Matcha Financiers: A Quiet Afternoon Treat
Soft at the center, lightly crisp at the edges, and gently fragrant with matcha—these matcha financiers are best enjoyed slowly, perhaps with a cup of warm tea on a quiet afternoon.
Lately, we’ve been experimenting with different baked goods using matcha, exploring how its character changes when paired with butter, nuts, and heat. This recipe has quickly become a favorite. It takes a classic French pastry and gives it a subtle matcha expression—familiar, yet slightly unexpected.
What Is a Financier?
A financier is a traditional French almond cake, known for its moist crumb and delicate richness. It’s typically made with browned butter, finely ground almonds, egg whites, sugar, and a small amount of flour.
Financiers are often baked in rectangular molds resembling gold bars, though other shapes work just as well. Their texture sits somewhere between a sponge cake and a tea cake: light, tender, and satisfying without being heavy.
Adding Matcha to a Classic
When adapting financiers with matcha, balance is key. Matcha should complement the nutty warmth of browned butter and almonds—not overpower it.
After testing several recipes, we settled on one that delivered consistently good texture and structure. The only adjustment we made was reducing the sugar slightly, allowing the matcha and almonds to come through more clearly.
Choosing the Right Matcha for Baking
For baked goods like financiers, culinary grade matcha is the best choice.
A good culinary matcha provides:
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A natural green color that holds up in the oven
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Enough depth of flavor to remain noticeable after baking
For this recipe, we recommend using a well-balanced culinary blend with a strong matcha character. It pairs naturally with browned butter and almond flour, adding a gentle bitterness that keeps the pastry from tasting overly sweet.
Matcha Financier Recipe
Ingredients
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5 oz / 130 g unsalted butter
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2 oz / 57 g fine almond flour
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2 oz / 57 g all-purpose flour
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2½ tsp matcha powder
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5 oz / 130 g sugar
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4 egg whites
Instructions
1. Make the browned butter
Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it begins to bubble, white milk solids will appear. Continue cooking until the solids turn golden brown and release a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and strain. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Combine dry ingredients
In a bowl, mix the almond flour and sugar. Add the egg whites gradually, stirring gently until combined.
3. Add flour and matcha
Sift the all-purpose flour and matcha together, then fold into the mixture. Slowly add the browned butter and whisk until a smooth, thick batter forms.
4. Rest the batter (optional)
Transfer the batter to a piping bag and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This step is optional but helps improve texture.
5. Prepare the molds
Brush the inside of your molds with browned butter and lightly dust with flour. Chill in the freezer for about 5 minutes. Traditional financier molds work well, but muffin tins are also suitable.
6. Bake
Preheat the oven to 329°F (165°C). Pipe the batter into the molds and bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
Serve warm.
A Simple Pleasure
We shared a batch with friends, and the response was immediate—quiet appreciation, followed by requests for another piece. These matcha financiers are simple, familiar, and comforting, with just enough matcha to make them feel special.
They’re a reminder that matcha doesn’t need to be dramatic. Sometimes, it works best when it’s woven gently into something already well-loved.
