Poppy seed and lemon friands

Makes 12

• 180g butter
• 50g plain flour
• 180g icing sugar
• 100g ground almonds
• 0 lemon
• 3 tbsp poppy seeds
• 5 egg whites

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

Step 2
Melt the butter in a small pan and set aside.

Step 3
Sieve the flour and the icing sugar into a wide mixing bowl.

Step 4
Add the ground almonds and the lemon zest.

Step 5
Stir in the poppy seeds.

Step 6
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites till foamy.

Step 7
Shape a shallow well in the centre of the flour and sugar mixture then pour in the egg whites and the melted, but not hot, butter.

Step 8
Mix gently, making certain there are no floating pieces of egg white foam, then spoon into the buttered tins.

Step 9
Bake for 12 minutes, remove from the oven, then leave to settle before carefully removing from the tins with a palette knife.