Recipes

Sweet Cherry Clafoutis

Name: Sweet Cherry Clafoutis
Total time: 180 min
Ingredients: 1 pound sweet cherries, pitted and patted dry with paper towels; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest; 1/2 cup flour, plus more for dusting; Pinch of salt; 3 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 cups milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the dish; 2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Confectioners' sugar for dusting

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Most chefs in France's Limousin region say that this creamy cake tastes best made with unpitted cherries. If this is too rustic for you, pit the cherries, roll them in sugar and freeze them; the frozen sugar grains seal the fruit, so juice doesn't stain the batter. Purists insist on local black cherries, but Paula Wolfert thinks you can use any bold-flavored fruit, like apricots or plums.Plus: More Dessert Recipes and Tips

By Paula Wolfert

Updated on February 13, 2019

Sweet Cherry Clafoutis — Photo: © Frances Janisch

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

3 hrs

Yield:

6 to 8

Ingredients

1 pound sweet cherries, pitted and patted dry with paper towels
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup flour, plus more for dusting
Pinch of salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the dish
2 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

In a bowl, toss the cherries with 3 tablespoons of the granulated sugar and the lemon zest. Spread the cherries out on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 1/2 hours.
Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk the 1/2 cup flour and salt. Whisk in the eggs. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of the milk with 3 tablespoons of the butter until the butter melts. Whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture just until smooth. Whisk in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk. Add the Cognac and vanilla, cover and let rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°. Butter a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate and dust with flour. Spread the cherries in a single layer in the pie plate, adding any sugar from the baking sheet to the cherries. Whisk the batter again and pour it over the cherries.
Bake the clafoutis just above the center of the oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is just set and golden. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of butter. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar, cut into wedges and serve.