Lemon curd friands
Lemon curd friands are light, moist almond cakes infused with zesty lemon. They are made by combining ground almonds, egg whites, and brown butter for a rich flavour.
Cook time 20 min
Prep time 10 min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose white wheat flour1 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:
- Start by finely grinding the almonds. You can use a food processor to achieve a fine almond meal texture. Set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a friand or muffin tin to prevent the friands from sticking.
- 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.
- In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and the finely ground almonds. Mix well to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites until they are just frothy. They do not need to be whipped to stiff peaks.
- Slowly pour the cooled browned butter into the frothy egg whites, stirring continuously to incorporate. Add the lemon zest to this mixture.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Lemon curd friands FAQ:
Bake the lemon curd friands for 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C). They should be golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
Friands are done when they are golden brown and a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. They should also spring back slightly when touched.
Store leftover lemon curd friands in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Yes, you can substitute ground almonds with equal parts of another nut flour, such as hazelnut or pecan flour. However, this may slightly alter the flavor and texture.
Use a friand or muffin tin, filling each cavity about 2/3 full. If you don’t have a friand tin, a standard muffin tin will work, but the baking time may vary.
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.
Nutrition per serving
8 ServingsCalories 330kcal
Protein 7g
Carbohydrates 10g
Fiber 2.11g
Sugar 0.98g
Fat 30g
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