Vanilla vodka berries with warm almond friands

Preparation Time 15 minutes
Cooking Time 20 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)
* 1 x 500g pkt frozen mixed berries (Creative Gourmet brand)
* 60ml (1/4 cup) vanilla-flavoured vodka
* 2 tsp finely shredded fresh mint
* Creme fraiche, to serve
Almond friands
* Melted butter, to grease
* 185g (1 1/2 cups) icing sugar mixture
* 150g (1 cup) plain flour
* 100g (1 cup) almond meal
* 5 egg whites
* 180g butter, melted
* 1 tbs flaked almonds


Method
1. Place the berries and vodka in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 2 hours to infuse.
2. To make almond friands, preheat oven to 200°C. Brush eight 125ml (1/2-cup) capacity oval friand pans with melted butter to grease. Place on a baking tray.
3. Combine the icing sugar, flour and almond meal in a large bowl. Add the egg whites and butter and stir until just combined. Spoon the batter among prepared pans. Sprinkle with almonds.
4. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean. Set aside in pans for 5 minutes. Turn onto a wire rack to cool slightly.
5. Add mint into the berry mixture and stir to combine. Serve warm friands with mixed berries and creme fraiche.

Source
Australian Good Taste - Page 123
Recipe by Sarah Hobbs