I haven't seen this recipe in the U.S. or in Japan, but everyone is missing out on a fantastic dessert.

I first learned this at  Le Cordon Bleu and pull it out whenever I need a quick dessert to take to friends.

This recipes makes small mini cakes which can be cut and shared. Total prep time is about one hour - don't be put off on this since they are well worth it.


Ingredients

Egg whites 140 grams (about 3.5 eggs)

Sugar 80 grams

Flour 35 grams

Almond flour 165 grams

Butter 150 grams

Chocolate wafer cookies chopped

1. Lightly butter & flour each of the small pans. Recipe makes about 10.

2. Put the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat and melt until it becomes bubbly then frothy. Heat only until the butter is lightly browned - do not burn. Remove from the pan and cool.

3. In a bowl put the egg whites and start to whip with a mixer. Add  the sugar in portions and mix until stiff.

4. Sift the almond powder and flour together. Add this mixture to the egg whites and mix using a spatula.

5. Strain the butter to remove the grit at the bottom and gradually add to the flour mixture. Mix thoroughly before adding more butter.

6. Use a pastry bag (quick solution is plastic baggie) and neatly fill the tins to about 95% full.

7. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 15 - 20 minutes.

Chocolate Filling