Fresh Apricot Ginger Peasant Cake
There is a simple, earthy cake in the French culinary repertoire, from the region of Limousin, called clafouti (pronounced klah-foo-tee), which is an especially delicious way to treat fresh fruit and berries in summer.
It is comprised of a layer of cake-custard, topped with a layer of fruit. The result can be rather more like cake or rather more like custard, depending on the proportions in the batter. Sometimes it’s described as a pancake and it does have a slight similarity to the high-rising German pancake called Dutch Baby. I have also eaten versions that are simply custards enrobing fruit, no flour in the batter at all.
My version is on the other end of the spectrum. It contains no eggs and is cake-like (not a pancake, not a custard) with a decidedly chewy texture, which everyone who tastes it loves. I don’t recall where I stumbled on the unusual formula here, but I have not encountered it anywhere since.
The success of this dish rests squarely on the quality of the fruit. Buy from a local grower, in season, if at all possible. The apricots pictured here are a variety called Goldbar. I first encountered them in July 2007 from a grower who brought them from his farm in Eastern Washington to the Woodinville Farmers Market in Western Washington. This weekend, I found them again at the University District Farmers Market in Seattle. These are the best apricots I have ever eaten, incredibly aromatic with plenty of bright acidity. Look for them!
Because this cake is so simple to make and not overly sweet, it makes an excellent addition to a breakfast or brunch menu. It’s also wonderful with afternoon tea, perhaps an organic Darjeeling Muscatel from Oregon tea purveyor, The Tao of Tea at http://www.taooftea.com/. It is best eaten shortly after baking.
Inspiration Note Julia Child describes this classic dessert beautifully, along with several variations, in the inestimable, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1. Her formula, however, is quite different than the one I am showing you here.
Fresh Apricot Ginger Peasant Cake
Apricots release their full depth of flavor only when cooked, thus I am always looking for ways to treat them to a little heat. They are the perfect fruit for this simple cake, but blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or sour cherries will also work beautifully.
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Apricots
4 fresh, large apricots (8 if small)
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons chopped candied ginger
2 tablespoons ginger-flavored liqueur (or nonalcoholic ginger beer)
¼ vanilla bean
Cake Batter
3/4 cup King Arthur all-purpose flour, sifted
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk, plus 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ginger extract
Garnish
Powdered sugar in a shaker
- To prepare the pie plate: Locate a 10½-inch diameter ceramic pie plate with a 5-6 cup capacity. (Another shape of shallow baking dish with the same capacity will also work.)
- Pour in the melted butter and tip the pie plate from side to side to cover all of it with butter. You may need to use a brush to lightly coat the edges of the pie plate with butter. Reserve.
- To prepare the apricots: Cut the apricots in half, remove the seeds and any remaining stems, and if large, cut each half in half again.
- Put the apricots in a medium-size bowl and add the sugar, candied ginger, and liqueur. With a small sharp knife, scrape the seeds from the inside of the vanilla bean into the bowl. (What remains of the vanilla bean can be used to flavor a bowl of sugar, a custard, or whatever.) With a flexible spatula, gently combine the apricots with the other ingredients. Reserve. (If the apricots are not juicy enough, add 1-2 additional tablespoons water to dissolve the sugar.)
- To prepare the cake batter: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, remaining 1 cup sugar, and the baking powder.
- With a wooden spoon, beat in the milk to produce a smooth batter. Don’t over beat. However, the batter should not have too many lumps either.
- Pour the batter into the center of the buttered gratin dish. No worries, it will spread out on its own.
- Place the apricots, cut sides down, and their remaining liquid evenly over the batter, leaving a 3/4–inch open border of batter around the outside edges (this will allow the batter to rise dramatically at the edges).
- Place on a rack in the upper third of a preheated 375° oven. Set an edged baking sheet on the rack below to catch any overflow.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the sides are fully puffed, the center is slightly puffed, and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cook for 15 minutes before cutting. To serve, dust with powdered sugar and cut into wedges.
I think I gained a few pounds from just looking at those mouth watering pictures! So delicious and fluffy, cant wait to try out the recipe.
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sms bradley Reply:
August 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
But, birthday cake pictures, this cake has no calories. heh heh… OK just kidding.
