Fresh Cherry Clafoutis Vanilla Bean (Printable Version)

Juicy cherries baked in a silky vanilla bean custard for a rustic French summer dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 400 g (about 2 1/2 cups) fresh sweet cherries, pitted

→ Custard

02 - 3 large eggs
03 - 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
04 - 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
05 - 80 g (2/3 cup) all-purpose flour
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 250 ml (1 cup) whole milk
08 - 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream
09 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled

→ For the Pan and Finishing

10 - Butter for greasing
11 - 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Butter a 24 cm (9–10-inch) round baking dish or pie dish.
02 - Spread the pitted cherries evenly over the bottom of the prepared dish.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until pale and slightly thickened.
04 - Add the vanilla seeds and whisk in the flour and salt until smooth.
05 - Gradually whisk in the milk, cream, and melted butter until the batter is well combined and free of lumps.
06 - Pour the batter evenly over the cherries in the baking dish.
07 - Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the clafoutis is puffed, lightly golden, and just set in the center.
08 - Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The soft custard and tart cherries create a dreamy texture that always wins compliments at the table.
  • Minimal effort turns humble ingredients into something rustic yet elegant, ready in under an hour.
02 -
  • I once rushed and forgot to let the clafoutis cool; cutting in too soon leaves you with a runny mess.
  • Switching to unpitted cherries brought out a subtle almond note I’d never noticed before—worth the extra effort if serving adults.
03 -
  • Sifting the flour into the wet mix avoids dreaded lumps and ensures a delicate crumb.
  • If you want deeper flavor, brown the butter before adding—it adds a subtle nuttiness that guests will try to guess.
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