Wow your guests at Thanksgiving with a maple pear clafoutis. It's not your traditional holiday dessert, but it will still make an excellent addition to the dessert table. Use any pear variety in this clafoutis along with real maple syrup for a treat that everyone will love. Top it off with a generous dusting of powdered sugar to make it look extra special.
Maple Pear Clafoutis recipe highlights:
- Clafoutis is a baked French dessert that bears a close resemblance to flan. It contains very little flour and bakes up into a custardy pancake consistency. Traditionally it is made with black cherries, but we are skipping tradition today. So that means this dish should actually be called a flaugnarde!
- For today's recipe, I used red pears but any variety will do. Make sure to choose ripe but firm pears. Soft pears will cook down too much and could potentially ruin the batter. Try my roasted plum clafoutis also!
- Use a cast iron skillet if you can. It's certainly not a must, but I highly recommend it. With a cast iron, the edges of the clafoutis will turn dark and crispy. It is a pleasant contrast to the custard texture of the center. The edges are my favorite part!
If you've ever made a traditional clafoutis you know just what a treat this dessert is. Although I'm a traditional girl at heart, I simply can't leave well enough alone. I have to do something different. I introduce to you this maple pear clafoutis.
The maple flavor is soft and subtle. You can actually taste it more while the clafoutis is still warm. The pears are the highlight here. It's rare for me to purchase pears, I tend to naturally reach for apples. But I couldn't resist the gorgeous red pears at the market. Just like apples, pears come in a wide variety. You don't have to use red like I did. Experiment and choose your favorite one.
Maple Pear Clafoutis
Wow your guests at Thanksgiving with a maple pear clafoutis. It's not your traditional holiday dessert, but it will still make an excellent addition to the dessert table. Use any pear variety in this clafoutis along with real maple syrup for a treat that everyone will love. Top it off with a generous dusting of powdered sugar to make it look extra special.
Ingredients
- 2 cups firm-ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped into ¾-inch pieces, about 3 pears
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- confectioners' sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Add the pears to a small bowl. Drizzle the lemon juice over the pears and stir to coat. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Butter a 10 to 11-inch round ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle the bottom and sides with sugar.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and maple syrup together until smooth. Whisk in the flour and salt until smooth. Whisk in the cream and vanilla until well combined.
- Layer the pears evenly in the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter over the pears. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. Check halfway through and if the custard is getting too brown, tent it with aluminum foil.
- When you remove the clafoutis from the oven it will jiggle a little. That is normal. Set it on a wire rack to cool. It is also normal for it to deflate some as it cools. Once it has cooled, dust it with powdered sugar and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 357Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 111mgSodium 105mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 4gSugar 36gProtein 5g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the values shown are just an estimate.
Adapted from Simply Recipes.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
I have never made or eaten a clafoutis before. The texture sounds delicious!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
What an impressive dessert! Even the name sounds impressive. I love the combination of maple and pear and can see this on my holiday menu!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I've actually been contemplating attempting a Clafoutis. Your gorgeous pear one has me inspired! Love the perfect fall pear and maple combo!
Jen says
You totally should make one!
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
I love clafoutis and this looks amazing Jen! This is the 1st clafoutis I´ve ever seen made with pear and maple.. so original!!
Jen says
Thanks, Johlene! The maple and pear were great choices.
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
I've made clafoutis ONCE in my life and totally failed. You've inspired me to try again! Maple and pear are a terrific combo 🙂
Jen says
You should try again. I know you will nail it next time!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love the maple pear combination! This is beautiful!
Jen says
Thanks, Jessica!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Wowza! This is impressive! So happy I have a cast iron skillet - this is a definite! Pinned!
Jen says
Yay! I hope you get a chance to make it!