The French have had their fair share of fascinating sweets over the years. There are the famous crepes and croissants, their colorful macarons, scrumptious madeleine cookies, and of course, the financier! Nope, the latter doesn't pertain to a worker in a bank—though it was created for them!—but rather a sweet rectangle cake that's simple, easy to eat, and tastes oh so good. This French almond cake is a definite must-have when you're in the French capital. But where can you get the best of them? Try going to Patisserie Yann Couvreur, Helmut New Cake, Stohrer, and other bakeries in Paris that offer the best financiers!
Patisserie Yann Couvreur
With various locations throughout the different neighborhoods in Paris, Patisserie Yann Couvreur has certainly garnered a lot of attention over the years. Is their financier part of the reason? Could be! Among this bakery's exquisite list of sweets, the financier stands out with its refined simplicity. Vanilla-flavored with no toppings, it's as easy to it as it was intended. Patisserie Yann Couvreur's financier cake is the kind that works well as comfort food during a coffee break. When you just want to munch on something sweet in-between sips of your coffee, this pastry is a perfect choice!
Maison Kayser
You've simply got to check out Maison Kayser's financier cakes. They're absolutely different from what you might expect from the French pastry. Firstly, they're shaped like muffins instead of the standard rectangular form. Secondly, they come in different flavors—plain, chocolate, and raspberry. And third, despite how different they are from the kind of financiers that you're used to, the sensation is just as sweet and fulfilling as ever! Fortunately, Maison Kayser has many locations throughout Paris. There's one near the Louvre, one near Musée d'Orsay, and one on Rue Monge. And if you can't go to any of them, you can always order your financier from their online shop instead!
Helmut New Cake
Helmut New Cake's almond-filled financier is simply to die for! Although this bakery in Paris has retained the pastry's signature simplicity, the addition of almond nuts gives it a more complex texture. Not to mention a deeper flavor as well. Typical financiers are still good, of course, but there's nothing wrong with adding more to it to give it a little kick. And fortunately, the almonds don't lessen the sweetness and the ease. They just make it a little crunchier. Of course, other bakeries in Paris have given their own spin on the financier cake, but not all of them have done it quite as successfully as Helmut New Cake.
Carl Marletti
Located in the
Latin Quarter, Carl Marletti's pâtisserie is a definitely must-try for foodies and sweet tooths alike. His shop offers chocolate confections, macarons, and of course, financiers too. Now, what makes Carl Marletti's financier cakes different from what other bakeries in Paris offer? Its overall simplicity. If you want to taste what this fascinating dessert is all about, this is your best bet. No toppings, no fillings, just the cake in all its vanilla glory. This may sound boring at first but in a food capital like Paris, a financier is a great palette cleanser for a dessert!
Stohrer
Just like Carl Marletti's, Stohrer financier cake is just as unfussy as you'd expect. Though the latter has a sleeker shape, it's simple and plain and all the tastiest ways. It's the perfect pastry to pair your morning
cup of coffee on the terrace or afternoon tea with. Or if you're in a hurry and in need of a quick bite, you can just plop it in your mouth and munch on it on the way. And if you're feeling a little adventurous, there's no stopping you from adding fruits, topping it with ice cream, and the like.
LIBERTÉ
LIBERTÉ is a chic boulangerie on Rue des Vinaigriers in the
10th arrondissement of Paris. It's the kind of trendy brunch place that's perfect for a mid-morning meal. And what do you get for brunch here? A financier, of course! LIBERTÉ offers up two delectable variations of the French pastry.
Financier Nature is the more standard kind while
Financier Pistachio/Framboises has both a nutty and fruity kick to it. Any will do to satisfy your sweet cravings so early in the day. Not to mention pair well during afternoon tea too!
A financier cake is a light and fluffy pastry that truly brings comfort with every bite. It may not be the most famous French party out there, but a goof bakery in Paris will show just how much of a treat this small but scrumptious cake really is!
