Cherry Clafoutis Recipe

Rustic French Cherry Clafoutis Recipe: A Sweet Summer Delight

Nestled in the heart of french countryside, this cherry clafoutis blends rustic charm with delightful simplicity.

Sweet cherries burst with summer’s vibrant essence, creating a dessert that whispers pure elegance.

Culinary traditions from the limousin region inspired this classic treat, promising delectable moments of pure pleasure.

Soft, custardy textures mingle with juicy fruit, crafting a dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques make you feel like a confident pastry chef in your own kitchen.

Baking this clafoutis becomes an invitation to savor life’s simple, delicious pleasures.

Prepare to experience a slice of french culinary magic that will transport you straight to a sunny orchard.

Why Cherry Clafoutis Feels Fancy But Is Totally Easy

  • Craft a Classic Dessert: Master a traditional French recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning, restaurant-worthy treat with minimal professional cooking skills.
  • Celebrate Seasonal Cherries: Capture the peak of summer's fresh cherry harvest by creating a delightful dessert that highlights the fruit's natural sweetness and vibrant color.
  • Quick Breakfast or Dessert Chameleon: Versatile enough to serve as a decadent morning brunch item or an elegant after-dinner sweet that impresses guests without complex preparation.
  • Minimal Kitchen Equipment Needed: Requires only basic mixing bowl, whisk, and baking dish, making this recipe accessible for home cooks with limited culinary tools and experience.

The Must-Have Ingredients For Cherry Clafoutis

Main Ingredients:
  • Fresh Cherries: Sweet and juicy summer fruit that forms the heart of this classic French dessert.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the clafoutis batter.
  • Flour: Creates the tender base and helps bind the ingredients together.
Dairy Components:
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Add smoothness and create a luxurious, creamy texture to the dessert.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the entire dish and helps create a golden-brown surface.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provide depth and complementary flavors that highlight the cherries.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Powdered Sugar: Offers a delicate, decorative finishing touch to the dessert.
Baking Preparation:
  • Butter: Ensures the baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking and adds a rich flavor.

How To Make Cherry Clafoutis Without Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Generously coat a 9-inch baking dish with butter, making sure every corner is covered to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Fresh Cherries

Carefully wash the cherries and remove their pits. Spread the cherries evenly across the bottom of the buttered baking dish, creating a beautiful fruity base.

Step 3: Create Fluffy Egg Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk the eggs until they become light, airy, and wonderfully frothy. This creates a smooth foundation for your delicious clafoutis.

Step 4: Blend Flour Smoothly

Slowly add flour to the egg mixture, stirring continuously. Your goal is to create a silky-smooth batter without any pesky lumps.

Step 5: Add Creamy Liquids

Pour in milk and heavy cream, blending thoroughly. Mix until you achieve a perfectly uniform and velvety liquid consistency.

Step 6: Enhance Flavor Profile

Mix in these ingredients:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract
  • Salt

Whisk everything together until the ingredients are completely integrated and the mixture looks smooth.

Step 7: Layer Batter Over Cherries

Gently pour the liquid batter over the arranged cherries. Ensure an even distribution across the entire baking dish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, keeping an eye out for a beautiful golden-brown surface and a slightly puffy texture.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Remove the clafoutis from the oven. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes, which helps the dessert set and makes slicing much easier.

Step 10: Final Elegant Touch

Dust the top with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. This adds a delicate and elegant finishing touch to your spectacular dessert.

Top Tips For A Fluffy, Custardy Clafoutis

  • Pit Cherries with Ease: Use a paperclip or chopstick to quickly remove cherry pits without special tools.
  • Select Sweet Cherries: Choose ripe, dark cherries like Bing or Rainier for maximum flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Lightly coat cherries in flour before adding to the batter to help them stay suspended and prevent sinking.
  • Room Temperature Matters: Ensure eggs, milk, and cream are at room temperature for smoother, more consistent batter mixing.
  • Serve Fresh and Warm: Enjoy clafoutis immediately after cooling for the best texture and most delightful taste experience.

Tasty Ways To Change Up Your Cherry Clafoutis

  • Summer Berry Blast: Replace cherries with a mix of seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant and colorful dessert.
  • Tropical Paradise: Swap cherries for diced mangoes and pineapples, adding a splash of coconut milk to the batter for a tropical flavor profile.
  • Nutty Autumn Charm: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter and use caramelized apples instead of cherries for a warm, comforting variation.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the batter and scatter dark chocolate chunks alongside the cherries for an indulgent chocolate experience.

What To Serve With Cherry Clafoutis

  • Pair Sparkling Rosé Wine: Light, fruity bubbles complement the sweet cherries and delicate texture of the clafoutis, enhancing its dessert-like qualities.
  • Recommend French Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy, smooth vanilla provides a cold contrast to the warm clafoutis, creating a luxurious temperature and flavor balance.
  • Suggest Toasted Almond Garnish: Crunchy, nutty almonds add textural contrast and highlight the subtle almond extract in the recipe, bringing depth to each bite.
  • Serve Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Aromatic, delicate tea notes harmonize with the cherries and provide a sophisticated, refreshing accompaniment to the rich dessert.

How To Keep Cherry Clafoutis Fresh And Soft

  • Store the cooled cherry clafoutis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, preserving its delicate texture and fresh flavor.
  • Wrap the clafoutis tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, where it can be stored for up to 2 months without losing its quality.
  • Keep the clafoutis at room temperature for no more than 2 hours, covering it loosely with a clean kitchen towel to maintain its moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm the entire dish in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes, ensuring it doesn't become too dry or overcooked.

Cherry Clafoutis FAQs You’ll Want To Read

  • What is the origin of clafoutis?

This classic French dessert originates from the Limousin region in central France, traditionally made with black cherries and baked in a rustic, homestyle manner.

  • Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen cherries. Just thaw and pat them dry before arranging in the baking dish to prevent excess moisture from affecting the batter’s consistency.

  • Is clafoutis a cake or a custard?

Clafoutis is a unique French dessert that falls between a custard and a pancake, with a soft, custardy interior and a slightly puffy, golden exterior.

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Cherry Clafoutis Recipe

Cherry Clafoutis Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sweet French countryside charm meets delightful Cherry Clafoutis, showcasing ripe cherries nestled in a silky custard-like batter. Rustic elegance emerges from this classic Limousin dessert, promising pure culinary bliss in each delectable spoonful you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups fresh cherries
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Finishing Touches:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously butter a 9-inch baking dish, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Wash and pit the fresh cherries, then arrange them evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs until they become light and frothy, creating a smooth base for the batter.
  4. Gradually incorporate flour into the eggs, stirring continuously to eliminate any potential lumps and create a silky texture.
  5. Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream, blending thoroughly to achieve a uniform, velvety consistency.
  6. Add granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to the mixture, whisking until all ingredients are completely integrated.
  7. Gently pour the liquid batter over the arranged cherries, ensuring an even distribution throughout the baking dish.
  8. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and a slightly puffy texture.
  9. Remove from the oven and allow the clafoutis to cool for 10-15 minutes, which helps it set and makes slicing easier.
  10. Dust the top with powdered sugar just before serving, creating an elegant and delicate finishing touch.

Notes

  • Choose ripe, sweet cherries at peak season for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Pit cherries carefully to prevent accidental seed cracking during baking, which could create an unpleasant texture.
  • Experiment with different berry variations like blueberries or raspberries for a unique twist on the classic French dessert.
  • Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a more health-conscious version.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 170
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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