Chocolate Financiers (Easy & Quick)

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

1. Don't over-whisk egg whites: they shouldn't be mounted.
2. Use a small, blunt knife to help release financiers and remove them from the mold.
3. 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

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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Recipe card

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.