Quick and Easy

Pear Financier Torte

September 11, 2024
4.7
24 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes
  • Serves 12 slices
Author Notes

A traditional French financier is a small, rectangular almond cake that originally got its name from its resemblance to a bar of gold, and because it was often served in Parisian cafes in the French capital’s financial district. This version is baked in a tart pan and topped with sliced pears and almonds but retains all the characteristics of a classic financier. It’s primarily made with almond flour, egg whites, sugar, and a small amount of regular flour. Since it requires very little mixing, it takes almost no active cooking time. The flavors are reminiscent of marzipan, and the texture is tender, light, and buttery—the perfect cake to serve in the afternoon with coffee or tea. —Nea Arentzen

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Pear Financier Torte
Ingredients
  • 1/2 to 1 pear (Bartlett is what I used)
  • 5 egg whites
  • 1 cup (198 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (110 grams) almond flour
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 10 tablespoons (141 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF with a rack in the center position.
  2. Thinly slice the pear so you have at least 6 bunches of 4 slices. Gently fan out each bunch and set aside until ready to assemble the torte.
  3. In a large bowl, use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix together the egg whites, sugar, and vanilla until combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, all-purpose flour, and salt until no clumps remain. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg and sugar mixture, then stir in the melted butter.
  5. Use any remaining melted butter in the saucepan (or bowl) and brush it onto a 9-inch tart pan (alternatively, use a pie pan).
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, then assemble the 6 sets of pear slices over top, starting with one in the middle. Sprinkle sliced almonds evenly around the edges. Bake until deep golden brown and set, 30 to 35 minutes. (I added additional time but depending on your oven, you may need to account for a few more minutes. Additionally, if you’re worried your tart pan might leak, place it on a rimmed baking sheet. You might have to release it with a spatula or knife, but it’ll catch any drippings and will make it easier to transfer in and out of the oven.)

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Taylor Stanton
    Taylor Stanton
  • Apg991
    Apg991
  • jxc
    jxc
  • Kathi Pitra
    Kathi Pitra
  • Nea Arentzen
    Nea Arentzen
Nea Arentzen

Recipe by: Nea Arentzen

Test Kitchen Content Creator & Recipe Developer at Food52

29 Reviews

Taylor S. November 10, 2024
This was so delicious! I also browned the butter and added almond extract for some extra oomph. Do not bake this until it's golden all over - it will be overdone.
 
Noreena S. October 22, 2024
I used brown butter, a few drops of almond extract, and reduced the sugar by 2 tablespoons. Baked it for 45 min. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the torte was heavenly!
 
Apg991 October 22, 2024
Such a quick and easy recipe! Delicious and was a hit at a recent luncheon.
 
Elowyn C. October 8, 2024
This was phenomenal! I agree with other commenters who suggest a longer bake time and the addition of almond extract. I also interspersed some raspberries between the pear clusters, which worked well.

Since there’s no leavening, this would also make an excellent Passover dessert!
 
Flip D. October 2, 2024
I followed the recipe but added a few drops of almond extract, it came out perfectly and disappeared in minutes. It’s simply fabulous and easy to make. Everyone loved it!
 
Nea A. October 3, 2024
Love the addition of almond extract. So glad you guys liked it!
 
jxc October 2, 2024
Easy and delicious...but only the outer 2" were done after 30min bake time....the outer edges were beautiful golden brown; the interior of the tart tested clean but had no color. I baked in an 9" tart pan w/removable bottom set on a cookie tray (needed) & covered the surface with slices from 1-1/3 pears; I wondered if these 2 factors would lengthen the bake time. The interior was not raw but a thick pudding consistency. There will be a next time, and I will definitely substitute almond extract for the vanilla.
 
Nea A. October 3, 2024
Ahh sorry to hear that! I'm going to add a note in the recipe!
 
