Classic Cherry Clafoutis Recipe
Published May 20, 2020. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This cherry clafoutis recipe is the perfect combination of elegant and comfort food combining fresh cherries cooked in a delicious flan.
You will always find something sweet in our fridge or freezer because we are huge dessert fans in this house. It could be a simple blackberry cobbler, or even a rice pudding, no matter what it is, we love or sweets.
Clafoutis
Pronounced cla-foo-tee, this classic French dessert is incredibly easy to make and nothing short of delicious. The clafoutis originated during the 19th century in Paris and quickly became popularized around France. It’s essentially a fresh cherry flan that is most frequently served and eaten warm.
Classically this recipe would use un-pitted cherries because the pit gives off an almond flavor that runs through the recipe of the dessert. Since cherries are a part of the stone fruit family, they also are in the same family as almonds, which is why this all happens. However, you can’t eat the pits which make cooking and especially eating, it this way a bit tedious. My recommendation is, pit the cherries.
How to Make It
Follow these easy instructions to make this clafoutis.
Toss the cherries in sugar and set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together the milk, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and eggs.
Butter your baking dish.
Add the cherries to the buttered dish and make sure they are flattened and not on top of each other.
Pour the batter over top of the cherries and bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool slightly, dust with powdered sugar and eat warm
How to Serve It
The most common way to eat a clafoutis is sprinkled with powdered sugar and cooled slightly after baking before eating it. Since this is essentially a flan, it can also be enjoyed cold. You will need to re-sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving if serving cold.
Clafoutis Variations
While this recipe is most traditionally served with fresh cherries, you can make some variations depending on availability and what’s in season. Here are some options:
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Apples
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 day in advance and you can either serve it cold or warmed, just reheat slightly before serving.
How to Reheat: Since this recipe is classically eaten warmed, wrap the clafoutis in foil and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until just warm.
How to Store: Cover with plastic and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This does not freeze well.
chef notes + tips
- You do not have to toss the cherries in sugar if they are sweet enough, however, if they are on the tart side then it is recommended.
- If you wanted to greatly enhance the flavor of this recipe you could sub the vanilla extract for vanilla bean seeds.
- You can bake this in a glass or ceramic coated tart dish, a cast-iron skillet, or a casserole-style dish.
- Make sure while whisking the batter that it is completely smooth. If you can’t get it this way blend in the blender for 20 seconds on high speed.
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Video
Classic Cherry Clafoutis Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups pitted fresh dark cherries
- 1 cup + 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ¾ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Rinse and pit the cherries and add them to a bowl along with 3 tablespoons of sugar and mix until coated. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk, remaining 1 cup of sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and eggs until completely combined and smooth.
- Butter a 9”-10” glass tart dish.
- Place the cherries flat into the tart pan and pour the batter over top and bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes or until browned around the edges, lightly browned on top and firm in the center.
- Cool slightly on a rack at room temperature and garnish with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 day in advance and you can either serve it cold or warmed, just reheat slightly before serving.
- How to Reheat: Since this recipe is classically eaten warmed, wrap the clafoutis in foil and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes or until just warm.
- How to Store: Cover with plastic and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This does not freeze well.
- You do not have to toss the cherries in sugar if they are sweet enough, however, if they are on the tart side then it is recommended.
- If you wanted to greatly enhance the flavor of this recipe you could sub the vanilla extract for vanilla bean seeds.
- You can bake this in a glass or ceramic coated tart dish, a cast-iron skillet, or a casserole-style dish.
- Make sure while whisking the batter that it is completely smooth. If you can’t get it this way blend in the blender for 20 seconds on high speed.
Chef Billy’s recipe is head over hills the one I made two weeks ago. The flan part came out beautifully. Not overly sweet, just a nice blend of flavors. I hope cherry season will stay around for another couple of weeks, because this will be requested by family again.
Fantastic!
Delicious and easy too! It did take longer to bake for me (about an hour) maybe cause I’m at sea level …Chef Billy is always my favourite go to for recipes and I always recommend him to my friends!
This was so easy to make and was delicious. I highly recommend it if want want something easy to make and will delight everyone.
This desert is easy and delicious. I’m not much of a baker, so I am always keeping my eyes open for an easy yet special desert. This is something that I will be serving to company for sure. Thank you!
Absolutely wonderful! The Mrs. has asked me to bake this for friends and family a few times since the first time…. Thank you, Chef Billy!!!
Could one use pie cherries..the not so weet kind?
no