Chocolate financiers are mini chocolate almond cakes, a twist on classic French financiers, perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, and a snack in between. Made in a mini muffin pan with melted butter (instead of laborious brown butter), they are easy, quick, and affordable.
After making traditional financiers and pistachio financiers, it is time to make a chocolate version of the famous French pastry - chocolate financiers (financiers au chocolat in French).
Plus, in summer, the cherry season brings vibrant colors and exciting baking ideas.
If you've never thought of making a kid's or adult cherry-themed birthday party, you should. Gather kids to make cute little cakes with a cherry on top.
Chocolate financiers recipe
- This simple, quick chocolate financier recipe will yield 24 delectable small cakes in 30 minutes.
- It is a perfect way to use leftover egg whites.
- The recipe is made in mini-muffin tins instead of special financier molds.
- Bite-sized financiers are perfect for picnicking, kids, or adult entertaining parties.
Ingredients
For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
- Almond flour is a must-have for financiers. You can also use coarser almond meal or ground almonds made with a food processor.
- Cocoa powder: Opt for an exceptionally fine and powerfully flavored unsweetened cocoa powder by Valrhona.
- Icing sugar: Use a coffee grinder to make it yourself or store-bought powdered sugar instead.
- Egg whites: Use egg whites at room temperature.
Pro tip: Use leftover egg yolks to make creme Anglaise, Italian pastry cream, or Torta Mimosa.
- Unsalted butter: This recipe is made with melted butter, but if you want to bring the nutty aromas to chocolate financiers, make brown butter instead.
Pro tip: Browned butter (beurre noisette) loses moisture while making, so increase the butter amount by 1-2 tablespoons. Don't discard golden brown milk solids as they add extra flavor.
- Flour: The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, the same as plain flour.
- Cherries: Opt for sour fresh cherries with stems for optimal results. Their tartness makes a perfect balance of sweetness of almond flour.
Pro tip: If out of season, use frozen cherries (no need to thaw them first), or maraschino cherries with stems.
How to make chocolate financiers
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Grease the cavities of a mini muffin pan with the softened butter using a pastry brush.
Step 2. Cut butter into small pieces and melt it in the microwave at 20-second intervals. Let it cool to room temperature.
Pro tip: Alternatively, place butter pieces in a small saucepan and melt it over low heat, stirring.
Step 3. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, cocoa powder, icing (powdered) sugar, and all-purpose flour and set aside (photo 1).
Step 4. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer for 15-20 seconds.
Step 5. Add egg whites to the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula. Add the melted butter and gently mix until just combined (photo 2).
Step 6. Transfer the financier batter to a piping bag with the cut tip, and pipe it into molds filling up to two-thirds (photo 3).
Step 7. Bake for 6 minutes. Open the oven and carefully insert a cherry with a stem into each financier (photo 4). Continue baking for the other 6 to 8 minutes until a cake tester or a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 8. Cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then flip the mini muffin pan over to unmold the cakes and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Expert Tips
- Don't over-whisk egg whites: they shouldn't be mounted.
- Use a small, blunt knife to help release financiers and remove them from the mold.
- Make-ahead option: Make the financier batter in advance, cover it with a plastic film in contact, and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Storing and freezing
Store chocolate financiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Can you freeze chocolate financiers? You can freeze them in a freezer-friendly box or a freezing bag for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQ
You can use frozen cherries (no need to thaw first), but they tend to “bleed” while baking. Out of season, opt for canned maraschino cherries with stems.
Love French tea cakes? Try these next!
- French madeleines
- Lemon poppy seed madeleines
- Raspberry friands
- Blackberry friands
- Browse all the teatime cake recipes
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PrintRecipe card
Easy Chocolate Financiers
Chocolate financiers are mini chocolate almond cakes, a twist on classic French financiers, perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, and a snack in between. Made in a mini muffin pan, they are easy, quick, and affordable.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
- Category: Small cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 5 tablespoons (125 g) almond flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) cocoa powder
- 1 cup + 9 ½ teaspoons (150 g) icing (powdered) sugar
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon (40 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (125 g) egg whites, room temperature (see note #1)
- 4.4 oz. (125 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 25 fresh cherries with stems
* If needed, please refer to Baking Conversion Charts.
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Grease the cavities of a mini muffin pan with the softened butter using a pastry brush.
-
Cut butter into small pieces and melt it in the microwave at 20-second intervals. Let it cool to room temperature. Alternatively, place butter pieces in a small saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring.
-
In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, cocoa powder, icing (powdered) sugar, and all-purpose flour and set aside.
-
In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer for about 15-20 seconds.
-
Add egg whites to the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula. Add the melted butter and gently mix until just combined.
-
Transfer the financier batter to a piping bag with the cut tip, and pipe it into molds filling up to two-thirds.
-
Bake for 6 minutes. Open the oven and carefully insert a cherry with a stem into each financier. Continue baking for the other 6 to 8 minutes until a cake tester or a toothpick comes out clean.
-
Cool in the tins for 5 minutes, then flip the mini muffin pan over to unmold the cakes and let cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
- 125 g egg whites, approximately equal to 3 raw fresh egg whites from jumbo-sized chicken eggs.
- Don't overwhisk egg whites: they shouldn't be mounted.
- Use a small, blunt knife to help release financiers and remove them from the mold.
- Make-ahead option: Make the financier batter in advance, cover it with a plastic film in contact, and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 financier
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 7.3 g
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2.2 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg
The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.
Jill says
I love it when I can find fresh cherries at my grocery. Looking forward to trying this recipe!
Irina says
It is a great idea, Jill! Happy baking!
Kathryn says
I have never heard of this before, but you had me at chocolate and cherry! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Irina says
Yes, financiers are classic French pastries. Please, enjoy the recipe, Kathryn!
Irina says
You are welcome, Kushigalu! 🙂
Sally says
Such a fancy (but simple) dessert for all my cherries! And so delicious!
Irina says
You will love these financiers once you make them! Please, enjoy the recipe, Sally!
Nicole says
I need to use up 2 pounds of fresh cherries in my fridge - these look divine! Thanks for sharing!
Irina says
Nicole, you are very welcome! Happy baking and enjoy it!
Kushigalu says
What a great recipe to try using fresh cherries. So delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Anita says
These are so pretty, and such a clever way to use fresh cherries. Going to give this a try. 🙂
Irina says
You will love these baked cuties once you make them, Anita! Thanks for visiting the recipe.
Charla says
I'm crazy about cherries right now, so looking forward to trying this delicious looking dessert.
Irina says
Perfect, Charla! Happy baking!
Asia says
Omg, amazing!!! Replaced cherries with candied oranges, incredible nevertheless!!
Irina says
Thanks, Asia, for making the recipe and letting me know about the exciting replacement!