French Pastry Guide
What is a Financier?
A beloved French delicacy with a rich history and irresistible taste
A financier (pronounced "fee-nahn-see-ay") is a small French pastry that's crispy on the outside and incredibly moist on the inside. Made with ground almonds, brown butter, and egg whites, these bite-sized treats are a staple of French patisseries.
A Rich History
Financiers were originally created by nuns of the Order of Visitation in the 17th century. Back then, they were oval-shaped and called "visitandines."
In the 19th century, a Parisian pastry chef named Lasne transformed them near the Paris Stock Exchange. He changed the shape to rectangles, resembling gold bars — and renamed them "financiers" after the bankers who loved them.
What Makes Them Special
Brown Butter
Nutty, caramelized butter that gives financiers their signature rich flavor
Ground Almonds
Creates a delicate, moist texture and subtle nutty sweetness
Egg Whites
Light and airy structure with a crispy, golden crust
Our Special Twist
At Lina's Bakery, we make our financiers with rice flour instead of wheat flour, making them 100% gluten-free while maintaining that perfect crispy-outside, moist-inside texture. Our Japanese-inspired flavors — Matcha, Cinnamon Pecan, Chocolate Chip, and Coconut — bring a unique twist to this French classic.
See Our Flavors