Step 1

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line 12-hole (½-cup/125ml) oval friand pan with paper cases.

Step 2

Finely grate rind from mandarins (you will need 2 tablespoons of rind). Juice the mandarins (you will need 2 tablespoons of juice).

Step 3

Combine poppy seeds and juice in small jug and let stand for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Place egg whites in medium bowl and whisk lightly with fork until combined. Add butter, almond meal, sifted icing sugar and flour, rind and poppy seed mixture, stir until combined.

Step 5

Divide mixture among paper cases. Bake about 20 minutes. Stand friands in pan 5 minutes before turning, top-side up, onto wire rack to cool. Serve lightly dusted with sifted icing sugar.