Ingredients
Marinated Plums
Almond Friands
Instructions
Step 1
In a small bowl, combine the *plums*, *sugar*, *cinnamon stick*, and *bay leaves*. Stir to coat the plums evenly. Cover and let them marinate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to develop.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the *almond flour*, *all-purpose flour*, and *sugar*. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the *egg whites* until they are frothy. Combine them with the *melted butter* and *vanilla extract*. Ensure the mixture is smooth before adding it to the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the ingredients until just combined and set aside.
Step 3
Preheat your oven to *180°C (350°F)*. Grease a friand or muffin pan with butter. Spoon the friand batter into the pan, filling each cup about halfway. Place a piece of marinated plum into the center of each batter-filled cup.
Bake in the preheated oven for *25-30 minutes*, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4
Once cooled, serve these delightful friands warm or at room temperature. These treats are best enjoyed fresh and will surely be a hit at your fall gatherings. Bon appétit!
Servings
💡 **Serve your Friands warm** for an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth experience. Pop them into a cozy autumn picnic basket and relish them under a canopy of gold and amber leaves. Add a dollop of vanilla whipped cream for a match made in dessert heaven.
🎨 Looking for a pop of color? Dust them generously with powdered sugar right before serving. They'll look like they were just kissed by the first snowfall of the year.
🔥 For a daring twist, drizzle them with a tart raspberry coulis. The combination of sweet and tart in every bite will have your taste buds doing a happy dance!
Equipment
Ideal for baking perfectly shaped friands. Silicone pans work wonders for easy removal. Remember to grease them well!
This will make blending your batter and incorporating air effortless, ensuring your friands are fluffy. If you don’t have one, a good old hand whisk will do the trick with a bit more elbow grease.
Use this to sift your almond flour and ensure no clumps lurk in your batter. This is crucial for achieving that ultra-smooth texture.
Variations
🌱 **Gluten-Free Variation:** Substitute almond flour with a gluten-free blend and ensure all other ingredients, like baking powder, are gluten-free. Your friends with gluten sensitivity will thank you!
🌱 **Vegan Variation:** Swap the butter with coconut oil and use a flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg replacement (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water equals one egg). Watch as your plant-based friends swoon at the taste and texture!
Faq
- What’s the best way to store friands?
Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, they freeze beautifully for up to a month!
- Can I substitute plums with other fruits?
Absolutely! Try apricots, cherries, or even mixed berries. Experiment to find your favorite fruity twist!
- How do I avoid making my batter too dense?
Ensure not to overmix the batter; fold gently to keep it light and airy.
- Why are my friands sticking to the pan?
Make sure to generously butter or use a non-stick spray on your pans. Silicone molds can help with easy removal.
- Can I infuse the bay leaf flavor in other ways?
Sure! Create a bay leaf syrup by steeping the leaves in simple syrup and use it as an accent on your friands or as a drizzle.
- What’s the origin of friands?
Friands have French roots but gained immense popularity in Australia and New Zealand, where they are a café favorite!