I’ve made flognarde (two versions) but never clafouti, until now. Clafouti is one of those intriguing French desserts in that it defies categorization – is it pudding, is it cake? Is it for breakfast or dessert? (You can have both, in my opinion.) My favourite definition of clafoutis comes from The Patisseries of Paris by Jamie Cahill and Alison Harris, “a cross between a pudding and a cake”.
One thing that never fails, though, is the star of the show: cherries. Classic, traditional clafoutis always have cherries – when other fruit is used it becomes flognarde (flow-nyard) but that distinction seems to be often ignored these days.
When I first read Iris’ Gluten-Free Birthday Cake Challenge, I imagined something simple yet elegant, yet fancy – something that would only be reserved for special occasions, only the best, but as it is life happens. This month has been one hectic one, and it’s about to get even busier (and fun!) leading into this weekend and the following week. Subsequently, a lot of my blogging plans have flown out the window or at least have been postponed until a better date. However, I didn’t let the idea out of my mind – I couldn’t – and, at last, I’ve come up with clafoutis, mini-sized.
They’re not what I suppose would be the first thing to come to mind for a birthday cake but they’re small and can thus be enjoyed in smaller portions than cake would be usually served. Not to mention that there’s no frosting for these beauties. The cherries take care of most of the sweetening in the clafoutis, so it’s low in sugar (of any form, not just refined sugar) and also made with almond flour – so go ahead and spoil yourself!
Cherry Clafouti Cupcakes
About 4.5 ounces (128 grams) fresh cherries
3 eggs
1/4 cup almond flour
2 tbsp. water
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Coconut milk (estimated 1/4 cup)
Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with parchment paper cups.*
Pit cherries and chop in quarter pieces. Spoon 7 to 8 cherry quarters per muffin cup. (You’ll have some leftover cherries, which you can snack on. ;))
Beat the eggs and add the almond flour, water, honey, vanilla, and coconut milk, adding one at a time and mixing well after each addition.
Pour batter over cherries, filling each muffin cup about half full. It’s okay if the cherries aren’t completely covered. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool and serve. Enjoy!
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*I’ve seen at some of my local stores, including Whole Foods, that pre-cut parchment paper including cup liners are being sold. If you use parchment paper cup liners, after the cupcakes have baked and cooled the whole cupcake will come away from the paper when you peel it off; there won’t be any crumbs left as is common with standard muffin or cupcake liners.
Z's Cup of Tea 
Totally stunning and irresistible, Zoe! These looks so gorgeous that nobody would know how simple the ingredients are. 😉 Awesome entry for Iris’ cake challenge!
xo,
Shirley
Hi Shirley, thanks! The clafoutis is based off my apricot and raspberry flognarde from last year.
These are adorable! I absolutely love desserts that come in small portions. Now that it’s cherry season, I have a feeling these will be made in my kitchen very soon.
Hi Miel, thanks! I, too, adore desserts that come in small portions; petit fours are a personal favourite, especially when it comes to cheesecake. Happy baking!
Mmmmmm, how I would love to try one 🙂
The next step to make food blogging even more interactive is when we can try the food, no matter where we are in the world. ;0
What a great idea to make them small! Make for a lovely dinner party dessert!
Here I am trying to resist a piece of Maggie’s Blueberry Buckle and now I want to run to the store for cherries! Amazing, Zoe. Fancy, yet simple. My kind of food!
Honey, these tasted absolutely lovely at your brother’s party and they are a nice change being so light and the sweetness is perfect with the cherries. I may have to twist your arm to make these again for your ol’ Grandma 😉 Love you lots, xo Grandma
Hi Grandma, so pleased that you liked them! Maybe the next batch will have chocolate – what I wanted to do originally but I’m sure that a drizzle of chocolate or even some shaved chocolate would satisfy. 🙂
There are so many wonderful things about these: they’re simple, have only a few ingredients, only a tablespoon of honey, and no need for frosting! Perfect! Thanks Zoe 🙂
Hi Iris, you’re most welcome and thank you! You’ll have so many choices for your birthday – now, if only this was a real live potluck and you could sample them all. 🙂
These look perfect! I was just thinking about cherry clafoutis the other day – I’ve GOT to make these 🙂
Zoe, these are absolutely gorgeous looking! Your photos are beautiful. I really love clafoutis, but do not make them very often. This recipe looks so simple! I think I will totally give it a go this week!! 😉
Hi Kim, thank you and happy baking, I hope you like it! Would love your feedback. 🙂
I didn’t think clafoutis could get better, but in mini size they seem even more awesome! You rock! Your pictures are beautiful and really capture the moment. I’ve got these on my list to try 🙂
Thanks, Melanie!
These look soooo amazing! I’ve never heard of clafoutis and now I’m anxious to try them. I love the small, whole ingredient list. This is on my must try list. Thanks for sharing. 🙂