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Here is a recipe for an easy Financier cake that combines a light and crispy Financier base with seasonal apples and crunchy nuts!
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Apple cake with easy financier dough
When my daughter was attending school in France, she brought back a recipe calendar. It featured simple French dishes and pastries, and one particular cake made with pears and pistachios caught my attention. I was amazed to find such a delicious recipe in an unexpected place!
The cake had a batter made with only egg whites, generous amounts of almond flour, and butter. It was incredibly easy to make—all you had to do was mix everything together. Upon reflection, I realized it was a simplified version of a Financier batter. I remembered that making Financiers required quite a few specific techniques, so I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of this cake's base.
For this recipe, I've used a simple Financier batter as a base and topped it with apples and nuts. I've added baking powder to the Financier batter to achieve a texture somewhere between a Financier and a pound cake.
Ingredients
- Egg Whites - This recipe is perfect for using up leftover egg whites. You can thaw and use frozen egg whites as well.
- Granulated sugar - You can also use brown sugar or other alternatives.
- Almond powder
- Cake flour
- Baking powder - While traditional Financiers may not include baking powder, I've added it in this recipe to achieve a texture similar to a pound cake.
- Unsalted butter (melted) - Regular melted butter works well, but you can also try using browned butter for added flavor.
- Apples - I initially used a variety called Royal Gala, but the skin turned brown when baked. Then I tried using Pink Lady apples, and the skin remained red even after baking. When using apples in desserts, it's common to peel the skin, but using Pink Lady apples preserves the beautiful color.
- Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc) - You can use any nuts that are readily available or already in your pantry. If using whole nuts, chop them to a size that retains some texture. You can also decorate the cake with sliced almonds as they are.
Instructions
Preparations
- Melt the butter in the microwave or using a double boiler, and let it cool to room temperature
- Prepare the baking pan by greasing it with butter or using cooking spray, then dust it with flour. (Alternatively, you can line the pan with parchment paper.)
- Cut the nuts into larger pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) before baking.
Financier Batter
In a bowl, add the egg whites and granulated sugar. Mix them together until the sugar is dissolved. No need to whisk or beat vigorously.
Sift the almond powder, Cake flour, and baking powder into the bowl. Mix them together until well combined. If the almond powder is difficult to sift, you can lightly break up any lumps with your hands before adding it directly to the mixture.
Gradually add the melted butter to the mixture, stirring after each addition. Mix until the butter is fully incorporated and the batter becomes smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
After washing the apples, cut them vertically into thirds, avoiding the portion with the seeds. Cut both sides of the section containing the core as well.
Cut lengthwise into thin slices.
Place the sliced apples on top of the batter, alternating them in a vertical and horizontal pattern. Sprinkle the nuts around the apples.
Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for about 35 minutes.
Storage
Storage at room temperature is recommended for 2-3 days.
Freshly baked Financier Cake has a crispy surface and a fluffy interior. As time passes, it becomes moist and tender. Both are tasty, so it is your choice!
Equipment
I used 20cm / 8-inch round mold
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Moist & crunchy! Apple and Nut Financier Cake
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (20cm / 8-inch round mould) 1x
Description
Here is a recipe for an easy Financier cake that combines a light and crispy Financier base with seasonal apples and crunchy nuts!
Ingredients
Financier batter
- 100 g egg whites (about the strength of 3 eggs)
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 60 g almond powder
- 40 g cake flour
- ½ tbsp (6g) baking powder
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
Topping
- 1 apple
- 80 g nuts (e.g. almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts)
Instructions
preparations
- Melt the butter in the microwave or using a double boiler, and let it cool to room temperature
- Prepare the baking pan by greasing it with butter or using cooking spray, then dust it with flour. (Alternatively, you can line the pan with parchment paper.)
- Cut the nuts into larger pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) before baking.
Financier Batter
- In a bowl, add the egg whites and granulated sugar. Mix them together until the sugar is dissolved. No need to whisk or beat vigorously.
- Sift the almond powder, Cake flour, and baking powder into the bowl. Mix them together until well combined. If the almond powder is difficult to sift, you can lightly break up any lumps with your hands before adding it directly to the mixture.
- Gradually add the melted butter to the mixture, stirring after each addition. Mix until the butter is fully incorporated and the batter becomes smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- After washing the apples, cut them vertically into thirds, avoiding the portion with the seeds. Cut both sides of the section containing the core as well.
- Cut lengthwise into thin slices.
- Place the sliced apples on top of the batter, alternating them in a vertical and horizontal pattern. Sprinkle the nuts around the apples.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for about 35 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Additional Time: 0 hours
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Cuisine: french
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 87
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 27
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