Friands Recipe 🍰
Overview:
Friands are a delightful French cake that has become a trendy café item “Down Under.” They’re cherished for their simplicity and ease of preparation, requiring minimal effort yet delivering maximum satisfaction. This recipe, introduced to me by my sister-in-law in Australia, yields 12 delectable cakes, perfect for any occasion. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a total time of 35 minutes, you’ll have these treats ready to enjoy in no time!
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 241.5 per serving
- Fat Content: 16.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 8.2g
- Cholesterol Content: 33mg
- Sodium Content: 116mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 20.6g
- Fiber Content: 1.1g
- Sugar Content: 15.2g
- Protein Content: 4.2g
Ingredients:
- 185g butter
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 6 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 1/2 cups ground almonds
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg white
Equipment:
- Muffin pan or friand pans
- Medium bowl
- Wooden spoon
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to Gas Mark 5, 200-210°C, or 400-425°F. |
| 2 | Grease Pans: Grease 12 muffin cups or friand pans to prevent sticking. |
| 3 | Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the ground almonds, sifted icing sugar, and plain flour. Mix well. |
| 4 | Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg white and cooled melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together using a wooden spoon until well combined. |
| 5 | Fill Pans: Pour or spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pans, filling each about three-quarters full. |
| 6 | Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes. Turn the pans halfway through the cooking time to ensure even baking. |
| 7 | Check for Doneness: The friands should be lightly golden and spring back to the touch when done. |
| 8 | Variations: Get creative with your friands by trying out different toppings or flavorings before baking: |
- Sliced Strawberries: Scatter sliced strawberries on top before baking.
- Lemon and Raspberries: Add lemon juice and grated rind to the batter, then top with raspberries.
- Stone Fruits with Almond Essence: Scatter sliced plums, nectarines, or peaches on top, and add a teaspoon of almond essence to the batter.
- Chocolate Twist: Experiment with finely chopped chocolate, white or dark, along with raspberries for a delightful twist.
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy these friands warm with a dusting of icing sugar and a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat any time of day.
Storage:
- Store any leftover friands in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer shelf life.
Additional Tips:
- For extra flavor, toast the ground almonds before adding them to the batter.
- Experiment with different types of nuts or fruit to create your own unique friand variations.
With their tender crumb and versatile flavor options, these friands are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these delightful cakes are guaranteed to impress! 🌟
