Cherry and Bourbon vanilla clafoutis: the authentic Limousin recipe

Clafoutis aux cerises et vanille Bourbon : la vraie recette limousine

Cherry and Bourbon Vanilla Clafoutis: the Authentic Limousin Recipe

Clafoutis is one of those French desserts we think we know by heart—and yet, the original Limousin version traditionally contains no flour in some old recipes, and above all, never uses pitted cherries: the pit, it is said, releases a subtle almond flavor during cooking. Here is a version faithful to tradition, enhanced with real Bourbon vanilla.

Ingredients (serves 6)

  • 600 g fresh cherries (unpitted if you are following tradition)
  • 3 eggs
  • 100 g sugar
  • 80 g flour
  • 25 cl whole milk
  • 10 cl liquid cream
  • 1 Madagascar Bourbon vanilla pod
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • Butter for the mold

Preparation

1. Prepare the mold. Generously grease a gratin dish. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. The cherries. Wash and stem the cherries, then arrange them in a generous layer in the dish.

3. The batter. Split the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds. In a bowl, whisk the whole eggs with the sugar until the mixture is slightly pale. Add the sifted flour, then the milk, cream, and vanilla seeds. Mix until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.

4. Baking. Pour the batter over the cherries. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the clafoutis is golden and slightly risen, with a center that is still a little wobbly.

5. Resting. Allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving: the clafoutis sets as it cools and develops its flavors more fully.

The Or Noir Vanilla Tip

Steep the split pod directly in the lukewarm milk for 15 minutes before preparing the batter: you will multiply the aromatic intensity without adding a single extra gram of sugar.

The secret to a successful clafoutis

A simple clafoutis instantly reveals the quality of the vanilla used—it is impossible to cheat on such an unadulterated dessert. Our 15-Pod Delight Pack is perfect for discovering real Grand Cru vanilla with no commitment, with the code BIENVENUE10 for 10% off your first order.

To learn how to open and scrape your pod properly, head to our dedicated guide on the blog. Every Or Noir Vanilla order also helps support Malagasy producers through Mon Mada à Moi.