We have had an unexpectedly early summer here in Portland, with temperatures in the 80s in June which is almost unheard of. I’ve lived here for 12 years now have always remembered the grey gloom hanging on throughout the month. Backyards have come alive these past few weeks with garden parties and the trees are heavy with fruit already!

My family came to visit last weekend and I decided to use a beautiful basket of cherries to make a clafoutis for our Sunday dessert. The combination of juicy red cherries and sweet almonds is one of my all time favorites. This is so easy to put together and bakes up perfectly, almost a foolproof dessert. A simple chantilly cream (fancy way of saying whipped cream with a touch of vanilla) is a special touch that definitely tips it into the dessert category, though without the clafoutis is a lovely breakfast similar to a dutch baby.

Ingredients

Serves 6-8 

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

pinch salt

1 cup milk

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 tablespoons salted butter, melted + 1 teaspoon butter at room temperature for greasing the dish

2 1/2 cups fresh cherries, washed and pitted

2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting

Preheat the over to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Lightly butter an 8 cup baking dish and set aside. In a blender whir up the flour, sugar, pinch salt, milk, eggs, vanilla and almond extracts until smooth. Slowly add the melted butter and blend to combine. Pour 1/4″ batter into the buttered dish and bake for 10 minutes until just slightly set. Remove from oven and sprinkle the cherries in a single layer over the just set batter. Pour the remaining batter over the cherries and return to the oven, baking for an additional 45-50 minutes or until the clafoutis is puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.

Chantilly Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla in a stainless steel or glass bowl. Using a whisk or mixer beat the cream until fluffy. Do not over beat or you will quickly end up with butter! Top the clafoutis with a dollop of fresh cream and enjoy, hopefully at dusk in the garden surrounded by roses and fairy lights.