16 Mar 2025
Cook time 20 min
Prep time 10 min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose white wheat flour
1 cup almonds
5 egg whites
1 cup butter
2 tbsp lemon zest
Lemon curd friands are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. These delicate, almond-based cakes are light, moist, and bursting with the fresh, zesty flavor of lemon. Friands are similar to financiers, a French pastry, but typically have a higher proportion of almond meal which makes them extra rich and nutty. Let's dive into how to create these delightful treats!
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Almonds:
- Start by finely grinding the almonds. You can use a food processor to achieve a fine almond meal texture. Set aside.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a friand or muffin tin to prevent the friands from sticking.
3. Brown the Butter:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and the finely ground almonds. Mix well to ensure they are evenly distributed.
5. Prepare the Egg Whites:
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites until they are just frothy. They do not need to be whipped to stiff peaks.
6. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- Slowly pour the cooled browned butter into the frothy egg whites, stirring continuously to incorporate. Add the lemon zest to this mixture.
7. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
8. Pour Batter into Tin:
- Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared friand or muffin tin. Fill each cavity about 2/3 full, as the friands will rise slightly during baking.
9. Bake:
- Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the friands are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool:
- Remove the tin from the oven and allow the friands to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- Use fresh lemons for the zest to ensure a bright, tangy flavor.
- Ensure the egg whites are at room temperature before beating them to achieve optimal volume.
- Gently fold the ingredients together to maintain the airy texture of the friands.
- If you don't have almond meal, you can make your own by finely grinding blanched almonds.
- Use a non-stick friand or muffin tin and lightly grease it to prevent the friands from sticking.
- Allow the friands to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
With their light texture and rich almond flavor, lemon curd friands are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Enjoy these delightful cakes on their own or with a dollop of fresh lemon curd for an extra burst of citrusy goodness. They are perfect for afternoon tea, dessert, or simply as a sweet treat anytime you want a taste of something special.