French
👍 Beginner Friendly
15 mineasy
FrenchDessert
Recipe Story
origins & traditionsClafouti aux Cerises is a beloved traditional French dessert originating from the Limousin region. This simple yet elegant one-pot dessert features fresh cherries suspended in a light, custardy batter that puffs up beautifully as it bakes. The dessert strikes a perfect balance between a flan, pancake, and cake, with a slightly crisp exterior and creamy interior. Traditionally made with unpitted cherries to preserve maximum flavor, this version can be adapted to your preference. The batter, made from basic pantry ingredients, transforms into a golden, slightly sweet custard that complements the tart cherries perfectly. Dusted with powdered sugar and served warm or at room temperature, clafouti is the epitome of French home cooking—unpretentious, delicious, and deeply satisfying. It can be enjoyed as a dessert, breakfast treat, or afternoon snack with coffee.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9-inch pie dish or similar baking dish.
Wash and dry the cherries thoroughly. If desired, pit the cherries, though traditionally they are left whole with pits.
Arrange the cherries evenly in the bottom of the buttered baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon to the egg mixture and whisk to combine.
Gradually sift in the flour, whisking continuously to avoid lumps and create a smooth batter.
Slowly pour in the milk and melted butter, whisking until the batter is completely smooth and has a thin, pourable consistency similar to crepe batter.
Carefully pour the batter over the cherries in the baking dish, ensuring even coverage.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the clafouti is puffed, golden brown on top, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. The clafouti will deflate slightly as it cools, which is normal.
Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Clafouti aux Cerises
4.3 (26)
A rustic French cherry dessert with a custard-like batter baked until golden, combining the sweetness of fresh cherries with a delicate, pancake-style texture that is perfect for any occasion.
easy
55 min
6 servings
Ingredients
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Main
- 2 cups cherry, fresh, pitted or unpitted
Batter
- 3 pieces eggs, room temperature
- 3/4 cups flour, sifted
- 1 1/4 cups milk, whole milk preferred
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
- 1/3 cups honey
- 1 teaspoons vanilla-extract
- 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/8 teaspoons cinnamon, ground (optional)
Chef Tips
expert advice•For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe cherries when in season.
•Frozen cherries can be substituted but should be thawed and well-drained to prevent excess moisture.
•If leaving cherries unpitted, warn your guests as this is the traditional preparation.
•The batter can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before baking.
•For a richer dessert, substitute half the milk with heavy cream.
•A tablespoon of kirsch (cherry brandy) can be added to the batter for authentic French flavor.
•The clafouti is best enjoyed the day it is made but can be stored and gently reheated.
•Other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, plums, or apricots work beautifully in this recipe.
