Ina Garten’s Heavenly Apple Clafoutis Recipe Anyone Can Make

Apple clafoutis represents a delightful French dessert that transforms simple ingredients into culinary magic.

Sweet, tender apples nestled in a luxurious custard create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

Traditional baking techniques elevate this rustic treat from ordinary to extraordinary.

Soft, pillowy batter envelops fruit in a graceful dance of warmth and comfort.

Each bite promises a silky, custardy experience that melts effortlessly on your palate.

Light and airy, with subtle hints of spice and brightness, this dessert captures the essence of home-style baking.

Sophisticated yet unpretentious, apple clafoutis offers a charming alternative to standard fruit-based sweets: savor every spoonful.

Expert Advice for Apple Clafoutis Success

• Prep Ahead Magic: Mix the batter up to 2 hours before baking to enhance the custard's rich, smooth texture and develop deeper flavor notes.
• Apple Selection Matters: Choose firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance to the sweet custard.
• Slice Smart: Cut apples into uniform, thin wedges to ensure even cooking and create a beautiful, elegant presentation in each slice.
• Pan Performance: Use a ceramic or cast-iron baking dish to promote even heat distribution and create a beautifully golden, crisp exterior.
• Serving Perfection: Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to complement the clafoutis's delicate, custardy texture.

Store and Reheat Apple Clafoutis the Right Way

• Cooling Technique: Preserve the delicate texture by storing the clafoutis in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Place a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezing Strategy: Slice the clafoutis into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each slice separately in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container to maintain its delicate custard structure and prevent freezer burn.
• Reheating Trick: Thaw frozen clafoutis in the refrigerator overnight, then gently warm in a preheated oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. This method restores the dessert's original softness and prevents the edges from becoming tough or dried out.

Apple Clafoutis Variations to Spice It Up

• Pear Paradise: Swap apples with ripe, juicy pears for a delicate, smooth flavor profile that melts in your mouth.
• Berry Blissful Clafoutis: Replace apples with a mix of seasonal berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, tangy version.
• Caramel Cinnamon Dream: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the clafoutis and add extra ground cinnamon to create a rich, indulgent dessert that elevates the classic recipe.
• Nutty Almond Essence: Sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking and fold ground almonds into the batter for a crunchy, aromatic transformation that adds depth and texture.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Apple Clafoutis Special

• Rustic Elegance Dessert: Capture the sophisticated yet homey charm of this French-inspired apple clafoutis that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning, restaurant-quality treat.
• Effortless Culinary Magic: Create a professional-looking dessert with minimal technical skills, using basic whisking and layering techniques that guarantee impressive results every single time.
• Sensory Comfort Experience: Enjoy the warm, inviting blend of tender apples, creamy custard, and subtle hints of cinnamon and orange zest that provide a comforting and luxurious taste journey in every single bite.
• Quick Weeknight Indulgence: Whip up this delightful dessert in under an hour, making it perfect for spontaneous gatherings, relaxed family dinners, or when you need a quick sweet escape without complex preparation.

Everything You Need for Apple Clafoutis

• Butter: Greases the baking dish for easy release and adds rich flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dish and helps create a caramelized exterior.
• Flour: Provides structure and helps thicken the custard base.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Eggs: Creates a rich, custardy texture and helps bind the ingredients.
• Milk, Cream: Provides smooth, creamy consistency to the clafoutis.
• Vanilla Essence: Adds depth and classic sweet flavor to the dessert.

• Apples: Fresh, sweet fruit that becomes tender and caramelized during baking.
• Orange Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes to the dessert.
• Brandy or Cognac: Adds sophisticated depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet finishing touch when dusted on top.

How to Prepare Apple Clafoutis Easily

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grab a 10-inch baking dish and generously coat the interior with butter. Sprinkle sugar evenly across the buttered surface.

Step 2: Create Silky Batter Base

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar

Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, approximately 3 minutes.

Step 3: Blend Flavor Enhancers

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest
• Pinch of salt
• Brandy or cognac

Mix on low speed until ingredients are completely incorporated. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes to develop deeper flavors.

Step 4: Arrange Apple Layers

Carefully slice apples and arrange them in a single, elegant layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour the rested batter over the apple slices, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the custard sets and the top turns a beautiful golden brown. The clafoutis will rise dramatically during baking, then gently deflate after removal.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Allow the clafoutis to cool for 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Slice into 6-8 servings. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful dessert experience.

Concluding the Apple Clafoutis Journey

French culinary mastery shines through Ina Garten’s apple clafoutis, a delightful dessert that whispers elegance and comfort.

Classic techniques merge with seasonal apples, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that dance across palates.

Delicate custard embraces sliced apples, forming a luxurious canvas of culinary artistry.

Subtle hints of orange zest and brandy elevate this classic French dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

Home kitchens can easily recreate this sophisticated treat with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Passionate bakers: share this recipe, spark conversations in comments, and spread culinary joy with each delectable slice.

Ina Garten Apple Clafoutis Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

French countryside charm meets Ina Garten’s culinary finesse in this apple clafoutis. Delicate baked custard nestles ripe apples, offering a sublime dessert that whisks you to Provence with each velvety, golden-edged bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 2 small to medium-sized fresh apples, cored, peeled, and cut into slices
• ½ cup whipping cream
• 1 cup reduced-fat milk (1% or 2%, not fat-free)

Dry Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon + ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ scant teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Flavor Enhancers and Garnish:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• 1 fluid ounce (30 milliliters) cognac or brandy
• 1/8 cup confectioner’s sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Generously coat a 10-inch (25-centimeter) round baking dish with butter, then evenly dust the interior with granulated sugar.
3. Using an electric mixer, gently blend eggs with of granulated sugar until smooth and slightly frothy, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Gradually incorporate flour, ground cinnamon, whole milk, heavy cream, pure vanilla extract, fresh orange zest, kosher salt, and brandy or cognac into the egg mixture at low speed. Allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the ingredients to meld together.
5. Meticulously arrange apple slices in a single, overlapping layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an aesthetically pleasing pattern.
6. Pour the prepared batter over the apple slices, ensuring an even distribution. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the custard sets firmly and the surface achieves a golden-brown hue.
7. Remove from the oven and allow the clafoutis to cool and settle for 15 minutes. The dessert will naturally deflate during this time.
8. Delicately dust the surface with powdered sugar, slice into 6-8 elegant portions, and serve either warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Rest the custard batter at room temperature, giving ingredients time to blend and create a smoother texture.
• Select crisp, seasonal apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the most vibrant flavor profile.
• Slice apples uniformly to ensure consistent baking and an attractive presentation in each serving.
• Sprinkle powdered sugar just before serving to maintain its delicate, pristine white appearance.
• Allow the clafoutis to settle and cool, letting the custard develop a silky, luscious consistency that melts in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 205 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg