How to Make Delicious Cherry Clafoutis: A Simple Guide
Cherry clafoutis (pronounced kla-foo-TEE) is a classic French dessert that’s simple to make and absolutely delicious. It’s made with juicy cherries baked in a creamy, custard-like batter. The best part? You don’t need to be a professional chef to make this dish! In this blog post, we’ll take you step by step through creating a mouthwatering cherry clafoutis that will impress your family and friends. Let’s dive in!
What is Cherry Clafoutis?
Cherry clafoutis is a rustic dessert from the Limousin region of France. It’s traditionally made with black cherries, whole and unpitted (though many modern recipes substitute pitted cherries). The cherries are baked in a batter that’s somewhere between pancake and custard, and the result is soft, lightly sweet, and utterly irresistible.
This dessert is a wonderful treat for any occasion, whether it’s a weekend family meal or a dinner party with guests. Plus, it’s easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients for this recipe:
- 2 cups (300 grams) fresh cherries (pitted or unpitted)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk (use whole milk for creaminess)
- 1/2 cup (65 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Butter (to grease your baking dish)
Note: If you don’t have fresh cherries, you can use frozen cherries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them first. You can also experiment with other fruits like blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries if cherries aren’t available.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish (around 9 inches or similar) with butter. This will prevent the clafoutis from sticking and add extra flavor.
2. Prepare the Cherries
Rinse your cherries well and remove the stems. If you prefer to pit them, it’s up to you. Some purists say that leaving the pits in enhances the flavor, but for easier eating, most people remove the pits. Spread the cherries evenly across the bottom of your greased baking dish.
3. Make the Batter
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy. Add the vanilla extract and salt, then slowly pour in the milk while whisking to combine. Finally, sift in the flour and gently whisk until the batter is smooth and lump-free. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
4. Assemble the Clafoutis
Pour the batter over the cherries in the baking dish. The cherries will sink slightly, which is exactly what you want. Don’t worry—they’ll remain evenly spaced as the clafoutis bakes.
5. Bake the Clafoutis
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes. The clafoutis is done when the edges puff up and turn golden, and the center looks set but still slightly soft. You can check by inserting a toothpick; if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your clafoutis is ready.
6. Cool and Serve
Once baked, let the clafoutis cool for about 10 minutes. It will settle and become even more creamy as it cools. Dust the top with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.
You can serve clafoutis warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you want to make it extra special.
Tips for Success
- Use ripe cherries: The sweeter your cherries, the better your clafoutis will taste. If your cherries aren’t very sweet, you can add a tablespoon of extra sugar to the batter.
- Don’t overbake: Baking too long can make the clafoutis dry. Keep an eye on it in the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve the perfect texture.
- Experiment with flavors: Enhance the recipe by adding a splash of almond extract for a deeper flavor, or sprinkle slivered almonds on top for added crunch.
Why You’ll Love Cherry Clafoutis
This dessert is the perfect balance of simplicity and elegance. It’s not overly sweet, so the natural flavor of the cherries really shines. It’s light enough to enjoy after a heavy meal, yet satisfying enough to feel indulgent.
Best of all, cherry clafoutis is versatile! You can enjoy it with your morning coffee, as an afternoon treat, or as a dinner party dessert. And because it’s so simple, you can whip it up whenever you’re craving something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Making cherry clafoutis is a great way to turn a handful of basic ingredients into something truly magical. It’s easy to prepare, quick to bake, and endlessly delicious. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is sure to become one of your favorites.
So why not give it a try? Grab some fresh cherries, preheat your oven, and get ready to impress everyone with your homemade cherry clafoutis. Enjoy!
