Clafoutis or Clafouti (as it is called in Anglophone countries) is a baked French dessert, which is composed of layers of fruit and thick batter. The term clafoutis is derived from the old French word claufir, which translates to attach with nails. There is another etymological version which says that the word is derived from Occitan word clafotis. The word clafotis is in turn derived from the clafir, which translates to “fill”. Traditionally the dessert is topped with layer of cherries but at times other fruits are also substituted for cherries. Different variations of this dessert are enjoyed throughout Europe. The people of Dutch prepare a dessert similar to this fruit dessert and call it pannekoek, but it includes chunks of bacon, cheese, raisins and apples.
Clafoutis is originally pronounced as kla-fou-tee. Some say that this dessert is the epitome of the French grandmotherly dessert. The dessert resembles “Forêt Noire” in many senses. It is believed that the word was first used in 1968. Many food experts believe that clafoutis is a cross between pancake and custard.
History of Clafoutis
Clafoutis originated in the Limousin region of France. It is believed that thiswas a popular dessert in 19th century.
Ingredients Prescribed by Clafoutis Recipe
The traditional recipe calls for the usage of cherries. These cherries are arranged in a pit. These pits emanate delicious flavor when clafoutis is cooked. If the pits are discarded before the baking process, the desert will have comparatively milder flavor. Some variations of the recipe also suggest using chocolates with cherries. This dessert tastes more like a pancake if the chocolates are added with cherries. Other than the red cherries, prunes, apples, cranberries and black berries are also used. If some other fruit is used in place of cherry then the clafoutis is called Flaugnarde, which is also known as flognarde, flagnarde, or flougnarde. This dessert is dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served either hot or cold. Many health conscious clafoutis recipes are developed which suggest the use of almond meal in place of flour. All seasonal fruits can be used in the preparation of the dessert. Mostly cherries are substituted with thinly sliced apples during the winter season. The clafoutis have short shelf life compared to other similar desserts.
Popular Clafoutis Variations
Health and Nutrition Information of Various Types of Clafoutis