Cherry Clafoutis

Cherry clafoutis

Raymond Blanc shares his simple recipe for a classic clafoutis. Other stone fruits would also work well in this dish. Try peaches, plums or apricots.

By Raymond Blanc

From Raymond Blanc's Kitchen Secrets

Ingredients

For the cherries

• 450g/1lb ripe cherries, the best you can find, stones removed

• 3 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

• 3 tbsp kirsch (optional)

For the batter

• 20g/¾oz unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

• 2 free-range eggs

• 3 tbsp caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 1 heaped tbsp plain flour

• 50g/1¾fl oz whole milk

• 75g/2¼fl oz whipping cream

• pinch sea salt

Method

1. Gently mix together the cherries, sugar and kirsch and leave to macerate for two hours. (The sugar will slowly permeate the cherries and intensify their flavour.)

2. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Grease a baking dish with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Shake the sugar around the dish so that it is evenly coated, then tip out any excess.

3. For the batter, heat the butter in a small pan until it turns a pale hazelnut colour – this is called a beurre noisette. Do not allow the butter to burn or it will become bitter and carcinogenic. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside in a warm place.

4. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla until creamy.

5. Add the flour, whisk until smooth, then slowly incorporate the milk, cream, salt and beurre noisette.

6. Mix the macerated cherries and their juice into the batter and pour into the prepared baking dish.

7. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is slightly domed and the blade of a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

8. To finish, sprinkle with caster sugar and serve warm.