Clafoutis is the French version of what is known as a cobbler in the United States. It comes from the French heartland - specifically the plateaus of the Limousin region, about three hundred miles south of Paris, where the countryside is rich in livestock, fruits, and game. The classic clafoutis was made from unpitted black cherries, but variations are made with many other fruits.

Ingredients

• Approximately 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, for greasing the pan, plus 2 tablespoons
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 pounds mixed berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, or quartered strawberries) or black cherries pitted (see note)
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 4 tablespoons rum
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• Pinch of salt
• Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Grease a 2-quart ovenproof glass dish (8 x 8 x 2 1/2 inches) with the butter and dust thoroughly with 1/4 cup of the sugar: Place the sugar in the dish, shake the dish to distribute the sugar evenly, and discard the excess. Fill the dish with the fruit.

3. To make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until smooth, about 1 minute. (This can be done by hand or with a mixer.) Add the sifted flour and mix until smooth. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the melted butter and rum to the batter, and mix until smooth. Add the heavy cream, salt, and lemon juice, and mix again until smooth. (If the mixture has lumps, pass through a fine strainer or chinois.)

4. Pour the batter on top of the fruit in the baking dish, making sure it is evenly distributed. Bake for 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the batter is golden brown on top. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Note: Store-bought berries have already been picked through to remove any clumps of dirt or other impurities. There is no need to wash them and risk turning them soggy with excess water. The only berries that need washing are strawberries, which are grown in sandy soil and will drain easily in a colander or when patted dry.

Other Berry Recipes

Blueberry Cobbler
Flambéed Cherries
Gratin of Berries
Mixed Berry Salad
Raspberry Tart
Strawberries and Orange Slices
Strawberry Soup