Easy Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis Recipe: Sweet & Simple Joy

Blueberry clafoutis represents a classic French dessert with remarkable rustic charm and elegant simplicity.

Traditional baking techniques transform humble ingredients into something magical and irresistible.

Sweet berries nestle into a silky, custard-like batter that puffs delicately during cooking.

French countryside kitchens have long celebrated this remarkable dessert’s versatility and comforting appeal.

Seasonal fruit becomes the star, lending natural sweetness and vibrant color to the delicate base.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of tender texture and rich, smooth flavors.

Preparing this classic treat connects you with generations of home cooks who cherished uncomplicated, delightful recipes: dive in and savor the magic.

Relish the Fruity Elegance of Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

• Savor Burst of Summer Freshness: Dive into a delightful dessert that captures the essence of ripe, juicy blueberries dancing with delicate custard, creating a symphony of flavors that scream summer in every single bite.
• Master an Effortless French Technique: Impress your friends and family with a classic French dessert that looks and tastes sophisticated, yet requires minimal culinary skills and just one blender to create a restaurant-worthy treat in under an hour.
• Enjoy a Versatile Comfort Dessert: Experience a magical dish that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dessert perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or a light after-dinner sweet that feels both indulgent and comforting.
• Create a Textural Wonderland: Delight in the gorgeous contrast between the soft, custardy base and the burst of fresh blueberries, offering a creamy, jammy, and slightly crisp experience that plays beautifully on your palate with each forkful.

Key Ingredients for Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

Main Ingredients:

• Blueberries: Sweet summer fruit that creates the fruity foundation of the clafoutis, best when fresh and ripe.
• Lemon Zest: Adds bright citrus notes and enhances the blueberry flavor, use fresh zest for best results.

• Eggs: Primary structure and binding agent for the custard-like texture, use large fresh eggs.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and thickness to the batter, standard kitchen flour works perfectly.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smooth consistency to the clafoutis, full-fat version recommended.
• Whole Milk: Contributes to the creamy texture and helps create a light custard base.

• Vanilla Bean: Delivers deep, complex vanilla flavor, fresh bean preferred over extract.
• Sugar: Sweetens the dessert and helps caramelize the edges, granulated white sugar ideal.
• Almond Extract: Provides subtle nutty undertone that complements blueberries beautifully.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and heightens overall flavor profile, enhances sweetness.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps prevent sticking, unsalted butter recommended.

• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for visual appeal and extra sweetness, sifted gently over the top.

Expert Hints for Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

• Capture Authentic Flavor: Choose perfectly ripe, locally sourced blueberries for maximum taste intensity and traditional French dessert character.
• Master Batter Consistency: Gently fold ingredients until just combined, leaving small lumps for a tender, rustic texture that reflects classic clafoutis techniques.
• Control Baking Precision: Monitor oven temperature carefully, ensuring golden edges and slightly jiggly center signal perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Select Strategic Cookware: Cast-iron skillets distribute heat evenly, creating crispy exterior while maintaining soft, custardy interior characteristic of authentic clafoutis.
• Embrace Resting Period: Allow dessert to settle for 10-15 minutes after baking, enabling custard to stabilize and develop deep, rich flavor profiles before serving.

Smart Storage Ideas for Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

• Refrigerate: Place the clafoutis in a sealed glass container to preserve its delicate texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Consume within three days for optimal flavor and freshness.
• Freeze: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers before freezing. Wrap each portion with parchment paper and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat at low temperature to maintain the custard-like consistency.
• Counter Storage: If serving within several hours, keep the clafoutis covered with a clean kitchen towel at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent texture degradation.

Creative Variations for Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

• Summer Berry Bliss: Swap blueberries with a mixed berry combination of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries for a vibrant, colorful dessert that captures summer's essence.
• Nutty Almond Infusion: Replace almond extract with ground almonds in the batter and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for added crunch and nutty depth.
• Lavender Lemon Elegance: Incorporate dried lavender buds and increase lemon zest for a fragrant, sophisticated version that brings a French countryside feel to the classic recipe.
• Chocolate Cherry Indulgence: Substitute blueberries with fresh cherries and fold in dark chocolate chunks to create a rich, decadent variation that elevates the traditional clafoutis.

