Thank you, Blue Diamond Almonds, for sponsoring this delightful post and inspiring this recipe!

Luscious Plum Clafoutis: A French Custard Dream Enhanced with Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds

Prepare to be enchanted by a classic French dessert reimagined – the Plum Clafoutis. While traditionally made with cherries, this rendition embraces the sweet, succulent flavor of fresh plums, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is both sophisticated and surprisingly simple to achieve. Our unique twist? The addition of Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds, which infuse the creamy custard with an irresistible nutty warmth and a hint of sweet spice, elevating this rustic French treat to an extraordinary level.

What Exactly is Clafoutis? Unveiling a French Classic

At its heart, a clafoutis (pronounced kla-foo-TEE) is a beloved French baked dessert, originating from the Limousin region of France. It’s characterized by its elegant, custard-like batter that is traditionally poured over whole, unpitted black cherries, then baked until golden and puffed. The result is a dessert that blurs the lines between a fluffy pancake, a rich flan, and a tender fruit tart. Its charm lies in its rustic simplicity and comforting warmth. While purists might argue for cherries, the beauty of clafoutis lies in its adaptability. The versatile batter serves as a perfect canvas for a variety of fruits, and in this recipe, we celebrate the luscious plum.

Why Plums? A Seasonal Twist on Tradition

While cherries are the traditional choice, plums offer a delightful and equally compelling alternative for clafoutis. Their natural sweetness, coupled with a slight tartness, creates a complex flavor profile that beautifully complements the rich, vanilla-infused custard. As plums bake, they soften and release their juicy goodness, infusing the batter with their vibrant essence. Depending on the variety of plum you choose, you can experience a spectrum of flavors, from bright and tangy to deeply sweet and almost jam-like. Opting for plums also allows us to enjoy this exquisite dessert during different seasons, expanding its appeal beyond the limited cherry season. The vibrant color of sliced plums also adds a stunning visual appeal, making each slice a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

Crafting this plum clafoutis is remarkably straightforward. Thinly sliced plums are arranged artfully in a buttered baking dish, forming a vibrant base. Meanwhile, the batter comes together effortlessly: Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds are finely ground, adding depth and texture. All the wet ingredients are simply blended to a smooth consistency in a blender, then combined with the ground almonds and flour. Pour the silky batter over the plums, bake until puffed and golden, and voilà – an impressive dessert with minimal fuss. It truly is that simple: blend, pour, bake, and savor.

The Blue Diamond Almonds Difference: A Flavor Revelation

So, where do Blue Diamond Almonds fit into this exquisite clafoutis creation? The answer lies in their incredible ability to transform and elevate a dish. For this recipe, I incorporated Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds directly into the batter. This wasn’t just a good idea; it was a stroke of culinary genius! The inherent sweetness of honey, the aromatic warmth of cinnamon, and the satisfying crunch of premium almonds form a harmonious trio that perfectly complements the delicate flavor of ripe plums. Grinding these specific almonds into the batter adds a subtle yet distinctive nutty undertone, a wonderful texture, and a captivating aroma that fills your kitchen as the clafoutis bakes. This combination wasn’t just needed to happen; it had to happen, and the result was so enticing, I nearly devoured the entire dessert myself!

From Tastemaker to Table: Exploring Almond Versatility

Being a Blue Diamond Tastemaker has been an absolute delight, opening up a world of creative possibilities with almonds. This role allows me to experiment with their diverse range of flavored almonds and share innovative recipes with you. My first campaign as a Tastemaker spotlighted their irresistible Honey Dijon and Honey Roasted Cinnamon almonds – naturally leading to this magnificent Plum Clafoutis featuring the latter. These almonds aren’t just fantastic for baking; they are also an unparalleled snack. The Honey Dijon almonds, for instance, are so addictive that I almost polished off the entire container the moment I opened them! They’ve become my go-to afternoon snack, perfectly curbing those 3 PM cravings at work. And you can absolutely bet that Blue Diamond almonds, in all their delicious varieties, will be packed for our upcoming vacation next week. Their portability and satisfying crunch make them the ideal travel companion.

Incorporating Blue Diamond almonds into your cooking and snacking routine is an excellent way to add flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Whether you’re grinding them into batters, sprinkling them over salads, or simply enjoying them straight from the bag, they offer a convenient and delicious boost to any moment. The Honey Roasted Cinnamon variety, in particular, has proven to be a game-changer for desserts, offering a pre-seasoned, perfectly balanced flavor profile that requires no extra fuss. It’s a testament to how quality ingredients can truly make a dish sing, transforming a simple clafoutis into a memorable culinary experience.

Plum Clafoutis

Yield:
6-8 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
• 1tbsp powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
• 2-3 ripe plums, halved, cored and sliced thin, about 20-24 slices each
• ½ C granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ C half and half
• 2 tbsp dry sherry
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp orange zest
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ C all purpose flour
• ½ C Blue Diamond Honey Cinnamon almonds, ground

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare the baking dish: Coat the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish (an oval dish works beautifully, as seen in photos) with ½ tbsp unsalted butter, ensuring even coverage. Dust generously with 1 tbsp powdered sugar. Arrange the thinly sliced plum pieces neatly in a single layer across the bottom of the dish.
3. Make the batter: In a blender, combine the granulated sugar, large eggs, half and half, dry sherry, vanilla extract, fresh orange zest, and salt. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Add the all-purpose flour and the finely ground Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Cinnamon Almonds to the blender. Blend again until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain. Carefully pour this silky batter over the plums in the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake to perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The clafoutis is ready when it is beautifully puffed up, golden brown around the edges, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs, indicating the custard is set.
5. Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the clafoutis from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. Clafoutis is often enjoyed warm, but not piping hot. Just before serving, dust generously with additional powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Notes

This recipe has been lovingly adapted from the esteemed Williams Sonoma Baking Book, with a unique twist that incorporates the exceptional flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds.

Choosing Your Plums: You will typically need 2-3 medium-sized ripe plums for this recipe. If your plums are on the smaller side, you might need more to ensure the bottom of your baking dish is completely covered. The goal is a delightful layer of fruit. The exact quantity can vary based on the shape and size of your baking dish. For an oval dish like the one pictured, three medium plums usually suffice. Always choose ripe but firm plums for the best texture and flavor.

Baking Dish Considerations: The size and shape of your baking dish will influence the thickness of your clafoutis. A 2-quart dish, whether oval or round, works well. If you use a wider, shallower dish, your clafoutis will bake faster and be thinner; if you use a deeper, narrower dish, it will be thicker and may require a few extra minutes in the oven.

Serving Suggestions: While delicious on its own, a dusting of powdered sugar is a classic finish. For an even more indulgent treat, consider serving your warm Plum Clafoutis with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a drizzle of crème fraîche. The cool, creamy accompaniment beautifully contrasts the warm, custardy dessert.

Storage: Leftover clafoutis can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2-3 days. Gently warm individual servings in the oven or microwave before enjoying, though it is also delicious chilled.

This post was sponsored and compensated for by Blue Diamond Almonds. All opinions, original photography, and adapted recipe enhancements are my own, reflecting a genuine passion for creating delicious experiences with their products.