1 post tagged “cherries”
The rumor goes that the first President of the United States chopped down a cherry tree when he was a child, so it only makes sense to me that cherry desserts belong at the July 4th table. -- My mother will probably think I'm insane, but I'm pretty sure she'll enjoy the result.
Fresh Cherry Clafoutis
+ / - 2 cups
fresh cherries, pitted
2 eggs, room temp
3/4 cup milk, room
temp
2 tbsp cream, room temp
6 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp
lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1/3 cup
all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Liberally butter a six-cup baking dish OR six 1-cup ramekins liberally (although oven-proof custard cups or the like would work too, or a six-cup serving dish could certainly work): If using the ramekins, place them on a baking sheets.
Preheat the baking dish(es) in the oven 5 min before filling.
Wash the cherries, cut in half to pit them if you haven't already, and drop the halved pieces on the well-buttered bottom of the dishes. (It's okay to steal a cherry or two for luck and made sure the cherries are mostly even in distribution.)Combine the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, salt and flour, either in a mixer, food processor, or by hand. If using a mixer or blender, leave it on low until the batter looks smooth: When you have the smooth consistency, pour the batter approximately even over the cherries to about a quarter inch from the rim of your baking dish(es). The clafoutis will rise while cooking. Don't fill to the brim!
Put the clafoutis into the oven and leave it alone for at least 20 minutes: Don't peek earlier because you will lose necessary heat. The ramekins will need to bake about 23 to 25 minutes: A full baking dish will run closer to 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven when the center is set. Best if served warm.
When I first made these, I let them cool slightly, and then ate one right off the baking tray with a spoon while it was still just a little too warm. Perfection.
Also note, you can add about a tbsp or two of kirsch or other cherry cordial to the batter while mixing -- I opted out, but I've heard it adds some lovely depth to the dish.
