You want to try making macarons or financiers by hand, but you don’t have almond powder! You may have no almond powder.
What is almond powder? I don’t have any… what should I do…😱😱😱
Also, you may not be able to find them in your local supermarket, or when you finally find them, you may hesitate to buy them because of their high price.
Many people are allergic to nuts and cannot eat them.
We would like to introduce some substitutes for almond powder, such as kinako (soybean flour) and potato starch, which can be substituted with familiar ingredients.
What is Almond powder? Characteristics and roles
Almond powder is unsalted almonds ground into a powder.
It appears frequently in baking recipes and is used to make cookies, tart dough, and cream.
Almond powder serves two main purposes.
- The oil in the almonds makes the surface crispy and the inside moist.
- It gives a savory aftertaste and an authentic taste.
Almond powder adds texture, flavor, richness, and authentic taste, but it is not a must! It adds texture, flavor, and richness, and it can be used to create an authentic taste, but it is not a must!
However, it can make the finished product taste bland and unsatisfying.
In particular, macaroons and financiers are sweets in which almond powder is the main ingredient, so something that can bring out texture and flavor is needed.
There are two types of almond powder, one with the skin and one without. The one without the skin is used for moistness and flavor without affecting the color of the finished pastry, while the one with the skin is used for more intense flavor.
Almond powder Substitutes
Almond powder can be moist or crispy.
Although it is indispensable for baking, it can be substituted for other familiar ingredients such as potato starch.
Here are recommended substitutes for five typical confections that use almond powder.
If you’re ever in need of help, I’m sure you’ll find it helpful!
macaroon
Macaroons are crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside.
Substitute “kinako” or “kinako + ground sesame seeds”.
The addition of ground sesame seeds will make the macaroons more moist, so it is recommended to combine soybean flour and ground sesame seeds in the ratio you prefer.
In both cases, replace the same amount of almond powder.
The use of soybean flour also reduces the sweetness.
snowball
These snowballs have a delicious crunchy and flaky texture.
Substitute “potato starch,” “cornstarch,” “okara powder,” “cashew flour. ” can be substituted for these.
They all have a light flavor, so adding salad oil or ground sesame seeds will make them savory, smooth, and more palatable.
In both cases, substitute the same amount of almond powder.
financier (type of pastry)
This financier is characterized by the savory aroma of almonds.
Substitute katakuriko (potato starch) and kinako (soybean flour).
The outside will be crispy and the inside will be moist.
Substitute the same amount of almond powder.
Since potato starch alone lacks flavor, add a small amount of sesame oil or ground sesame seeds for a savory finish.
pound cake
Pound cake has a rich, moist texture.
Substitute “kinako” or “pancake mix.
Substitute the same amount of almond powder.
Both will give a moist baked result, but the kinako will give a more savory flavor.
Pancake mix contains a good balance of baking powder and other leavening flours, oils, and sweeteners, so it is easy to make.
tart
The crunchy texture of this tart matches a variety of ingredients.
Substitute “flour,” “pancake mix,” and “ground sesame seeds.
Since it has a light flavor, it is recommended to pair it with a filling such as a hearty cream filling.
Extra! Okara Powder is also recommended
We also recommend substituting okara powder for almond powder, although few people always have it on hand, like almond powder.
It is high in dietary fiber and high-quality protein, and is a healthy and filling meal.
Easy! How to make almond powder
I have almonds on hand! Why don’t you take the plunge and make them by hand?
It is very easy to make. You can make it by following the steps below.
Prepare:
✔ Almonds only
(* Can also be made with peanuts, cashews, etc.)
How to:
- Boil almonds for 3 minutes and peel while hot.
- Dry fry almonds in a frying pan.
- Pulverize in a food processor or mortar and pestle to make a powder.
It is very easy to make, so if you are interested, please try it!
What is not a substitute for almond powder
Almond essence
This is used to flavor almonds and add flavor.
It has no oil content, so it cannot be as crispy or moist as almond powder.
It can be used in conjunction with the substitutes previously mentioned to add almond flavor.
Walnuts and walnut flour
These are savory walnuts, but they are oily and bitter and are not a good substitute.
Advantages of using almond powder substitute
Advantages include
- An ingredient that is sold everywhere and easy to obtain.
- Less expensive than almond powder.
- Can consume ingredients you have on hand.
- Avoids allergies.
It may seem a bit daunting to make macarons or financiers by hand, but many households probably have ground sesame and potato starch on hand.
The aroma of soybean flour and sesame seeds and the crispy, flaky texture of potato starch add a different flavor to the recipe, and may even make it more delicious and to your liking.
You can enjoy sweets that you thought you could not eat due to nut allergy, if you make them by hand.
Summary
✔ Using almond powder makes the surface crispy due to the oil of almonds, moist inside, and flavorful with the aroma of almonds.
✔ Almond powder and almond powder are the same thing.
✔ Almond powder is something that does not need to be added, but it loses its richness and flavor and becomes bland.
✔ Substitutes for almond powder include. (soybean flour, ground sesame, potato starch, flour, cornstarch, pancake mix)
✔ Adding soybean flour or ground sesame seeds and sesame oil improves the aroma, texture and flavor.
✔ Advantages of using substitutes are: ingredients that are sold everywhere and easy to obtain, cheaper than almond powder, use of ingredients that are always on hand, and avoiding allergies.