French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe
I’m so excited to share this French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe with you—it’s one of those simple yet stunning desserts that never fail to impress. It strikes the perfect balance between a light cake and a custard, making it an ideal treat for when you want something sweet but not overly rich. Plus, the juicy peaches and bursts of blueberries make each bite irresistibly fresh and flavorful.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed weekend dessert or a charming dish to bring to a summer brunch, this French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe works beautifully every time. I love how its rustic charm feels fancy without requiring any complex baking skills, so you can enjoy baking without the stress.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh fruit, making it accessible and easy to pull together.
- Perfect Texture: The batter creates a custardy center with a lightly crisp golden top every time.
- Flexible Fruit Options: You can swap the peaches and blueberries with almost any fresh fruit you love or have on hand.
- Beginner-Friendly: No complex layering or folding techniques—just whisk, pour, and bake!
Ingredients & Why They Work
This French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe relies on a handful of ingredients that blend beautifully into a smooth, delicate custard perfect for soaking up the sweetness of fresh fruit. Choosing the right fruit and butter really makes the difference between good and unforgettable!

- Unsalted Butter: Melting and brushing the pan with butter prevents sticking while adding a subtle nutty richness.
- Eggs: They provide the structure and light fluffiness crucial for that signature clafoutis texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a gentle caramel depth to balance the fruit without overpowering it.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just enough to thicken the batter and give it that custard consistency without becoming cakey.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
- Whole Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and tender, substitutable with cream for extra indulgence.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla warms the flavor profile and pairs wonderfully with stone fruits.
- Blueberries and Peaches: Their juicy sweetness and vibrant colors bring life and freshness to this traditional French dessert.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often switch up the fruit depending on the season or what’s ripe at the market—I once tried it with cherries and it was a total hit! Feel free to experiment with the sugar level or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy twist.
- Variation: Swapping peaches for sliced plums gives it a beautifully deep color and a slight tartness I really enjoy.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: I’ve substituted the milk with almond milk and swapped butter for coconut oil when friends came over with dietary restrictions — still delicious!
- Extra Flavor: Adding a splash of almond extract along with vanilla gives the clafoutis a lovely nutty aroma.
Step-by-Step: How I Make French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then, melt the butter and use a pastry brush to generously coat your skillet or pie pan—this ensures your clafoutis won’t stick and will have that beautiful buttery crust on the edges. I like using a 9-inch cast iron skillet because it heats evenly and adds a rustic touch to the presentation.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Batter
In a bowl, beat the eggs with the light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes if you have a hand mixer, or a bit longer by hand. Gradually add in the flour, salt, milk, and vanilla to form a smooth, creamy batter. The key is not to overmix once you add the flour so your clafoutis stays tender, not tough.
Step 3: Add the Fruit and Bake
Pour the batter carefully into your buttered pan, then gently nestle the blueberries and peach slices on top—don’t stir them in, just let them peek through the batter. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. You want the center to be set but just a little jiggly for that perfect custard-like texture.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Once baked, let the clafoutis cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This patience really helps it set up nicely without falling apart. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling indulgent—I promise, it’s amazing either way!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: It helps the batter whip up lighter and more uniformly.
- Fruit Placement: Don’t mix fruit into the batter; placing it on top maintains that lovely, rustic look after baking.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Oven temps vary, so start checking around 40 minutes to avoid overbaking and losing that silky texture.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting it cool for a bit helps the custard firm up, making slicing easier and neater.
How to Serve French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar—it adds a touch of sweetness and makes the clafoutis look pretty without overpowering the delicate fruit flavors. On special occasions, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream is my go-to. Sometimes, I even sprinkle chopped toasted almonds for a bit of crunch that contrasts so nicely with the custard.
Side Dishes
This clafoutis shines as a standalone dessert, but if you’re serving it at brunch or tea time, I love pairing it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. It’s light enough that you won’t feel weighed down but satisfying enough to leave you smiling.
Creative Ways to Present
For more festive occasions, I like to bake this clafoutis in individual ramekins—it adds charm and makes servings easy and elegant. Another fun trick I’ve tried is swirling a bit of berry coulis on the plate before putting the slice on top; it looks gorgeous and adds a nice tangy garnish. Once, I even layered the fruit a bit denser on top for a “fruit crown” effect that wowed my guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend wrapping the clafoutis tightly with plastic wrap to keep it moist and avoid it picking up other fridge odors. When I’ve done this, I’ve found it still tastes fresh and holds onto its texture quite well.
Freezing
Freezing clafoutis is possible but I prefer to freeze single serving slices wrapped tightly in foil and in an airtight container. Though the texture softens a bit on thawing, it’s still great for quick desserts, especially when topped with fresh fruit or ice cream after reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes to warm through without drying out. Microwaving works too, just be careful to heat in short bursts so it doesn’t become rubbery. Sometimes a quick reheat with a scoop of ice cream makes it feel like you’re enjoying it fresh again.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits instead of peaches and blueberries?
Absolutely! This French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe is incredibly versatile. You can swap the peaches and blueberries for cherries, plums, apples, or pears—just adjust the baking time slightly depending on the moisture content of the fruit.
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What’s the best pan to bake clafoutis in?
I prefer a 9-inch cast iron skillet because it heats evenly and gives a nice rustic look. However, any deep pie pan or oven-safe dish of similar size works well—just make sure it’s well buttered to prevent sticking.
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Can I make this French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare it a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before serving or reheat gently in the oven for best results.
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How do I know when the clafoutis is done baking?
The top should be golden brown and set, but the center should still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean but might have a few moist crumbs.
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Can I use less sugar or a sugar substitute?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar slightly, especially if your fruit is very sweet. For sugar substitutes, choose ones suitable for baking and keep in mind the texture may vary slightly from the original.
Final Thoughts
I always find that making this French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe brings a little slice of France into my kitchen—and I hope it does the same for you. It’s one of those comforting recipes that feels both homey and special, perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring quietly with your favorite cup of tea. Give it a try—you’ll love how effortlessly it fills your home with warmth and sweet, fruity goodness.
Print
French Fruit Clafoutis Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
French Fruit Clafoutis is a classic baked dessert featuring a creamy, flan-like batter studded with fresh blueberries and peaches. This delightful dish combines the sweetness of fruit with a rich vanilla-infused batter, baked to golden perfection and optionally topped with powdered sugar or ice cream for a luscious finish.
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 2 peaches, sliced
Optional for Serving
- Powdered sugar
- Ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a pastry brush, evenly spread the melted butter throughout a 9-inch cast iron skillet or a deep 9-inch pie pan, then set aside.
- Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk the eggs and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. Gradually add the flour, salt, whole milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
- Assemble clafoutis: Carefully pour the batter into the prepared skillet. Gently arrange the blueberries and sliced peaches evenly on top of the batter.
- Bake the clafoutis: Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the clafoutis cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or serve with a scoop of ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm peaches for the best texture and flavor.
- A cast iron skillet helps achieve a nicely browned crust, but a deep pie pan works well too.
- Room temperature eggs create a lighter, fluffier batter.
- For a gluten free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten free baking blend.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
- Adding a little lemon zest to the batter can enhance the fruit flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
