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Roasted Fig & Earl Grey Financiers

By • Updated September 2026
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These delicate almond financiers marry the floral bergamot notes of Earl Grey tea with the honeyed sweetness of roasted figs—an autumnal twist on the classic French tea cake. The batter is infused with loose-leaf tea and enriched with browned butter, then baked in a financier tin to achieve the signature golden crust and tender, almost molten crumb that makes these cakes so irresistible alongside a pot of afternoon tea.

The beauty of a proper financier mould lies in its shallow, rectangular cavities that maximise surface area for caramelisation while the ground almonds keep the interior moist. Fresh figs are halved and roasted until their sugars concentrate, then pressed gently into the batter before baking. The result is an elegant, not-too-sweet teatime treat that showcases why Earl Grey has been a baker's favourite for generations.

Roasted Fig & Earl Grey Financiers
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Servings12 Financiers
DifficultyMedium

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp loose-leaf Earl Grey tea (about 9 g)
  • 125 g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 100 g icing sugar
  • 40 g plain flour
  • 75 g ground almonds
  • 3 large egg whites (about 90 g)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 6 ripe fresh figs, halved
  • 1 tbsp honey or light brown soft sugar (for roasting figs)
Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 168
Fat: 11g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 3g

Instructions

1
Infuse butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the Earl Grey tea leaves and let them sizzle gently for 1 minute. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter smells nutty and the milk solids turn golden-brown (beurre noisette), about 4–5 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing the leaves to extract all the flavour. Set aside to cool slightly.
2
Roast figs: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/Gas 4. Arrange the fig halves cut-side up on a small baking tray, drizzle with honey or sprinkle with sugar, and roast for 10 minutes until softened and caramelising at the edges. Remove and set aside.
3
Make batter: In a large bowl, sift together the icing sugar, flour, ground almonds and salt. In a separate jug, lightly whisk the egg whites (no need to beat to peaks). Pour the egg whites into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, then fold in the warm Earl Grey brown butter until smooth and glossy.
4
Fill moulds: Lightly butter a 12-cavity financier tin (or use mini loaf moulds). Spoon or pipe the batter into each cavity, filling them about two-thirds full. Gently press half a roasted fig, cut-side up, into the centre of each financier.
5
Bake: Bake for 16–18 minutes, until the edges are deeply golden and the centres spring back when lightly pressed. The financiers should have a characteristic 'bump' around the fig. Leave in the tin for 2 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
6
Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a cup of freshly brewed Earl Grey. These keep in an airtight tin for up to 3 days, though they're at their tender best within 24 hours.

🫖 Equipment You'll Need

A proper financier tin—with its distinctive shallow, rectangular moulds—is essential for achieving the signature crisp, caramelised crust and soft almond centre that define a classic financier. The shape maximises contact with the hot metal, encouraging even browning and that coveted contrast between the golden shell and the almost molten interior. Our buying guide compares the best tins for baking these elegant tea cakes at home.

See our financier baking tin picks →

Expert Tip: No Fresh Figs?

If figs are out of season, swap them for halved fresh plums, apricots, or even rehydrated dried figs (simmer in a little Earl Grey for 5 minutes, then drain). The batter is forgiving and pairs beautifully with most stone fruit or berries.

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