Fig and Cream Cheese Financiers: A Delectable Recipe
Easy Homemade Recipe for Fig and Cream Cheese Financiers
Discover a crowd-pleasing financier that’s perfect for gifting and special occasions! This Fig and Cream Cheese Financier recipe combines the delightful creaminess of cream cheese with the natural sweetness of figs, creating a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Its elegant appearance and wonderful taste are sure to impress anyone who receives them. Bake these delightful treats at home and share a moment of sweetness!
Ingredients- 150g egg whites
- 60g almond powder
- 65g cake flour
- 3g baking powder
- 70g unsalted butter
- 25g white chocolate
- 3g salt
- 110g granulated sugar
- Cream cheese (at room temperature)
- Dried figs (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Making Brown Butter: Cut the unsalted butter into cubes and place it in a saucepan over low heat. Using a lighter-colored pan will help you better observe the color changes. Gently simmer the butter, listening for a gentle sizzle. Cook until it turns a rich, deep brown color, resembling the color of dark caramel. Be careful not to burn it. Once it reaches the desired color, immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the brown butter into a separate bowl to cool slightly. This step imparts a wonderful nutty aroma and depth of flavor.
Step 2
Emulsifying Egg Whites and Sugar: In a bowl, combine the egg whites and granulated sugar. Whisk gently, avoiding excessive foam. Set the bowl over a saucepan filled with simmering water (double boiler method). Whisk continuously until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened. This gentle heating helps to create a smooth, emulsified base for the financiers.
Step 3
Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Once the egg white mixture is ready, sift the cake flour, baking powder, almond powder, and salt directly into the bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten and result in a tough texture.
Step 4
Adding Brown Butter: Gradually add the cooled brown butter to the batter in two or three additions, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Ensure the brown butter is fully incorporated into the batter, creating a smooth and homogenous mixture. You should notice the rich aroma of the butter permeating the batter.
Step 5
Chilling the Batter: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the ingredients to meld and the batter to firm up, which is crucial for achieving the signature texture of financiers.
Step 6
Preparing the Figs: While the batter is chilling, prepare the dried figs. Trim off the tough stems from the figs. For the filling, finely chop some of the figs. For the topping, cut the remaining figs into quarters. You can optionally soak the figs in wine for extra flavor, but they are delicious as is for a simpler approach.
Step 7
Filling the Molds: Preheat your oven according to the recipe. Spoon the chilled batter into your financier molds, filling them about 40% full. Evenly distribute the finely chopped figs over the batter. Then, add more batter to fill the molds to about 80% capacity. Avoid overfilling, as the financiers will puff up during baking.
Step 8
Adding Cream Cheese and Toppings: Arrange the quartered figs attractively on the edges of the filled molds. Place a small dollop of cream cheese in the center of each financier using a small teaspoon. The cream cheese will melt and mingle with the fig and batter, adding a wonderful creamy tang.
Step 9
Baking the Financiers: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes. Once preheated, reduce the oven temperature to 190°C (375°F) and bake the financiers for 18 minutes. Keep an eye on them during baking and adjust the time as needed to achieve a beautiful golden-brown color. Allow the financiers to cool slightly in the mold before carefully removing them to prevent breakage.
