Christmas Spiced Friands Recipe
Introduction
These Christmas spiced friands are a delightful twist on a classic almond cake, infused with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Perfectly golden and tender, they make a festive treat ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy afternoons with tea.
Ingredients
- 200g unsalted butter
- 6 egg whites
- 75g plain flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch grated nutmeg
- Pinch ground ginger
- 200g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 140g ground almonds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it foams and turns golden brown. Remove from heat, pour through a sieve to discard the white solids, and leave the clear browned butter to cool.
- Step 2: Grease 10 holes in a friand or muffin tin lightly with some of the browned butter.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until just frothy. Sift over the plain flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and icing sugar. Add the ground almonds.
- Step 4: Pour in the cooled browned butter and gently fold the mixture into the egg whites until smooth and lump-free. You may chill the batter for up to 2 days before baking if desired.
- Step 5: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared tin holes. Place the tin on a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the friands are risen, golden, and springy to the touch.
- Step 6: Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes in the tin before transferring friands to a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter before folding in the butter.
- Substitute ground almonds with ground hazelnuts for a different nutty twist.
- These friands pair wonderfully with a simple chestnut fool or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Storage
Store friands in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh on the day of baking, but can be lightly warmed in a low oven or microwave before serving if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use whole eggs instead of egg whites?
Friands rely on egg whites for their light texture, so using whole eggs will change the consistency and may result in a denser cake.
Can I prepare the batter in advance?
Yes, you can chill the batter in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking, which can enhance the flavors and provide flexibility in your schedule.
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Christmas Spiced Friands Recipe
- Total Time: 33-35 minutes
- Yield: 10 friands 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Deliciously moist and spiced Christmas friands featuring warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, encased in a light almond-based cake. Perfectly golden on the outside and soft inside, these festive friands bring holiday cheer to teatime or dessert.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 200g unsalted butter
- 6 egg whites
- 75g plain flour
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch grated nutmeg
- Pinch ground ginger
- 200g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
- 140g ground almonds
Instructions
- Brown the butter: Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan)/gas 6. Place the butter in a small saucepan and heat until it foams and turns golden brown. Remove from the heat and strain through a sieve to separate the browned butter from the white solids. Discard the solids and set the browned butter aside to cool.
- Prepare the tins: Grease 10 holes of a friand or muffin tin lightly with some of the cooled browned butter to prevent sticking.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until just frothy. Sift in the plain flour, ground cinnamon, grated nutmeg, ground ginger, and icing sugar. Add the ground almonds and pour in the cooled browned butter. Fold everything gently into the egg whites until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Optional chilling: You may chill the friand batter for up to 2 days before baking to develop flavors further.
- Fill the tins and bake: Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared tin holes. Place the tins on a baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes until the friands have risen, are golden brown, and springy to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Remove the friands from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes in the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar before serving. Best enjoyed on the day of baking, slightly warm or fully cooled, ideally with Chestnut fool.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a rich nutty flavor essential for authentic friands.
- Folding the wet and dry ingredients carefully prevents deflating the egg whites, maintaining a light texture.
- You can prepare the batter ahead and chill it for up to two days before baking to save time and enhance flavor.
- Use a friand tin if possible to get the distinctive oval shape, or use a muffin tin as a substitute.
- Dust friands with icing sugar just before serving for an elegant finish.
- Serve with Chestnut fool or a complementary whipped cream for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, Christmas
Keywords: Christmas, Friands, Spiced Cakes, Almond Cakes, Browned Butter, Festive Baking
