Blueberry & Lemon Friands

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven and Prepare Molds

   4 min

   Start by setting your oven to preheat at 180°C for fan-assisted, 200°C for conventional, or gas mark 6. While the oven warms up, generously coat six non-stick friand or muffin molds with unsalted butter to prevent sticking, then set them aside for later use.

2. 2

   Sift Icing Sugar and Flour

   6 min

   In a mixing bowl, sift together icing sugar and flour to ensure there are no lumps. Then, add the almonds and use your fingers to mix them in thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution throughout the dry ingredients.

3. 3

   Whisk Egg Whites and Combine Mixtures

   5 min

   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they become light and frothy, forming soft peaks. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then add the whisked egg whites along with the zest of the lemon. Finally, gently fold in the melted butter until the mixture is just combined, taking care not to overmix; the batter should be soft and slightly thick.

4. 4

   Fill Molds and Add Blueberries

   30 min

   Carefully spoon the prepared batter evenly into the greased molds, filling each about three-quarters full. Scatter a handful of blueberries on top of the batter in each mold to ensure they bake evenly and burst with flavor. Place the molds in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cakes spring back when lightly pressed.

5. 5

   Cool and Serve Friands

   3 min

   Once baked, let the friands cool in the molds for about 5 minutes, allowing them to set slightly. Carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra touch of sweetness, dust them lightly with icing sugar just before serving, enhancing their appeal.