Peanut butter financiers

Every time I get a new cookbook it takes me forever to choose which recipe to try from it first – the exception was Rose's Heavenly Cakes: I had to start with the weirdest recipe (in my opinion, of course). :)

I have made quite a few financier/friand recipes so far and these have gone straight to the #1 spot around here (sorry, pear friands). :)

Peanut butter financiers
from Rose's Heavenly Cakes

75g whole almonds
10 tablespoons (140g) unsalted butter, chopped
1 cup + 1 tablespoon (148g) icing sugar
6 tablespoons (60g) all purpose flour
4 large egg whites
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°C; butter and flour sixteen ¼ cup (60ml) capacity financier molds.
Spread the almonds in a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring a couple of times, or until fragrant. Let cool completely, then process the almonds with the sugar in a food processor until very fine. Pulse in the flour.
In a small saucepan, heat the butter over low heat until melted – do not use a dark saucepan otherwise you won’t be able to check the color of the butter. Continue cooking, stirring constantly and watching carefully to prevent burning, until the butter turn dark golden. Immediately pour the butter through a strainer into a small heatproof bowl.
In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Add the almond flour mixture, beat well with a whisk, then gradually drizzle the hot butter over the mixture, whisking well. Add the peanut butter and whisk until evenly incorporated.
Pour the batter into the prepared molds, filling each about two-thirds full. Place the molds onto a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the financiers are golden and spring back when lightly pressed in the centers.
Let the financiers cool in the molds for 5 minutes, then carefully unmold onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.
Financiers can be kept in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days, or 5 days in the fridge.

Makes 16 – I halved the recipe above, used 2 tablespoon-capacity pans and got 12 financiers