Paleo French Cherry Clafoutis

A Beloved French Orchard Dessert for Summer Tea Gatherings

Sweet summer cherries nestled within a delicate vanilla custard batter and baked to golden perfection.

There is something undeniably charming about a traditional French clafoutis. Neither quite a cake nor a custard, it sits beautifully between the two—simple enough for an afternoon bake, yet elegant enough to grace a garden tea table.

Each July, when cherry season arrives in abundance, I find myself drawn to orchard-inspired desserts that celebrate the season's harvest. This Cherry Vanilla Clafoutis does exactly that. Fresh cherries are nestled beneath a silky vanilla batter that puffs beautifully in the oven before settling into a delicate custard-like texture.

For the most delightful summer experience, allow the clafoutis to cool completely, chill for one hour, and serve with scoops of Vanilla Honey Coconut Ice Cream. The contrast of cool creamy ice cream against the tender vanilla custard creates a dessert that feels effortlessly elegant and wonderfully refreshing.

Whether shared during a garden party, enjoyed beneath the shade of an old tree, or served alongside afternoon tea, this recipe is a beautiful reminder to slow down and savor the abundance of the season.

What is Clafoutis?

Clafoutis is a classic French dessert originating from the Limousin region of France. Traditionally made with cherries, the fruit is baked within a simple custard batter until lightly golden and gently puffed.

The beauty of clafoutis lies in its simplicity. A handful of wholesome ingredients come together to create something that feels rustic, elegant, and deeply comforting all at once.

As it bakes, the cherries soften and release their juices into the vanilla-scented custard, creating a dessert that celebrates the fruit rather than overwhelming it.

French Cherry Vanilla Clafoutis

Prep Time

15 minutes

Bake Time

27–30 minutes

Cooling Time

1–2 hours

Yield

Serves 6–8

Ingredients

For the Clafoutis

4 large eggs
1 cup (240ml) full-fat coconut milk
¼ cup (85g) honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Seeds from ½ vanilla bean (optional)
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
3 tablespoons arrowroot starch (24g)
½ cup almond flour (56g)
2 cups fresh cherries, pitted (280–300g)

For Serving

Powdered monk fruit sweetener, for dusting
Vanilla Honey Coconut Ice Cream
Fresh cherries

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease an 8-inch ceramic baking dish, tart dish, or pie plate.

Scatter the pitted cherries evenly across the bottom of the dish.

Step 2: Blend the Batter

In a high-speed blender, combine:

Eggs
Coconut milk
Honey
Vanilla
Sea salt
Arrowroot starch
Almond flour

Blend until completely smooth and silky.

Step 3: Assemble

Gently pour the batter over the cherries.

The cherries will naturally rise and settle throughout the custard as it bakes.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 27–30 minutes, or until:

The edges are lightly golden
The center is just set
The middle has a gentle wobble

The clafoutis will puff beautifully in the oven and settle slightly as it cools.

Step 5: Cool & Serve

Allow the clafoutis to cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.

For a refreshing summer dessert, chill for one hour before serving.

Dust lightly with powdered monk fruit sweetener and serve with Vanilla Honey Coconut Ice Cream and fresh cherries.

A Little French Secret

One of the most common mistakes when making clafoutis is overbaking it.

A proper French clafoutis should still have a slight wobble in the center when you remove it from the oven.

If baked until completely firm, the custard can become eggy and lose its delicate texture.

Remove the clafoutis when:

The edges are lightly golden
The center gently jiggles
A knife inserted near the edge comes out clean

Then allow it to cool naturally for 15–20 minutes.

Bloom It Beautifully™

One of the loveliest qualities of a traditional clafoutis is how beautifully it adapts throughout the seasons.

While cherries are the classic choice, this recipe becomes a wonderful foundation for many seasonal fruits.

Try blooming this recipe with:

Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Sliced peaches
Apricots
Plums

Each variation offers a beautiful expression of the season's harvest.

Bloomery Serving Suggestion

For a truly memorable summer tea gathering, serve chilled slices of Cherry Vanilla Clafoutis alongside:

Vanilla Honey Coconut Ice Cream
Fresh seasonal cherries
Earl Grey Tea
Vanilla Rooibos Tea
Iced Rose Black Tea

The combination feels light, elegant, and wonderfully refreshing on warm July afternoons.

A Season of Abundance

July has always felt like a month of abundance.

The orchards are heavy with fruit, gardens are flourishing, and the long afternoons invite us outdoors to gather with family and friends.

This Cherry Vanilla Clafoutis is one of those simple desserts that reminds us that beauty is often found in the everyday moments—a bowl of cherries from the market, a quiet afternoon tea, and a recipe shared around the table.

May this season be filled with sweet traditions, gentle rest, and moments of beauty worth savoring.

Bon Appétit,

Andrea
Bakerlita Bloomery 🌿🍒🤍

"Let us bake — & let beauty bloom." ✨