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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Generously coat a 10-inch (25-centimeter) round baking dish with butter, then evenly dust the interior with granulated sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, gently blend eggs with of granulated sugar until smooth and slightly frothy, approximately 3 minutes.
- 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.
- Meticulously arrange apple slices in a single, overlapping layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an aesthetically pleasing pattern.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and allow the clafoutis to cool and settle for 15 minutes. The dessert will naturally deflate during this time.
- 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