If you’re looking to add a touch of sweetness and elegance to your afternoon tea or brunch spread, Cherry Friands are the perfect treat to whip up. These delightful little cakes are light, moist, and bursting with the delightful flavor of cherries. They are simple to make and will impress your guests with both their taste and appearance. Let’s dive into the recipe for these scrumptious Cherry Friands.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup almond meal
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 5 egg whites
– 1/2 cup melted butter, cooled
– 1 teaspoon almond extract
– 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
– Sliced almonds for topping
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard muffin tin or a friand pan. If you don’t have a friand pan, a muffin tin works just fine for this recipe.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond meal, powdered sugar, and flour. Mix well to ensure there are no lumps and the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites until they are just frothy. Be careful not to overwhisk; you want the egg whites to be frothy, not stiff.
4. Add the frothy egg whites to the dry ingredients and mix gently to combine. Be careful not to deflate the egg whites too much; you want a light and airy batter.
5. Slowly pour in the melted butter and almond extract, gently folding them into the batter until well combined.
6. Gently stir in the cherry halves, being careful not to overmix the batter. The chunks of cherries add a burst of fruity sweetness to the friands.
7. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin or friand pan, filling each mold about three-quarters full.
8. Top each friand with a few sliced almonds for added crunch and visual appeal.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the friands are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Once baked, remove the friands from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Serve these delectable Cherry Friands at your next gathering or enjoy them with a cup of tea for a cozy afternoon treat. These little cakes are perfect for any occasion and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Enjoy the delicate almond flavor, the bursts of cherry sweetness, and the moist, tender texture of these lovely Cherry Friands. They are a delightful addition to any baking repertoire and are bound to become a favorite in your household. Let the aroma of freshly baked goods fill your kitchen as you whip up a batch of these delicious treats.
