Creamy Cherry Clafoutis Bake Recipe

This rich and comforting cherry dessert is a beautiful cross between a custard, bread pudding, and baked pancake. The dish in the image resembles a rustic cherry clafoutis-style casserole: soft, creamy, lightly sweet, and bursting with juicy cherries in every bite. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

The texture is silky and tender inside with golden edges on top. As it bakes, the cherries release their juices into the creamy batter, creating pockets of sweet-tart flavor throughout the dish. Best of all, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and requires very little preparation.

Creamy Cherry Clafoutis Bake

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour

Servings

Serves 8–10 people

Ingredients

For the Batter

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional but highly recommended)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

For the Fruit

• 3 cups fresh or frozen cherries
  • Sweet cherries or tart cherries both work well
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar

For the Baking Dish

• 1 tablespoon butter for greasing
• Powdered sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish generously with butter to prevent sticking and to add extra richness around the edges.

If using frozen cherries, thaw and drain them slightly so the dessert does not become watery.

Step 2: Prepare the Cherries

Place the cherries into a mixing bowl. Toss them with 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon sugar. This helps suspend the fruit in the batter and prevents all the cherries from sinking to the bottom during baking.

Spread the cherries evenly across the prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until smooth and slightly pale.

Add:

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Melted butter

Mix until combined.

Gradually whisk in the flour and salt until no lumps remain.

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously. The batter will be thin, similar to crepe batter. This is exactly what creates the soft custard texture after baking.

Step 4: Assemble the Dessert

Pour the batter evenly over the cherries in the baking dish. The cherries will naturally float and spread throughout the custard as it bakes.

For extra texture, you may sprinkle the top with:

• A little coarse sugar
• Sliced almonds
• A touch of cinnamon

These additions create a lightly crisp top layer.

Step 5: Bake

Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes.

The clafoutis is done when:

• The center is just set
• The edges are golden brown
• A knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean

The dessert will puff slightly while baking and settle as it cools.

Allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the custard firm up and improves the texture.

Serving Suggestions

This cherry bake can be served:

• Warm
• Room temperature
• Chilled from the refrigerator

Top with:

• Powdered sugar
• Whipped cream
• Vanilla ice cream
• Greek yogurt
• Maple syrup or honey

For brunch, pair it with coffee or cappuccino. For dessert, serve warm with ice cream for a comforting finish to dinner.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat:

• Microwave individual portions for 20–30 seconds
• Or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes

The flavor becomes even better the next day as the cherries blend into the custard.

Helpful Variations

Berry Version

Replace cherries with:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Mixed berries

Peach or Apple Version

Use sliced peaches or thin apple slices for a fall-inspired variation.

Extra Rich Version

Substitute half-and-half for the milk or add cream cheese cubes for cheesecake-like pockets.

Gluten-Free Option

Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Baking Tips for Best Results

1. Do not overmix the batter. Gentle mixing keeps the texture tender.
2. Use room-temperature eggs and milk for smoother custard.
3. Glass baking dishes work especially well because they distribute heat evenly.
4. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
5. Tart cherries create a more balanced flavor, while sweet cherries make the dessert richer and candy-like.