Figgy friands

MAKES 8 FRIANDS OR 12 MINI LOAVES PREP AND COOK TIME 55 MINUTES

6 egg whites 185g unsalted butter, melted 1½ cups (240g) icing sugar 1¼ cups (125g) almond meal (ground almonds) ½ cup (75g) plain flour 2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind 1 tablespoon orange juice 3 fresh ripe figs, cut into wedges (you may need more for the loaves) ⅓ cup (25g) flaked almonds icing sugar, to dust

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease an 8-hole (¾ cup/ 180ml) mini loaf pan or a 12-hole (½-cup/125ml) oval friand pan. 2 Whisk egg whites lightly in a medium bowl with a fork until combined. Add butter, sifted icing sugar, almond meal, flour, rind and juice; stir until combined. Divide mixture between pans. Divide fig wedges between tops of friands; sprinkle with flaked almonds. 3 Bake friands for about 30 minutes for the loaves and 20 minutes for the friands or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand for 5 minutes before turning, top-side up, onto a wire rack to cool. 4 Serve dusted with a little extra sifted icing sugar.

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave.