The recipe for clafoutis began in the Limousin, an agricultural area in the centre of France known for its abundant cherry harvest. Fresh cherries were the main ingredient in the original Clafoutis Limousin though almost any seasonal fresh fruit can be used. The end result belies how easy it is to make this delectable French dessert.
The batter is prepared in a small bowl using an electric mixer, then poured into a buttered pie plate and oven-baked. The clafouti puffs up while cooking, then falls slightly when removed from the oven.
In France, the cherry pits are not removed before baking.
Recipe for Easy Raspberry Clafouti
Fresh, rather than frozen raspberries are best for this effortless summertime dessert recipe. Serve with an elegant, easy to make cocktail like French Kir or Kir Royal.
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- unsalted butter to grease baking dish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Beat with electric mixer until foamy.
- Add milk, vanilla, sifted flour, sugar, nutmeg and pinch of salt. Beat again until smooth.
- Pour batter into buttered 9” ovenproof dish or pie plate. Sprinkle raspberries over batter.
- Place in oven and bake 40-45 minutes. Batter should rise and turn golden when done.
Remove raspberry clafouti from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, a fine powdery sugar also known as icing or powdered sugar, before serving. Makes 8 portions.
Recipe for Easy French Peach Clafouti
Fresh peaches in season are the focus of this summer dessert. For extra rich flavour, add a tablespoon of French cognac or peach liqueur to the milk.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 3 fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced
- unsalted butter to grease baking dish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Beat with electric mixer until foamy.
- Add milk, vanilla, sifted flour, sugar, nutmeg and pinch of salt. Beat again until smooth.
- Pour batter into buttered 9-inch ovenproof dish or pie plate. Scatter peaches over batter.
- Place in oven and bake 40-45 minutes. Batter should rise and turn golden when done.
Remove peach clafouti from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Dust with confectioner’s sugar before serving. Makes 8 portions.
Recipe for Fall Fresh Fig Clafouti
Fresh figs arrive by late summer and early fall. Take advantage of their delectable flavour with this easy to make, rich-tasting dessert clafouti.
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- Pinch salt
- 20 small fresh green or black figs cut in half lengthwise
- butter to grease baking dish
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl. Beat with electric mixer until foamy.
- Add milk, vanilla, sifted flour, sugar and pinch of salt. Beat again until smooth.
- Arrange figs artfully, cut side up, in buttered 9-inch ovenproof dish or pie plate. Pour batter carefully over figs.
- Place in oven and bake 40-45 minutes. Batter should rise and turn golden when done.
Remove clafouti from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Serve with whipped cream if desired. Makes 8 portions of fig clafoutis.
More French Recipes
An easy oven-baked dinner option is delicious Tuna Nicoise Casserole, with black olives and the flavours of traditional French herbs. Another easy dessert recipe is chestnut and chocolate truffles, a classic French combination.
Resource Credits
This article was researched using information from Country Cooking of France by Anne Willan and International Cooking Magazine.
Heather Zorzini - Heather Zorzini's stories, essays and photographs have appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto's NOW Magazine and ...
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