French Almond Financier cakes are traditional French street food.  They likely originated in the financial district surrounding the Paris stock exchange and earned their name by their resemblance to a solid gold brick.  It's crusty and light on the outside, rich and dense on the inside.  To me, it's almost like an almond pound cake.

I was first introduced to these little bites of heaven by a French friend whose mother made them for our workout buddies at Snap Fitness while visiting Minnesota.  I rarely ask for recipes, but this one I had to get so I could make them at home.

French Almond Financier Cakes

• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 6 large egg whites
• 1/2 C. flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 C. finely chopped or ground almonds (I used whole almonds and ran them through my coffee grinder)
• 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Butter 18 muffin tins (traditionally, you'd use a Financier Mold but use what you have. Muffin tins, tart pans, candy or petit fours molds work well too).

In a medium bowl, combine egg whites and almond extract.  Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Add egg whites to the dry ingredients and give a quick stir until a light batter is formed.  Pour into muffin tins.

Bake 6-7 minutes at 450 degrees then lower heat to 400.  Bake an additional 5-6 minutes until golden brown.  baking it first in a super-hot oven will crisp up the outside, while reducing the baking temperature to finish keeps the inside nice and moist. Allow the cakes to cool slightly then remove from the tins.