As an American living in France, I sometimes miss the abundance of all things pumpkin spice that you can find in the States every fall. My solution? Create an American-French mashup of a classic French financiers recipe. And so my French almond pumpkin cakes were born!

These mini cakes are traditionally called financiers or friands. They are made with a combination of almond flour and all-purpose flour and typically sweetened with chocolate or fruit flavors. Over the years I’ve made traditional financiers, chocolate raspberry financiers and chocolate coffee financiers.

But I have a feeling these pumpkin financiers just may become a favorite in my financier rotation.

Ready to bring the taste of fall to a delicious French pastry? Keep reading to learn how to make these pumpkin almond cakes in your kitchen.

What Is a Financier?

A financier is a small French cake traditionally made with almond flour and browned butter, as well as other ingredients. In this pumpkin almond cake recipe, we’re adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice for a delicious fall twist.

Why is the pastry called financier?

Financiers got their name due to their association with the financial district of Paris and the traditional small, rectangular shape that resembles a gold bar. 

The financier was created in the 19th century by a Parisian pastry chef who had a bakery near the stock exchange. The pastry was designed to be a convenient snack for bankers who wanted something small, easy to eat, and not too messy. 

How to Make Financiers with Pumpkin

These French almond pumpkin cakes are delicious and simple to make. And if you’ve done any other fall baking, then you probably already have the ingredients you need (especially if you have a well-stocked pantry).

Pumpkin Financier Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these mini pumpkin cakes:

• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar is the only sweetener in this recipe, giving the cakes a delicate sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: This pantry staple works together with almond flour to give the cakes their firm texture. 
• Almond flour or meal: Almond flour gives these French pumpkin cakes their subtle almond flavor and also helps create the perfect financier texture.
• Egg white: You only need egg whites for this recipe, so save your egg yolks to make my Egg Yolk Chocolate Chip Cookies!
• Pumpkin puree: You can use homemade pumpkin puree, but I’m a fan of using canned puree. Just make sure you’re getting pumpkin puree only, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Vanilla extract: Use your favorite store-bought vanilla extract or try making homemade vanilla extract.
• Pumpkin spice: You can’t make pumpkin cakes without pumpkin pie spice! You can buy this as a mix or make your own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.
• Unsalted butter: You’ll brown the butter to give these pumpkin financiers a deep, complex flavor.
• Optional toppings: I like to add crunchy toffee bits to my pumpkin almond cakes, but you can also add in nuts or even chocolate chips.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Almond Pumpkin Cakes

Step One: Whisk together the sugar, flour, and almond flour. Then add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and spices.

Step Two: To make the browned butter, melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan until browned bits form on the bottom. Remove the butter from the heat and let it cool before adding it to the batter.

Step Three: Chill the batter to firm it up for up to two days in the fridge. If you don’t have time for this step, you can also use it immediately.

Step Four: Fill your chosen mold (either a financier pan or a buttered muffin tin) about ½ – ¾ of the way full. Top with crushed toffee bits or any other toppings you’re using.

Step Five: Bake the almond pumpkin cakes for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they start to brown around the edges and a toothpick comes out clean.

Common Questions About French Almond Pumpkin Cakes

Does financier batter need to be refrigerated?

While it’s not absolutely necessary, it is best practice to let financier batter chill for at least one hour in the fridge before baking. Allowing the batter to rest helps the flavors meld and improves the texture of the final product. The cold rest also firms up the butter, which contributes to the financier’s characteristic crisp exterior and soft, moist interior. I’d recommend planning ahead so you have time to chill the batter when making these pumpkin financiers.

How to know when financiers are done?

There are a few signs that financiers are done baking. Look for browning around the edges and insert a toothpick into the middle of a cake. It should come out clean or with just small crumbs attached. You can also press lightly on the top of the almond pumpkin cakes. If they’re ready, they should spring back.

How long do pumpkin financiers last?

Financiers are best enjoyed within the first few days after baking. Store in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to four days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.

What is the difference between a financier and a friand?

These mini almond pumpkin cakes are typically called financiers but you may also see them called friands. These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some actual differences between the two pastries.

A financier is a small almond-based cake made with beurre noisette (brown butter), almond flour, egg whites, sugar, and flour. It is traditionally shaped like a rectangular bar, though it can be made in a round muffin tin or other molds.

A friand, on the other hand, is a similar almond-based cake but often includes additional flavorings such as fruits, coconut, or chocolate. They are typically baked in an oval or round shape. 

Try These Other French Pumpkin Desserts

Looking for more recipes that bring together classic pumpkin spice flavors and French pastries? These are some of my favorite fall recipes:

• Pumpkin Ginger Cookies
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• Mini Pumpkin S’mores Tarts
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars

Make Your Own Pumpkin Financiers