Go Back
–+ servings
Print Recipe

Apple Friands with Ricotta

These Apple Friands are deliciously soft and light, filled with lemony ricotta and caramelised cinnamon apples. These little cakes are light, moist, packed with flavour and an absolute treat.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Servings: 12
Calories: 377kcal
Author: Georgina Hartley

Ingredients

Caramelised apples

  • 3 apples peeled, cored and diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • squeeze of lemon juice

Ricotta stuffing

  • 160 g ricotta
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Friands

  • 240 g icing sugar powdered sugar
  • 160 g ground almonds
  • 100 g gluten-free flour
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 200 g butter unsalted, melted, cooled
  • 180 g egg whites about 6 medium sized
Metric - US Customary

Instructions

Caramelised apples

  • Melt the 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan then add the icing sugar, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice and tip in the apple pieces.
  • Fry for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat just before the apples turn soft and leave to cool.

Ricotta stuffing

  • Mix the ricotta with the vanilla, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon icing sugar in a small bowl until smooth and set aside.

Friands

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 160°C fan assisted oven / gas mark 4 and butter a 12 hole friand tin (or muffin tin).
  • Mix the ground almonds with the flour, icing sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a separate bowl.
  • Whisk egg whites in another bowl until light and foamy.
  • Fold the egg whites into the almonds followed by the cooled melted butter.
  • Divide the batter between the friand moulds, then top with a spoonful of ricotta mixture. Finally add a few apple pieces to the top of each one.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 minutes then turn out and finish cooling on a wire rack.
  • Dust with icing sugar.

Notes

Apples. Granny smiths are a lovely apple to use for this recipe as they hold together well. Bramley apples also work too.
Flour. This recipe was tested using Doves Farm Plain White Gluten-Free Flour. However, you can use your favourite brand. You could also use my DIY Gluten-Free Flour Mix.

How to freeze

You can freeze these gluten-free friands by flash freezing them in a single layer on a baking tray for 8 hours. Once frozen transfer them all to a ziplock bag. You can then defrost one at a time. Allow to defrost completely at room temperature before serving.

Ingredient measurements

Please note that the US customary measurements for the ingredients provided are based on a conversion calculator. This recipe was tested with metric measurements and I recommend using a digital scale to weigh ingredients for the most accurate results.
READ MORE >>> Why you should always weigh vs measuring with cups 

Nutrition Information

Please note that the nutrition information provided below is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Please seek a professional nutritionist’s advice for further clarification.
The nutrition serving is for 1 friand. 

Nutrition

Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 560IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 0.9mg