this simple technique, you can watch my short video here.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely ground hazelnuts with the all-purpose flour, both cane sugar and brown sugar, and baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. Next, add the egg whites to the mixture and whisk until they are fully incorporated, and the batter becomes thick and somewhat sticky. Finally, gently whisk in the cooled brown butter. At this stage, the financier dough can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, allowing the flavors to deepen.
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When you are ready to bake the financiers, spoon about a tablespoonful of the prepared dough into each cup of your mini muffin pan. Carefully press one fresh whole cranberry into the center of each financier. Bake for approximately 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning, until the edges of the financiers are a beautiful golden brown. Let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
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Financiers are undeniably at their absolute best when enjoyed fresh from the oven, still slightly warm. However, if you have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
Did you make this?
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Serving Suggestions & Variations
These Cranberry Hazelnut Financiers are exquisite on their own, but they can be elevated with simple accompaniments. Serve them as an elegant dessert with a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of crème fraîche, or alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. They also make a perfect accompaniment to a morning coffee or an afternoon tea, adding a touch of French sophistication to any occasion. For a festive touch, consider a light orange zest glaze or a sprinkle of chopped pistachios after baking.
Should you wish to experiment, here are a few ideas for variations:
- Other Berries: Substitute cranberries with raspberries, blueberries, or chopped cherries for a different fruit profile. Adjust sweetness slightly if using sweeter berries.
- Nutty Alternatives: While hazelnut is fantastic, feel free to try traditional almond flour or even finely ground pistachios for a vibrant green financier.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate over the cooled financiers can add another layer of indulgence.
- Citrus Zest: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the batter for an added bright aroma that complements the cranberries.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these cranberry hazelnut financiers are a testament to the fact that elegant baking doesn’t have to be complicated. Their delicate texture, rich nutty flavor from the brown butter and hazelnuts, and the refreshing burst of tart cranberries create a truly memorable experience. They are perfect for holiday gatherings, special occasions, or simply as a delightful treat to brighten your day. Embrace the ease and sophistication of French patisserie right in your own kitchen!
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