Did you know – today, February 23rd, is Canada’s Cupcake Day – raising money for the Ontario SPCA. That’s right – today is all about cupcakes – and raising money to help animals in need all around Canada.
What is Cupcake Day?
Originally launched by the RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, National Cupcake Day began in Canada in 2013, and the initiative has grown across the country year after year. Cupcake Day is a fundraiser in support of the Ontario SPCA to help animals in need in communities across Ontario. As a registered charity that does not receive government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to help animals in need. By taking part in Cupcake Day, you are providing urgently needed care and shelter for animals waiting to find a loving home.
How am I helping animals in need?
This is my 14th year participating (in 2021 and 2022, I offered online classes in support of the cause and in 2023, I did “Cake My Day,” raising money for the Toronto Humane Society), and I am hopeful that sharing this recipe might raise enough funds to get me to my modest fundraising goal.
(want to help out? You can donate to my “online bakeshop” to raise money for the OSPCA – here, and you’ll get this recipe in exchange for a donation!)
What have I baked up this year?
This year I have baked a super simple but festive recipe – one of my favourite French treats – financiers! I love this recipe (as is evidenced by the many posts I have written about them) because they are so simple to make, use pantry staples and always get a “wow” from the recipients! Lucky folks who donate to my fundraiser this year will get the recipe!
What is a financier?
It’s a small tea cake made with almond meal and only a small quantity of all-purpose flour. A financier is a little more substantial than a madeleine. Because they only contain a little bit of flour, they are easy to make gluten-free.
Why are they called “financiers”?
Financiers are a popular after-school (or anytime!) snack in France, typically small rectangular-shaped tea cakes made with almond flour. A version of them was originally baked in an oval shape by nuns of the Order of the Visitation and the cakes were called visitandines.
A clever baker working in Paris’s financial district in the 19th century saw how these cakes could be easily eaten on the go, and thought this would appeal to his busy banker clientele. He shaped the cakes like gold bars and named them financiers as a nod to both his clientele and the surrounding district.
They now come in various shapes, including rectangles and ovals. I like to use a mini-muffin pan (<<< affiliate link but I love these!) because they work well to give you a good crunchy exterior/ fluffy interior ratio. Plus, most people have a mini-muffin pan (certainly more than have cake pans shaped like gold bars!).
Are financiers gluten-free?
Typically financiers are made with almond flour and a little all-purpose (plain) flour. This recipe uses almond meal and a couple of tablespoons of all-purpose flour but you can easily substitute a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Want the recipe? Help me support animals in need!
Today, I’m sharing the recipe in exchange for donations. If you’d like to help, just head to my personal page on the Cupcake Day website, where you will be able to donate to the cause. For every donation I receive, I’ll send along the recipe for you to make and enjoy at home!
Donations will be directed towards the OSPCA to help animals in need. Go on, the cats and dogs of Canada will thank you 
Other cupcakes you might also enjoy:
National Cupcake Day 2013: Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2014: Jaffington Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2015: Little Orange and Almond Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2016: Jam and Cream Butterfly Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2017: Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2018: Double Chocolate Buckwheat Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2019: Fudge-y Chocolate Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2020: Lemon-Blueberry Financiers
2021 and 2022: Online classes in support of National Cupcake Day
Cake My Day 2023: Two-Bite Brownies
Cupcake Day 2024: Fudgey Chocolate Mint Brownie Cupcakes
Cupcake Day 2025: Carrot Cake Cupcakes
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Both Cleo (21yrs) and Cole (4yrs and counting) came from the Humane Society (Toronto and Etobicoke, respectively) – so happy to donate. 🙂
These are so cute, they reminded me of your fairy bread! I enjoyed the financiers Ted made with you online, I should try some again x