Lesliemac October 1, 2024
Wonderful for dessert, teatime, brunch, etc. I used a 9-inch Pyrex pie pan which was buttered and coated with granulated sugar, and the torte slid out easily. I used 1 1/2 sliced pears (ate the other half) and sprinkled more heavily with sliced almonds than specified to cover up my less-than-perfect pear slivers. It did take longer to bake than the recipe indicated ... but then I had added extra fruit. It's going into my permanent recipe file and will be making an appearance over the holidays. The edges which get crispier than the center, reminded me of almond macaroons, and that's never a bad thing.
 
Nea A. October 3, 2024
Aw I'm soo glad you enjoyed it! Yes I agree, it's very macaroon-adjacent!
 
Charlene V. September 30, 2024
I made this yesterday and it was easy and delicious. I added about 1/4 teaspoon almond extract with the vanilla. I agree with other comments about bake time and buttering the pan. Luckily I was a bit heavy-handed with the butter in my 9” tart pan, but it could have used even more. Next time I might try “cake goop” (from Joy the Baker). I baked a good 20-25 minutes longer and used color and wooden skewer for my doneness tests. As it got brown around the edges but the center still wasn’t done, I put a silicone ring around the edge of the pan to keep the color even. As I live in hazelnut country (Oregon), next time I might use hazelnut flour in the batter and chopped hazelnuts around the edge. A winning fall recipe that I will make again and again!
 
Nea A. October 1, 2024
Hi Charlene, thanks so much for your comment! I appreciate your note on the cooking time, too. Hazelnut flour sounds delicious (:
 
amazinc September 27, 2024
Made tart this a.m. for my tgif group. Looks gorgeous eventho' I couldn't slice the pear correctly and ended up with only three "groupings" and used the rest as single slices. All okay so far. Do use parchment paper between the pan and the cookie sheet protecting your oven. I'm a firm believer in "all tart pans leak"; also butter the tar out of your baking dish or you'll never get a release from the pan/dish. Took much longer to bake than 20 mins. Mine took about 28 minutes in a convection oven, so be advised. I tasted the crumbs collected from the pan and it tastes very very good. I'm sure it will be a hit tonight. BTW, I used a 9-inch tin tart pan with removable ring and again butter, butter, butter whatever you use for baking.
 
Nea A. October 1, 2024
Thanks so much for your comment!! Going to adjust baking time(:
 
Phf523 September 24, 2024
Could I make this non-dairy using coconut oil or non dairy margarine sticks? Thank you!
 
Nea A. October 1, 2024
I'd use margarine over coconut oil!
 
BakerChick September 24, 2024
This torte was absolutely delicious. My company ate more than half before dinner even started! I will surely make again.
 
Nea A. October 1, 2024
I'm so happy to hear this!
 
Juliette September 24, 2024
Received 1 pear from our CSA box and this was the perfect recipe. It turned out beautifully and the leftovers are great straight from the fridge.
However, I baked this WAY longer than the recipe indicates. At 20 min it wasn't set and very pale - total bake time was 40-45 min to get the deep golden brown color indicated and for everything to set well. I also let it cool for at least an hour for it to settle as it puffed slightly in the oven.
I used the standard pie tin from King Arthur and it was the perfect size.
 
Nea A. September 24, 2024
Ah I'm so happy you enjoyed it! And thank you for your note about the baking time!
 
Amy B. September 25, 2024
So glad you posted this, Juliette. I just went to take mine out of the oven and at 20 minutes, it's still 'a puddle.' I won't lose faith!
 
Melissa September 23, 2024
What should the texture be like- cake like? Mine was goo’ey- the middle barely ‘set’ even though I returned it to the oven for 10 extra minutes, with foil protecting the edges.

What pan did you use?
 
Nea A. October 1, 2024
Ah I'm sorry to hear this! It should definitely be set in the middle. I'm going to adjust cooking time next time!
 
Leslie September 18, 2024
What type of pan did you use for this recipe?
 
[email protected] September 18, 2024
Pie plate!
 
Leslie September 18, 2024
Thanks!
 
Kathi P. September 18, 2024
Can't wait to try this!!
 
Nea A. September 19, 2024
Ah let me know if you do!!
 
Melissa September 23, 2024
Please tell us what kind of texture it should have, and which pan you used.