Ina Garten’s Perfect Cherry Clafoutis Recipe: Sweet Summer Joy

Clafoutis transforms ordinary cherries into a rustic, elegant French dessert that whispers summer memories.

Sweet, plump fruits nestle in a silky custard-like batter promising pure culinary magic.

Traditional baking techniques blend simple ingredients into something far more extraordinary than their individual components.

Each spoonful carries delicate layers of comfort and sophistication, creating an experience that transcends typical fruit desserts.

The classic preparation celebrates seasonal bounty with minimal fuss and maximum flavor impact.

Soft, tender textures contrast brilliantly against bursts of juicy fruit, making this dessert both comforting and refined.

Home bakers can easily master this deceptively simple yet impressive French countryside classic.

Why Cherry Clafoutis Is Worth Making

• Whip Up a Rustic French Dessert: This cherry clafoutis brings the charm of French countryside cooking right to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
• Savor Simple Seasonal Elegance: The recipe transforms fresh summer cherries into a stunning dessert that looks impressive but requires surprisingly little technical skill.
• Create a One-Pan Wonder: By using a single skillet or baking dish, you'll minimize cleanup while enjoying a delectable dessert that goes from stovetop to oven with ease.

What You’ll Need for Cherry Clafoutis

• Cherries: Sweet summer fruit that provides natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dessert, with ripe and firm cherries recommended for best texture.

• Eggs, Milk, Cream: Crucial for creating smooth, rich custard base that binds the clafoutis together, with whole milk and fresh eggs preferred.

• Sugar, Flour, Salt: Foundational dry ingredients that provide structure, sweetness, and balance to the dessert, with all-purpose flour and granulated sugar ideal.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps prevent sticking in the skillet or baking dish.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provide depth and complementary aromatic notes that enhance the cherry flavor.

• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting adds visual appeal and subtle extra sweetness to the dessert.

How to Bake Cherry Clafoutis the Ina Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Slide the oven rack to the middle position. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C). Select a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or oven-safe baking dish.

Step 2: Create Butter Base

Gently melt butter in the selected pan over medium heat. If using a baking dish, place butter inside and melt in the preheating oven.

Step 3: Arrange Fresh Cherries

Spread cherries in an even, beautiful layer across the buttered surface of the pan.

Step 4: Craft Silky Batter

• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Kosher salt
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Pour and Cover Cherries

Slowly pour the luxurious batter over the arranged cherries, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 6: Initial Baking

Slide the pan into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the edges start to set and slightly rise.

Step 7: Add Final Sugar Touch

Sprinkle remaining sugar evenly across the clafoutis surface.

Step 8: Complete Baking

Return to the oven. Bake an additional 25-30 minutes until golden brown and center is perfectly set. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Allow clafoutis to rest on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve directly from the pan while warm.

Helpful Hints for Cherry Clafoutis Success

• Pit Cherries with Precision: Use a cherry pitter or a paperclip to remove seeds quickly and cleanly without crushing the delicate fruit.
• Select the Right Baking Dish: Choose a wide, shallow ceramic or cast-iron pan to ensure even cooking and a beautiful golden-brown surface.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar Strategically: Sprinkle confectioners' sugar just before serving to prevent it from dissolving and maintain a fresh, decorative look.
• Serve at the Perfect Temperature: Enjoy the clafoutis warm or at room temperature to experience its custardy texture and rich flavors.
• Customize with Seasonal Variations: Experiment with different stone fruits like apricots or plums when cherries are out of season for a delightful twist.

The Best Way to Store Cherry Clafoutis

• Refrigerator Method: Protect the delicate texture by placing the clafoutis in a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the dessert away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate cherry flavor. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and freshness.
• Freezing Method: Slice the clafoutis into individual portions before freezing to make thawing easier and prevent texture damage. Wrap each slice in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen clafoutis will keep perfectly for up to 1 month, though best enjoyed within 2 weeks.

Cherry Clafoutis with a Twist

• Berry Bliss Clafoutis: Swap cherries with a mixed berry medley of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant, tangy version that bursts with summer flavors.
• Tropical Paradise Clafoutis: Replace cherries with diced mangoes and pineapples, adding a splash of coconut milk to the batter for a Hawaiian-inspired dessert that transports you to a sunny beach.
• Spiced Autumn Clafoutis: Use roasted cinnamon-spiced apples or pears instead of cherries, and mix in a pinch of nutmeg and cardamom to create a warm, comforting fall-inspired treat that feels like a cozy sweater.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream Clafoutis: Fold in dark chocolate chunks with the cherries and sprinkle cocoa powder into the batter for a rich, decadent dessert that satisfies serious chocolate cravings.

Your Clafoutis Recap

French culinary magic blooms with Ina Garten’s cherry clafoutis, a delightful dessert celebrating summer’s sweet bounty.

Classic techniques merge with rustic charm in this simple yet elegant French countryside recipe.

Mediterranean cherries nestled beneath silky custard create pure sensory delight.

Seasonal ingredients whisper stories of French provincial kitchens and generations of passionate baking.

Home cooks can master this elegant dessert with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

Complex taste profiles emerge from humble ingredients, making this clafoutis a culinary masterpiece that calls you to savor each sublime bite, share its magic on social media, and spread delicious inspiration through your favorite cooking communities.

Ina Garten Cherry Clafoutis Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cherry clafoutis brings French countryside charm to your dessert table. Buttery batter envelops ripe cherries, creating a luscious custard-like treat that melts effortlessly on your palate with delightful rustic elegance.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2½ cups (12 ounces/340 grams) cherries, stemmed and pitted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup whole or 2% milk
• ½ cup all-purpose flour spooned into a measuring cup and leveled off

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

Flavor Enhancers and Finishing Touches:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare your oven by setting the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and positioning the rack in the center of the oven.
2. Select a 10-inch cast-iron or nonstick oven-safe skillet and melt the butter over medium heat. Alternatively, use a 2-quart baking dish and melt the butter in the preheating oven.
3. Distribute the cherries uniformly across the bottom of the skillet or baking dish, creating an even layer of fruit.
4. Combine eggs, milk, cream, of sugar, flour, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a blender. Process until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
5. Gently cascade the liquid batter over the arranged cherries, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, then delicately sprinkle the remaining of sugar across the surface.
7. Continue baking for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the clafoutis sets and develops a golden-brown complexion. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife into the center – it should emerge clean.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the dessert to cool on a wire rack for approximately 30 minutes. Optional: dust with powdered sugar before serving directly from the pan.
9. Store any remaining portions in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave when ready to enjoy.

Notes

• Select perfectly ripe, deep-burgundy cherries bursting with natural sweetness and intense flavor.
• Minimize added sugar by tasting cherries first and adjusting sweetness levels in the batter accordingly.
• Consider leaving cherry pits intact during baking to enhance the traditional French dessert’s authentic rustic taste.
• Ensure even distribution of cherries throughout the batter by gently folding them in with a spatula.
• Allow clafoutis to rest and settle for 10-15 minutes after baking, helping the delicate custard-like texture to stabilize and set beautifully.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg