Matcha Financier Recipe

The financier is a classic French pastry – small, rectangular almond-flavored tea cakes similar to madeleines, renowned for their rich yet light texture, nutty aroma, and golden-brown color. While not widely known in the US, financiers have been beloved in Japan for decades. In fact, they’ve become one of the most popular French-origin baked confections in Japan, where they’ve evolved through the addition of Japanese flavors and interesting ingredients.

The pastry’s fascinating history dates back to the late 19th century Paris, specifically around the French stock exchange. A local bakery created these treats with a distinctive rectangular shape inspired by gold bars or ingots – a clever reference to their financial district clientele. What makes financiers particularly special is their use of brown butter (beurre noisette), where the butter is cooked until its milk solids become brown and caramelized, imparting a distinctive nutty flavor.

One particularly delicious variation is the matcha financier, which combines the rich traditional base with refreshing green tea powder. While making financiers requires careful measurements and specific steps, the process isn’t overly complex, and the results are truly divine – making them well worth trying at home.

Matcha financiers make wonderful treats for everyday coffee time but can also serve as elegant desserts for special occasions. They can be dressed up with a dusting of powdered sugar or additional matcha powder, and served with vanilla ice cream and berries for an elevated presentation. We hope you to try making these delightful pastries soon!