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Ginger Pear Clafoutis Recipe: A Fabulous Pear Dessert
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Try this sweet and spicy, custardy Pear Clafoutis recipe, inspired by Julia Child’s original pear dessert.
Our version of the original, from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, adds fresh ginger and skips the soak in wine. We think you’ll be a fan!
Pro tip: a clafoutis (pronounced klafuti) is just an easier-than-it sounds baked dessert with in-season fruit.
Pear season might be the best season.
Ah, the humble pear. A perfect snack on it’s own, yet easily elevated to a delightful dessert with simple ingredients and a pretty presentation.
We adore pears in my family-I’m guessing we could easily go through a few pounds in a day or so when they’re ripe! I love it when they’re so juicy that you make a huge mess while eating one. 🙂
A favorite way to enjoy them is sliced in some crisp greens with raisins, almonds, some feta, and a sweet vinaigrette. I’m hungry just thinking about it now!
Now, about this pear clafoutis.
Today’s recipe is a sweet one, a pear clafoutis. Sounds so fancy right? It’s so simple to make, however, with pears enrobed in a custardy, soufflé-like batter and baked up to perfection!
The sweet ginger glaze that gets brushed on the pears is the kicker. Paired with the mellow pear flavor and lovely baked soufflé, it melts in your mouth, and is incredible with some vanilla bean ice cream on top!
Here’s our ingredients, let’s get started!
Making a Pear Clafoutis step-by-step:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Then, add all the batter ingredients (milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt & flour) to a blender, and blend for 1 minute.
Set the clafoutis base:
Pour a small amount of the batter to your pan (about 1/4″ deep), then bake for 5 minutes.
This will help keep the pears from sinking to the bottom.
Make the glaze:
For the sweet ginger glaze, first, peel and grate some ginger-about 1 tbsp.
Add that to a medium-sized bowl.
Add the brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon to the ginger.
Whisk all the pear clafoutis glaze ingredients together.
Let’s prep the pears:
Peel and core 3 large California pears.
Slice into 1/4″ pieces, keeping the pear together if you wish to create the layout pictured.
Pulling the clafoutis together:
Then, on top of your thin, set layer of batter, arrange the pears as shown, or scatter them throughout the pan. Either way it will taste delicious!
Brush the sweet ginger glaze over the pears, it’s ok if it leaks off into the batter!
Then pour the batter in the spaces between the pears. (Or around the pear slices if you scattered them).
You may not use all the batter, I had a small amount left but wanted to leave the pears peeking out!
Then bake for 50-60 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown.
Let cool a few minutes, then sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top.
Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream!
Your pear clafoutis is done and ready to serve!
Who wouldn’t want a piece of that? Yum!
Now, give our version of Julia’s Pear Clafoutis a try!
Julia, an inspiration? Duh.
Love Julia Child? We do too. Learn more about The Julia Child Foundation and the work they do here, maybe while your pear clafoutis is baking. Then try her Baked Eggs shared by our friend KC, this Cherry Clafoutis recipe, and this Cucumber Salad from Jaine, winner of the first Julia Child Cooking Challenge.
Pear Clafoutis fans should check out this Pear Pistachio Frangipane Tart too!
Wild Wild Whisk‘s buttery crust, creamy pistachio frangipane filling full of fresh pears makes this Pear Pistachio Frangipane Tart one of the best pear desserts.
Now, get to baking!
Ginger Pear Clafoutis
Ingredients
For the Batter
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup AP flour
For the Glaze + Top
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 large California pears
- vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream to serve optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F (180°C).Grease a ceramic baking dish or cast iron pan. (If round, 9 to 10 inch {23 to 25 cm} is best.)
- First, add all the batter ingredients (milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt & flour) to a blender, and blend for 1 minute. Pour a small amount of the batter to your pan (about 1/4″ {1 cm} deep), then bake for 5 minutes. This will help the pears not sink to the bottom. Set aside.
- For the sweet ginger glaze, first, peel and grate some ginger-about 1 tbsp. Then in a bowl combine the brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon with the ginger. Whisk together.
- Peel and core 3 pears. Slice into 1/4″ {1 cm} pieces, keeping the pear together if you wish to create the layout pictured. Then, on top of your thin layer of batter, arrange the pears as shown, or sprinkle them throughout the pan.
- Brush the sweet ginger glaze over the pears, then pour the batter in the spaces between the pears. You may not use all the batter, I had a small amount left but wanted to leave the pears peeking out.
- Then bake for 50-60 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown. Let cool a few minutes, then sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top.Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or fresh whipped cream!
Notes
Nutrition
Adapted from this version of Julia Child’s recipe by Amy of Chew Out Loud.
More pear desserts to try:
Pear Crisp with Pistachios
Our easy recipe for Pear Crisp combines perfectly ripened Bosc pears with California olive oil, ginger, and pistachios for an easy, delicious dessert that requires very little effort to make.
Pear Berry Cobbler
This rustic Pear Berry Cobbler from our friend Becky is a casual, no-fuss recipe that makes the most of the start of pear season and peak summer berries. Naturally sweet Barlett pears meld with bursting berries under an airy blanket of tender buttermilk baby biscuits.
Spiced Sugar Fresh Pear Fritters Recipe
There are certain fried foods we’re always game to make because they’re so delicious they are well worth the effort. Case in point? Our friend Aida’s pear fritters. Our favorite time of year to make these fritters is the fall season because they’re filled with ginger and spice and all things nice!