Sour Cherry Clafouti — the French cherry clafoutis classic
Sour cherry clafouti is the canonical French summer dessert: a shallow dish of dark sour cherries baked in a thick eggy batter that bakes into a soft custard cake. The traditional Limousin version keeps the stones in — they perfume the cake with a subtle almond note as it bakes.
i. Origin & history
Clafouti is a Limousin specialty dating from the 19th century. The name comes from the Occitan claufir, to fix or stick — describing the way the batter holds the fruit. The Académie Française has, very seriously, debated whether the cherries must keep their stones (yes, traditionally).
ii. Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 500 g sour cherries (or sweet cherries, pitted)
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g caster sugar
- 60 g plain flour
- Pinch salt
- 300 ml whole milk
- 30 g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp kirsch (optional)
- Icing sugar to dust
iii. Method
- Heat oven to 180 °C. Butter a 25 cm baking dish; dust with sugar.
- Scatter cherries in the dish.
- Whisk eggs, sugar, flour and salt smooth. Whisk in milk, butter, vanilla and kirsch.
- Pour over cherries. Bake 30-35 min until puffed and just-set. Cool 15 min; dust with icing sugar; serve warm.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Pitted version for modern convenience. Stone-in version for traditional almond perfume (warn diners). Limousin-style is the canonical sweet-cherry version. Flaugnarde uses other fruit.
vi. Common questions
What is sour cherry clafouti?
Sour Cherry Clafouti is the french cherry clafoutis classic, from french cuisine. The traditional Limousin version keeps the stones in — they perfume the cake with a subtle almond note as it bakes
Where is sour cherry clafouti from?
Sour Cherry Clafouti is from the french dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does sour cherry clafouti keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 2 days refrigerated.