If you have a moment to fall in love with a delicate, almond-flavored treat, this Raspberry Friands Recipe is just what you need. These airy, moist little cakes are packed with fresh raspberries and speckled with sweet white chocolate, creating a perfect balance of tartness and creaminess. Their light texture melts in your mouth, making them an irresistible delight for afternoon tea, breakfast, or whenever your sweet tooth calls. Once you try this Raspberry Friands Recipe, it’s hard not to keep it as a favorite go-to bake for special occasions or simple indulgences alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A metal mixing bowl sits on a white marbled surface, containing two main layers of mixture. One layer is yellowish and dense, positioned mostly on the right side, and the other is a fluffy, white layer placed on the left side inside the bowl. A red spatula is partially embedded in the yellow mixture, angled diagonally with its handle pointing towards the bottom right corner. The inside of the bowl has some bits of the yellow mixture stuck lightly to the sides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its stunning taste but also in the simplicity of its ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, from giving the cake its tender crumb to adding that burst of fruity freshness and creamy sweetness.

3 eggs: Separating these and whipping the whites creates the friands’ signature light and airy texture.
Pinch of salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps stabilize the whipped egg whites.
150g butter: Adds richness and moisture, giving the friands their tender crumb.
1 cup caster sugar: Sweetens without graininess, perfectly balancing the raspberries’ tartness.
1 tsp vanilla essence: Offers a warm, fragrant background note that complements the berries beautifully.
½ tsp lemon zest: Brings a subtle zing, brightening the overall flavor profile.
100g plain flour: Provides structure to the friands without weighing them down.
140g ground almonds: The star ingredient that gives friands their distinctive nutty flavor and tender texture.
⅓ cup white chocolate buttons: Melts into pockets of creamy sweetness throughout the friands.
⅔ cup frozen or fresh raspberries: Adds vibrant color and a juicy, tangy punch in every bite.
Extra butter and flour for greasing the tins: Ensures your friands come out perfectly shaped every time.
Dusting of icing sugar: A pretty, delicate finish that adds a hint of extra sweetness.

How to Make Raspberry Friands Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Tins

Start by preheating your oven to 170°C fan bake. Grease your friand tins generously with melted butter and dust them with flour, shaking out any excess so your cakes don’t stick. If you don’t have friand tins, muffin tins work just as well, so no worries!

Step 2: Whip the Egg Whites

Carefully separate the eggs, making sure no yolk gets into the whites (this will help them whip properly). Using a mixer, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. This step is key for achieving that signature lightness of the friands, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Mix Butter, Sugar, and Flavors

In a bowl, beat the softened butter, caster sugar, vanilla essence, and lemon zest together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This not only blends the flavors but also creates a creamy base that the other ingredients will fold into.

Step 4: Add Egg Yolks and Dry Ingredients

Mix in the egg yolks until fully combined. Then stir in the ground almonds—this gives the friands their lovely moist texture and nutty taste. Next, sift in the plain flour and blend it gently until everything comes together without overmixing.

Step 5: Incorporate the Whipped Egg Whites

Fold half of the whipped egg whites into the batter carefully to lighten it. Then gently fold in the remaining whites, making sure not to deflate the mixture. This gentle folding is the secret to friands that rise beautifully with a soft crumb inside.

Step 6: Add Raspberries and White Chocolate

Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared tins. Scatter white chocolate buttons and raspberries on top, pressing them in slightly but avoiding the edges to prevent sticking. These add-ins turn each bite into a delightful combination of tart fruit and creamy chocolate.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let the friands cool in the tin for a few minutes before gently turning them out onto a wire rack. Finish with a dusting of icing sugar for that elegant touch.

How to Serve Raspberry Friands Recipe

The image shows six golden brown muffins cooling on a black wire rack placed over a white marbled surface. Each muffin has a soft texture with visible dark red berry pieces and white chunks slightly melted inside the top layer. The tops of the muffins are lightly dusted with fine white powdered sugar, adding a delicate contrast to the warm baked color. The muffins have a slightly rounded top and a firm base, with the front muffin in clear focus and the rest softly blurred in the background, creating depth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Dusting with icing sugar gives these friands a light, snowy look that instantly elevates their appeal. For an extra special finish, serve with a sprig of fresh mint or a few extra whole raspberries on the side, highlighting their vibrant freshness.

Side Dishes

These friands shine on their own, but if you want to turn them into a light dessert, serve alongside a dollop of softly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A drizzle of raspberry coulis can add a luxurious touch to complete the experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Raspberry Friands Recipe on a beautiful platter sprinkled with edible flowers or edible glitter to wow your guests at a brunch or afternoon tea. You can also stack them with layers of fresh berries and whipped cream for an exquisite trifle-inspired treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover friands in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to preserve their delicate texture. Avoid refrigeration if possible, as it can dry them out, but if your kitchen is very warm, storing them in the fridge is okay—just bring to room temperature before serving.

Freezing

Raspberry friands freeze beautifully! Wrap each friand individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-baked warmth, pop frozen or refrigerated friands into a 160°C oven for about 5 minutes. This brief reheat keeps them moist inside and restores the lightly crisp exterior, perfect for that just-out-of-the-oven feeling.

FAQs

Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Fresh raspberries are perfect in this Raspberry Friands Recipe and lend a lovely natural juiciness. Just be gentle when folding them in to avoid breaking up the berries too much.

What if I don’t have a friand tin?

No worries at all. Muffin tins work just as well for baking friands, giving you slightly larger treats that are just as delicious.

Why do I need to whip the egg whites separately?

Whipping the egg whites creates air bubbles that lighten the batter, giving friands their signature airy, tender crumb. It’s a crucial step for achieving the right texture.

Can I substitute ground almonds with another nut flour?

You can try using ground hazelnuts or pistachios for a different flavor twist, but keep in mind that the texture and taste will vary as ground almonds are traditional for friands.

Are Raspberry Friands Recipe suitable for freezing after baking?

Yes! Freezing baked friands is a fantastic way to enjoy this treat anytime. Just wrap and freeze, then thaw when you want a quick and delightful snack or dessert.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend trying this Raspberry Friands Recipe enough—it’s one of those irresistibly delicious treats that feels both elegant and comforting. Once you’ve tasted the combination of almond crumb, tart raspberries, and white chocolate pockets, you’ll understand why it’s a recipe worth baking time and again. Your friends and family will thank you, and you might even find yourself making it on repeat just for the joy of it!