There’s something truly enchanting about wandering through the cherry blossom festivals in Japan, where every petal dances in the breeze, creating a soft pink canopy overhead. Inspired by this mesmerizing beauty, I decided to combine the classic French dessert clafoutis with the vibrant flavors of cherry blossoms. This delightful dish marries the creamy, custard-like texture of traditional clafoutis with the floral sweetness of cherry blossom essence, resulting in a dessert that is both stunning and utterly delicious.
### Ingredients
– 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries (or use cherry blossom extract for flavor)
– 3 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 tablespoon cherry blossom extract (optional)
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– Powdered sugar for dusting
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
### Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round pie dish or a similar baking dish with butter, ensuring it’s well-coated to prevent sticking.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cherry blossom extract (if using) until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and salt, whisking continuously to avoid any lumps. The batter should be creamy and slightly thick.
Fold in the melted butter until fully incorporated. The batter will resemble a thick pancake batter.
Spread the cherries evenly across the bottom of the prepared pie dish. Pour the batter over the cherries, ensuring they are submerged.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until the clafoutis is puffed up and golden brown on top. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Once baked, remove the clafoutis from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. It will deflate a bit as it cools, which is perfectly normal.
Dust the top with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.
Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy your Cherry Blossom Clafoutis while reminiscing about those enchanting blossoms that inspired this sweet creation. This dessert is perfect for a spring gathering or any occasion where you want to bring a taste of international flavor to your table!