I do suggest that you have 4 people hanging out in the kitchen ready to eat this clafouti as it comes out of the oven. Otherwise, it’s hard to stop eating it yourself. I know this from experience, unfortunately. 
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Lord this looks insanely good. Ginger, apricots, butter… what’s not to love? I’m going to fool with other fruits, too. Plums? Juicy figs. What wouldn’t fly in this?
Dana Tommasino´s last blog ..Grilled White Nectarines, Lipstick Peppers, Soppressata, Fresh Ricotta, Basil, Rocolla & Lemon-Fennel-Chili Vinaigrette
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sms bradley Reply:
July 19th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Thank you, Dana! Ohhhh, figs + five spice, yes! Plums + ginger, yes. Sour cherries + almond, yes. Apples + cinnamon, yes. Pears + anise, yes. Blueberries + lavender, yes. Raspberries + rose petal, yes. Well, that should get us started.
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I love your take on the clafoutis…worked really well. Just baked it in little indiv pie dishes, using peaches. Haven’t tasted ‘em yet, but they look ever so pretty! Thank you for a beautiful post! ???
deeba´s last blog ..CHOCOLATE GENOISE CAKE with MOCHA MASCARPONE…CAKE NIRVANA
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sms bradley Reply:
July 19th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Deeba, thank you! Individual clafouti with peaches sound elegant and lovely. I would get out my Minton Hadden Hall whimsical floral china for that. Now you’ve made me hungry. I think I’ll try a blueberry lavender version.
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Those apricots are absolutely gorgeous! And, that cake, oh my goodness. It is heavenly. I really appreciate your detailed instructions (notes & all Susan:) It makes me feel like I too could bake something as incredible as this. Since, I don’t bake, that’s a good thing:)
A wonderful recipe, executed to perfection! Thank you for sharing…
Louise´s last blog ..Happy Grand Marnier Day!
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sms bradley Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Thank you, Louise, you are very kind!
This is the easiest cake in the world. My daughter is just starting to show an interest in cooking, and I plan to point her to this recipe, as I know she will have good success with it. So will you!
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hey Susan, yes you can substitute curd for yogurt in the baby poatoes’ recipe at my blog. There is no change in terms of flavour at all.
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sms bradley Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Awesome, thanks Navita!
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Oh wow, I had a cherry almond clafoutis at a friend’s house recently and it was delicious. I like your idea of using apricots too! Yum! Gorgeous photos.
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Thanks Lorna! Cherries and almonds would be great here too. I love that flavor combo. I wonder if I could work a little marzipan into this batter next time. Hmmm…
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my godddd what a wonderfullll food… it look so delicious…i love eating them in a Eugenio Dinnerware…
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Simply gorgeous. Can’t wait to try this!
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Thanks Julie! I’m sure the Queen Anne Farmers Market is overflowing with apricots right now. Will try to visit next weekend. Love Queen Anne!
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Those are great-looking apricots. Very nice clafouti too!
lisaiscooking´s last blog ..Tin Roof Sundae
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Thanks Lisa! Should we try a piece of this clafouti with a drizzle of your amazing hot fudge sauce? Or is that gilding the lily?
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I’m not a big eater of cakes, but this looks delicious!
Tim´s last blog ..Not your average pork & beans
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Thanks Tim! You might like this. It’s decidedly uncakey: chewy, moist, and loaded with over-the-top apricot flavor.
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You had me at apricot!! The pictures are amazing and made me instantly inspired to eat, I mean make this cake!
LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Masala Chai Recipe
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
LOL, thanks LoveFeast Table!
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WOW! love the twang in this recipe…custard and cake…simply irresistible
Navita´s last blog ..Dahi Aloo (Baby Potatoes in a Tangy Creamy Curd Gravy)….comforting ain’t it !!
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Thank you, Navita!
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I’m in love with this. Fruit in baking works for me, & those apricots look amazing. I have peaches on hand, & crystllised ginger. Another beautiful post!!
deeba´s last blog ..BACK TO SCHOOL VEGGIE PIZZA IN A GARLIC PESTO CREAM SAUCE
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sms bradley Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Thanks so much, Deeba!
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