French Friday with Dorie: Coconut Friands

A NEW FAVORITE GOURMET CAKELET

JUST FINISHED BAKING--CAN'T WAIT TO TASTE

LOTS OF FUN SHAPES TO MAKE MINI DESSERTS

I FOUND THESE 1/2 SIZE FINANCIER  PANS IN MY CUPBOARD --AFTER BUTTERING AND SUGARING EACH HOLE, THE CAKELETS CAME OUT PERFECTLY

I looked forward to doing some baking today.  It has been one of those weeks.  Finishing taxes for 2011 and more for the first quarter of 2012, many hours working on some big projects for the Town of Gilbert, taking No. 1 son to lots of physical therapy...LOTS!!!  (He was hit in hubby’s work truck by a red light runner talking on a cell phone...he is OK but in lots of pain), dealing with insurance companies, sending kids with a special grandkiddie back to college located in another state, (very hard to do...especially cute and precious Baby M), etc.  In other words, not doing much of anything I had planned...you know, life.  It happens.

I EXPERIMENTED WITH SEVERAL PAN SIZES--LOVED MINI SIZES

I read through the recipe for Coconut Friands, which looked good, but it is something a little different from a similar favorite, Coconut Macaroons.  I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect.  I also read through Dorie's Financiers recipe as a comparison and decided that as a stress reliever, I would also bake these recipes to do my own comparison. 

Between all my stuff for today, I rushed during every possible opportunity to get my baking project completed.  I did a little every time I was home for 5 or 10 minutes.  Found baking pans, got out ingredients, put eggs and butter out to become room temperature, chopped chocolate, etc.  And finally at almost midnight, I’m calling it a day.   It’s time to get my post ready so that I’ll be ready to rush around again tomorrow.  Keeps me young.  (That’s what I tell myself.)

FRESHLY BAKED FINANCIERS WITH A DIFFERENT SHAPE

After reading the recipes and searching the internet for a few photos (none in Dorie’s book), I decided to make today’s assigned recipe, but with one change: I zested a freshly picked orange, added the zest to the batter, and during the fridge time that batter became incredible!!!  Amazing!!!  That coconut with orange zest batter was so fragrant and sweet...well, I was blown away.  So much better than I could have imagined it would be.  Totally a winning experience to taste these morsels of deliciousness.

1/2 SIZE FINANCIERS

This recipe is a new, very special treat for me...I can’t say enough good about it.  Elegant yet robust flavors and outstanding texture.  I’m truly amazed when food turns out to be this good!   This is a blue ribbon recipe!!!

When these friands came out of the oven, No. 1 Son was laying on the couch, unsuccessfully trying to find a comfortable position.  He hobbled over to be my taster and was very impressed with these little gourmet cakelets.  He asked to take several home.  That always makes me happy.

FINANCIERS WITH ALMOND FLOUR AND GARNISHED WITH A FRESH BLACKBERRY BAKED ON TOP

Next I made the Financiers, which are a similar recipe, but with almond flour instead of coconut, and I added fruit...fresh blackberries, to the tops before baking.  I’m sure our group will bake these later as an assigned recipe, but being unfamiliar with exactly what Financiers are and how they would compare to the friands, I wanted to give them a try.

Again, fabulous!  Wonderful flavors in these simple, quality desserts.  I now know why they have been so very popular for such a long time in France as well as other parts of our world.  It’s great to have them as a new part of my world.  Many other types of fruits could have been used as a garnish, but since I had blackberries in the fridge, they were my choice.  I gave these cakelets a bam of confectioner’s sugar before serving, and they were superb.

HOT OUT OF THE OVEN--CHOCOLATE FINANCIERS

Last, badly needing chocolate, I made the Chocolate Fianciers.  Little bites of heaven.  Need I say more.

CHOCOLATE MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH PERFECTION

These desserts have been perfected over the years by many great bakers, and now they are mine.  Thank you, thank you to those before me who have cared enough about these sweet treasures to create recipes that I can have in perfect form the first time from my oven.  Thank you, Dorie, for adding these recipes to your wonderful book.  All versions are keepers.

While taking No. 1 Son home, Hubby came home late...working on a court case where he will be an expert witness tomorrow.  He sent me a text letting me know he found treasures in the kitchen that are delicious.  Nice.

I had plenty remaining to take a plate of these treats to my Frolicking Night Owl daughter and family as a Good Luck Wish for their big concert tomorrow...actually two concerts tomorrow.  It is a huge undertaking.  Hundreds are involved in the choirs and orchestra...a very high end professional event.  My little Penguin has a solo part where she will sing in the concert hall with a huge back-up choir and with a full orchestra.  The hall is sold out...thousands will hear her.  This will be a great experience for her young life and Frolicking Night Owl is a wonderful violinist with the orchestra.

READY TO ENJOY

Anyway, I’m tired.  My post is rambling on and on and probably does not make lots of sense to anyone but me. 

There are not many recipes that catch my attention so completely. These cakelets are a delight and I will make them over and over often. 

Hope everyone enjoys Coconut Friands as much as I do.