Description
Apricot Clafoutis is a smooth and luscious French dessert featuring a custard-like batter baked with fresh apricots. The batter, similar to pancake batter, yields a flan-like texture that is firm yet tender. The apricots are arranged decoratively on top before baking, and the dessert is finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this elegant dish combines the natural sweetness of apricots with a creamy, lightly sweetened custard base.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1 lb Apricots, pitted (about 7-8 medium)
Custard Batter
- 3 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter, melted and cooled to just warm
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 tsp Lemon or orange zest (optional)
Other
- Butter as needed, for greasing the pan
- Powdered sugar, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9-inch circular pie dish or any similarly sized oven-safe shallow dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the apricots: Quarter the apricots and remove their seeds. Arrange the sliced apricots decoratively in the buttered dish and set aside.
- Make the batter: In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and whisk a few times to break the yolks. Add the granulated sugar and whisk until the sugar is fully incorporated. Then add salt, vanilla extract, melted warm butter, and the lemon or orange zest if using. Mix well.
- Add flour and milk: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Slowly whisk in the whole milk until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine and pour: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged apricots in the dish, ensuring the fruit is covered and submerged in the custard.
- Bake the clafoutis: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are golden and the clafoutis is mostly set but might still be slightly wobbly in the center. If the edges brown too quickly but the center is still runny, loosely cover with foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack until lukewarm. Dust generously with powdered sugar, slice into wedges, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Using ½ cup sugar results in a lightly sweet dessert; adjust the sugar quantity to suit your taste.
- For enhanced flavor, use the best quality vanilla extract available or scrape one vanilla bean pod.
- Adding flour before milk facilitates creating a smooth, lump-free batter.
- The batter can also be prepared in a food processor by blending the liquid ingredients and sugar first, then adding flour and blending until smooth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
