Let’s start right away with the pronunciation of this beautiful French dessert, Clafouti. Because, let’s face it, I’m not fluent in French. Not even close. And I don’t expect you to be, either.
So repeat after me:
“klah – foo – TEE“
Then say it one more time.
Very good. Now let’s move on.
I’ve been noticing this rustic looking sweet for a couple years now, in magazines and on the web, and have tucked away a few recipes that looked especially enticing. But when I came across the gorgeous photo of Cherry Clafouti in the book, Canning For a New Generation, I could take it no longer. It was destined to grace my kitchen counter. And my wide open mouth.
This Bing Cherry Clafouti with Sweet Almond Cream could not be simpler. Pitted sweet cherries are placed in the bottom of a buttered dish and then drowned in a milk and egg mixture. It rises up puffy like a souffle while baking in the oven, and then falls slightly as it cools on the counter. Right before serving, it gets a little dusting of powdered sugar.
This French dish proved fascinating to me. I found it stunning, yet humble, with the deep color of the cherries beautifully offset by the much paler golden batter. The clafouti was heavenly to eat, too, with its soft custard-like texture and luscious bites of whole sweet cherries. I preferred eating it warm and could be found eating it for breakfast, even though clafouti IS considered dessert. And I didn’t feel one bit guilty about it.
Traditionally, Clafouti is made with unpitted cherries. Baking purists insist on the delicate almond-like flavor that the pits impart. But I didn’t feel like fishing cherry pits out of my mouth while eating this, as was the consensus with most other recipes I found. Instead, I opted to add a touch of almond flavoring to some sweetened whipped cream and I topped off my piece of cherry deliciousness with that.
It was ohhhhh, so very lovely.
Bing Cherry Clafouti with Sweet Almond Cream
Ingredients
- FOR THE CHERRY CLAFOUTI:
- 2 T. unsalted butter at room temperature, divided
- ¼ c. plus 2 T. sugar divided
- 3 c. fresh pitted sweet Bing cherries* about 1 lb. large unpitted cherries
- ½ c. all-purpose flour
- pinch of kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ c. plain or vanilla yogurt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. grated orange zest
- 1 c. milk
- FOR THE SWEET ALMOND CREAM:
- 1 c. heavy whipping cream
- ¼ c. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Butter a 10″ pie pan with 1 tablespoon of the butter and sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Put the cherries in the pan, arranging them in a single layer.
- Sift the 1/4 cup of sugar, flour, and salt into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, vanilla, and orange zest until very smooth. Then whisk in the milk. Pour this egg mixture into the dry flour mixture, whisk to combine, and then pour over the cherries. Dot the surface with the remaining tablespoon of butter, and then sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake until puffy and golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
- Prepare your sweet almond cream by whipping it to a softly firm consistency. Add the powdered sugar and almond extract and whip for a few more seconds to combine.
- This clafouti really is best served warm and fresh, on the day it’s made. After the clafouti has had a chance to cool a bit, cut into pie-shaped wedges and add a dollop of soft and sweet almond cream to each slice.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
I’m linking up with the following:
Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (Watermelon)
Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Blueberry Cream Cheese Ice Cream)
Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday
Rachel at A Southern Fairytale for Mouthwatering Monday (Cranberry Orange Limeade)
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share opinions.
Great website, keep it up!
I’ve made clafouti with berries, but never with cherries. I’m sure it would be great with Bings, and I still have some from the farmer’s market, so thanks for the idea! Clafouti is a good, inexpensive dessert that’s actually fairly healthy with all the eggs and milk that’s in it. I never made a topping for it, though, sounds yummy though it does take a bit away from the ‘healthy dessert’ angle.
I don’t care about the pronunciation, lol… All i care about is how to do it cause it really looks delicious! Thank you for all these recipes. Keeping posting more!
I love clafouti for its luscious custardy goodness. the cherries look vibrantly red in this delicious looking dessert.
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I almost got lazy and didn’t make the whipped cream, but I buckled down and made it and am so, so glad I did. It was the perfect complement! My husband and kids loved it, too. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for letting me know, Toni – and nice to meet you! I’m so glad you liked this, too. And I’m also glad you buckled down and made the sweet almond cream. :)
sounds delicious
Mmm, delicious! I love clafoutis, but I haven’t tried it with cherries yet – can’t wait! I just made a raspberry one tonight, so yummy!
Thanks, Heidi! Raspberry Clafouti is next on my list!
This is beautiful! I love that you added almond flavouring the whipped topping and I love the way you wrote up this post.
This is beautiful! Ive never had a clafouti but my goodness I want to change this fact very soon indeed after seeing your gorgeous looking example :) easy too! wonderfullll
One of my very favorites from childhood! My grandmother used to make this for us when we would visit.
As I was making this, you actually came to mind several times. I wondered how true to form it would be from your eyes. This was so lovely, and nothing like I’ve ever made before. I’m smitten with clafouti!
Gorgeous! Just gorgeous! Along with VERY yummy looking too…I look forward to making your recipe soon :-)
Hi Avril – thanks! I’d love to know if you make this, and what you think.
Pitting the cherries definitely seems like the right way to go! This clafouti looks so delicious. And I love your pronunciation guide!
I realized when I was trying to relay this recipe to my mom, that I should probably include the pronunciation! So nice to hear from you again, Katie.
Adding this to the list of things to make with the huge bounty of cherries I got last week! It looks delicious, and I am definitely going to look for that book. Thanks!
Hi Toni – so nice to hear from you. I’d love to know what you think of this!
Oh my goodness… Brenda this looks incredible. What a delicious way to use up some Bing cherries! Well done :)
Thank you, my dear. I knew I was going to like this as I was making it, but I had no idea I would enjoy it so much. It was simply lovely.