Description
Julia Child’s Berry Clafoutis is a classic French dessert featuring juicy blackberries or blueberries baked in a delicate, custard-like batter. This easy-to-make clafoutis combines sweetened eggs, milk, and flour to create a light, puffed, and browned treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting dessert. A dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch to this warm, rustic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Clafoutis Batter:
- Butter for greasing the pan
- 1 and 1/4 cups whole or 2% milk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Fruit and Garnish:
- 1 pint (about 2 generous cups) blackberries or blueberries, rinsed and well drained
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a medium-sized, flameproof baking dish that is at least 1 1/2 inches deep to prevent sticking.
- Make the Batter: In a blender, combine the milk, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and flour. Blend at high speed until the mixture is smooth and frothy, approximately 1 minute.
- Set the Batter Base: Pour a thin 1/4-inch layer of batter into the buttered baking dish. Place the dish on a low heat stove burner for 1-2 minutes, allowing a thin film of batter to set on the bottom. Then, remove it from the heat.
- Add the Berries and Remaining Batter: Evenly spread the rinsed berries over the set batter layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup of granulated sugar over the berries. Pour the remaining batter over the top and smooth it out gently with the back of a spoon.
- Bake the Clafoutis: Place the baking dish in the center of the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes. The clafoutis is done when its top is puffed and browned, and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Just before serving, dust the clafoutis with powdered sugar. The dessert is best served warm, though it can be enjoyed at room temperature. Note that it will sink slightly as it cools.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
- This recipe works well with either blackberries or blueberries; wild berries will add extra depth of flavor.
- Since the batter is delicate, avoid using a dish that is too shallow or too large to maintain the proper thickness of the clafoutis layer.
- Allow the clafoutis to cool briefly before serving to let it set properly.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk, but avoid using skim milk for best texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated; however, the texture may change and it will not be as puffy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Berry Clafoutis, Julia Child Clafoutis, French Dessert, Berry Dessert, Baked Custard, Blueberry Clafoutis, Blackberry Clafoutis, Easy French Recipes
