Blackberry friands

Makes 8-12

• 180g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 180g icing sugar
• 100g ground almonds
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 5 egg whites
• 60g blackberries

Step 1
Set the oven at 200C/gas mark 6.

Step 2
Put the butter in a small pan and melt over a moderate heat, then watch it carefully until it becomes a dark, nutty gold.

Step 3
Take great care not to let it burn.

Step 4
Leave it to cool a little.

Step 5
Sieve the flour and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl, then add the ground almonds.

Step 6
Add the lemon zest.

Step 7
Beat the egg whites to a soft foam – they shouldn't be able to stand up.

Step 8
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients then pour in the egg whites, together with the melted butter.

Step 9
Mix lightly but thoroughly, then pour into the buttered tins.

Step 10
Roughly chop the blackberries and drop into the tins.

Step 11
Bake for 10-15 minutes, remove from oven, then leave to settle before carefully removing from the tins with a palette knife.