This single serving pear clafoutis is a classic French custard dessert made with one ripe pear baked in a lightly sweet, egg-rich batter. Soft in the center and lightly golden on top, it’s an elegant dessert made in a small baking dish.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: clafoutis, pear clafoutis, pear dessert, pear tart
Peel and slice the pear and arrange the slices in a buttered 5×5-inch baking dish or 6.5-inch cast iron skillet.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until fully blended. Add the sugar, flour, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until the batter is smooth.
Pour the batter evenly over the sliced pear. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of sugar over the top.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the clafoutis is puffed, lightly golden, and set in the center. The center should jiggle slightly but should not look wet.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. It is normal for the clafoutis to deflate slightly as it cools. Dust lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
Use a Ripe but Firm Pear: Choose a pear that is ripe but still slightly firm. Overripe pears release too much moisture and can make the custard loose.
Peel the Pear: Peeling ensures the fruit becomes fully tender and blends smoothly into the custard as it bakes.
Whisk the Batter Until Completely Smooth: Make sure there are no streaks of flour. A smooth batter creates an even, creamy texture.
Do Not Overbake: The center should be set but still slightly jiggly. Overbaking can make the custard firm instead of soft and creamy.
Expect It to Deflate: Clafoutis will puff in the oven and settle as it cools. This is completely normal and not a sign that it is underbaked.
If doubling this recipe, bake the clafoutis in a 6x8 inch baking dish.