Closing Reflections on Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

Julia Child’s blueberry clafoutis represents culinary elegance with French countryside charm.

Classic techniques blend seamlessly in this rustic dessert, offering pure gastronomic pleasure.

Creamy custard nestles plump blueberries, creating harmonious flavor profiles that dance across palates.

Delicate textures and nuanced vanilla undertones elevate this simple yet sophisticated treat.

French countryside memories emerge through each carefully crafted bite of this extraordinary dessert.

Passionate bakers and curious epicureans: dive into this recipe, share your delightful creation on social media, spark conversation, and celebrate culinary artistry with fellow enthusiasts.

A Comprehensive Guide to Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Position the rack right in the middle. Grab a 9-inch round or cast-iron pan and generously coat it with melted butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Dress Up the Blueberries

• Sugar
• Fresh lemon zest

Gently toss the berries until they’re evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 3: Extract Vanilla Magic

Take 1/2 vanilla bean and slice it open lengthwise. Use a small knife to carefully scrape out the tiny, fragrant seeds. These little flavor bombs will go directly into your blender.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Batter

• Vanilla bean seeds
• Sugar
• 3 large eggs
• Melted butter
• Kosher salt
• Almond extract
• All-purpose flour

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk

Blend until the batter becomes smooth and wonderfully frothy.

Step 5: Create the Clafoutis Base

Spread the sugared blueberries in an even layer across the bottom of your buttered pan. Carefully pour the silky batter over the berries, making sure it covers them completely.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Look for golden-brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly jiggly. Around 25 minutes, do a toothpick test – it should come out clean when inserted.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Allow the clafoutis to cool for 10-15 minutes. It should be warm but not scorching hot. Dust with a light snowfall of powdered sugar.

Julia Childs Blueberry Clafoutis Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Julia Child’s blueberry clafoutis delivers classic French countryside comfort on a plate. Sweet berries nestled in a silky custard create an irresistible dessert that whisks you to Provence with one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Fruits/Produce:

• 1 pint (473 ml) fresh blueberries
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ½ vanilla bean

Dairy and Eggs:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) unsalted butter (melted) + more for greasing
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

• ⅓ cup (67 g) + 1 tablespoon (12.5 g) granulated white sugar, divided
• ⅔ cup (80 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (177°C), positioning the rack in the center. Generously coat a 9-inch round or cast-iron pan with melted butter to prevent sticking.
2. Gently toss the fresh blueberries with 1 tablespoon of sugar and lemon zest in a medium bowl, allowing the flavors to meld while preparing the remaining ingredients.
3. Extract the aromatic vanilla bean seeds by carefully splitting the bean lengthwise and scraping out the tiny, flavor-packed seeds using a small knife.
4. Create the silky custard base by combining vanilla bean seeds, remaining 1/3 cup (67 grams) sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and 2/3 cup (83 grams) all-purpose flour in a blender. Pulse until the mixture reaches a slightly lumpy consistency.
5. Incorporate 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream and 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) whole milk into the batter, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and develops a frothy texture.
6. Distribute the sugared blueberries evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a uniform layer of fruit.
7. Carefully pour the batter over the blueberries, ensuring complete and even coverage of the fruit.
8. Bake the clafoutis for 30 to 35 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a center that is set but maintains a slight wobble. Test for doneness around the 25-minute mark by inserting a toothpick, which should emerge clean.
9. Allow the clafoutis to rest and cool for 10-15 minutes, reaching a warm serving temperature. Finish by delicately dusting with powdered sugar, then slice and serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of creamy custard and burst of blueberry flavor.

Notes

• Pick Plump Berries: Select juicy, deep-blue blueberries that look firm and have a rich color, ensuring maximum sweetness and best overall taste.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Combine ingredients with a light hand, creating a slightly lumpy batter that guarantees a tender, delicate texture without developing tough gluten.
• Precise Baking Window: Watch closely during the last 10 minutes of baking, looking for golden edges and a center that jiggles just slightly when gently shaken.
• Skillet Magic: Cast-iron pans distribute heat evenly, creating a beautiful crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, custardy interior for your clafoutis.
• Patient Cooling Technique: Allowing the dessert to rest helps the custard structure stabilize, making clean slices and enhancing the overall eating experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg