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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Chocolate Recipes

    Easy Chocolate & Fig Clafoutis โ€“ A French-Inspired Dessert

    Published: Sep 9, 2023 ยท Modified: Apr 20, 2025 by Emily Laurae ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Chocolate Fig Clafoutis.

    Indulge in a plateful of custardy, chocolate goodness with this Chocolate Fig Clafoutis. A flavorful spin on a classic French dessert I tried during my time living in Paris, this recipe features sweet figs, rich cocoa powder, and can be made in just over 30 minutes!

    Slices of baked chocolate clafoutis with figs on plates with forks
    Jump to:
    • โญ Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipeย 
    • โ“ What is a clafoutis?
    • ๐ŸดIngredients
    • ๐Ÿ“–ย Step by Step Instructions
    • โฒ๏ธ Substitutions & Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • ๐Ÿ’ญ Recipe FAQs
    • Looking for more decadent chocolate recipes?
    • Easy Chocolate & Fig Clafoutis Dessert
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    โญ Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe 

    Can you think of anything better than chocolate and figs for breakfast? This perfect combination comes together in a Chocolate Fig Clafoutis. Served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar, this elegant, pancake-like French recipe can be enjoyed as a decadent breakfast or light dessert. 

    I know French desserts can seem intimidating, but a clafoutis can be made by almost everyone. All you need is a cake pan or cast-iron skillet, pantry-staple ingredients, fresh figs, and 30 minutes to get it all done. In the end, youโ€™ll have a rich and decadent dessert thatโ€™s a level above your typical Dutch baby or stack of pancakes.

    Craving more rich and decadent French desserts? Then you must try my Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart and Dark Chocolate Macarons!

    Easy Chocolate & Fig Clafoutis Dessert in a cast iron skillet.

    โ“ What is a clafoutis?

    Clafoutis (pronounced โ€œcla-foo-teeโ€) is a French dessert that strikes the perfect balance between being easy and elegant. The batter is closer to a custard than a traditional cake batter and is traditionally decorated with fresh cherries or berries. The finished texture is similar to a Dutch baby or a thick pancake and is best served warm with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream on top.

    ๐ŸดIngredients

    This French dessert is made from simple pantry-staple ingredients and sweetened with fresh figs instead of berries. This is what you need:

    • All purpose flour - A little of this goes a long way; overdo it and the clafoutis will be too dry. Whole wheat flour or a 1:1 gluten free flour blend should also work.  
    • Cocoa powder - Use Dutch processed cocoa powder for a deep and rich chocolate flavor. 
    • Figs - When baked, this colorful fruit will add a honey-like sweetness to your chocolate clafoutis. Fig skin is edible, but you can peel them if you prefer.
    • Brown sugar - For a light caramel flavor and, of course, sweetness!
    • Vanilla - Balances the other rich and tart flavors in the clafoutis. Enhance these flavors even more by making your own vanilla extract!
    Closeup of a slice of baked chocolate clafoutis with figs on a plate

    ๐Ÿ“– Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1: Make the batter. In a blender, combine the eggs, whole milk, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.

    Step 2: Prepare and assemble. Pour the blended batter into a buttered baking dish or cast iron skillet. Lightly press the fig halves into the batter.

    Step 3: Bake, top, and serve. Bake your clafoutis until puffed and golden. Allow the cake to cool slightly before topping with powdered sugar, then slice and enjoy!

    Raw, unbaked chocolate clafoutis with figs placed in the batter.

    โฒ๏ธ Substitutions & Variations

    I love the balance of sweet figs and bitter cocoa in this easy clafoutis recipe, however, you can easily make it your own by swapping the figs for the fresh fruit of your choice. Use any of the following suggestions for inspiration:

    • Cherries
    • Apples
    • Blueberries
    • Pears
    • Blackberries
    • Raspberries
    • Plums
    • Cranberries

    If you're a chocolate lover, you'll love my chocolate mousse cups, chocolate old fashioned donuts, yuzu chocolate mousse or even my chocolate old fashioned cocktail!

    Expert Tips

    • For an authentic touch inspired by Julia Child's "Art of French Cooking", use a large bowl to whisk your batter ingredients to the right texture, ensuring your large eggs are at room temperature to create a perfect thick custard.
    • Almond flour is a great alternative to regular flour if you're catering to a gluten-free diet, and it complements the almond extract, enhancing the overall almond flavor in the clafoutis.
    • While the traditional clafoutis from the Limousin region of France uses black cherries with pits intact, black mission figs make for a delightful twist; just remember to sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking until golden brown.
    • Serving the clafoutis with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of icing sugar is a sweet treat on its own, but consider adding a little bit of orange zest or extra cherries for a burst of flavor.
    Slice of baked chocolate clafoutis with figs on a plate.

    ๐Ÿ’ญ Recipe FAQs

    How can you tell a clafoutis is done baking?

    By using the toothpick test! When itโ€™s done baking, insert a toothpick in the center of the clafoutis. If the toothpick comes out clean, the clafoutis is ready to enjoy.

    What does a clafoutis taste like?

    Clafoutis is a custardy, almost flan-like dessert with a light fruity flavor. The texture will likely remind you of a thick pancake or chocolate soufflรฉ.

    What kind of pan or equipment do you need to bake a clafoutis?

    I like to bake my clafoutis in a well-buttered 10-inch cast-iron skillet. If you donโ€™t own a cast iron or oven-safe pan, you can use a high-sided pie pan or small baking dish instead.

    Can you make a clafoutis ahead of time?

    Assemble and bake the chocolate clafoutis up to 1 day ahead of time. Keep it covered in the fridge until itโ€™s time to serve, then reheat it for a few minutes in the oven so it can be served warm.

    How do you store leftover clafoutis?

    You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.ย 

    Closeup of baked chocolate clafoutis

    Looking for more decadent chocolate recipes?

    • Slices of brownie topped with cream cheese frosting on a platter.
      Fudgy Dark Chocolate Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Blackberry chocolate cake with figs and salted caramel.
      Blackberry Chocolate Cake with Figs & Salted Caramel
    • Slice of raspberry ganache tart on a plate.
      How to Make Raspberry Ganache Recipe with Dark Chocolate
    • Chocolate covered rice krispie treats on a cooling rack.
      The Ultimate Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats

    If you try the recipe for this Chocolate & Fig Clafoutis , please leave a ๐ŸŒŸ review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! ๐Ÿ“ง 

    Chocolate Fig Clafoutis

    Easy Chocolate & Fig Clafoutis Dessert

    Indulge in a plateful of custardy, chocolate goodness with this Chocolate Fig Clafoutis. A flavorful spin on a classic French dessert, this recipe features sweet figs, rich cocoa powder, and can be made in just over 30 minutes!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: French
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 Slices
    Calories: 175kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet or 10 inch cake pan lined with parchment
    • Blender
    • Knife, Plates & Forks for serving

    Ingredients

    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 cup (250 g) whole milk
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • ยผ cup + 3 Tablespoons (50 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
    • ยฝ cup (110 g) brown sugar
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • 3 cups figs, halved
    • 1 Tablespoon demerara or turbinado sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF and grease your 10-inch cast-iron skillet or baking pan using a baking spray or softened butter
    • Add the eggs, whole milk, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth. Then, pour the batter into the prepared skillet.
      4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, ยผ cup + 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder, ยฝ cup brown sugar, ยผ teaspoon salt
    • Arrange the figs, sliced in half, by laying them skin side down into the batter ever so gently. Then, sprinkle with demerara sugar before baking.
      3 cups figs, 1 Tablespoon demerara or turbinado sugar
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the clafoutis is puffed and a dark, golden brown on top. It may be a bit challenging to establish a cooked color as the clafoutis is chocolate - use a toothpick to test if the clafoutis is fully baked by placing it into the middle of the clafoutis. If you do not see any wet batter when removing the toothpick, you are good to go!
    • Once cooled, sprinkle with confectioners sugar to serve.
      1 Tablespoon powdered sugar

    Video

    Notes

    Frequently asked questions
    • How can you tell a clafoutis is done baking? By using the toothpick test! When itโ€™s done baking, insert a toothpick in the center of the clafoutis. If the toothpick comes out clean, the clafoutis is ready to enjoy.
    • What does a clafoutis taste like? Clafoutis is a custardy, almost flan-like dessert with a light fruity flavor. The texture will likely remind you of a thick pancake or chocolate soufflรฉ.
    • What kind of pan or equipment do you need to bake a clafoutis? I like to bake my clafoutis in a well-buttered 10-inch cast iron skillet. If you donโ€™t own a cast iron or oven-safe pan, you can use a high-sided pie pan or small baking dish instead.
    • Can you make a clafoutis ahead of time? Assemble and bake the chocolate clafoutis up to 1 day ahead of time. Keep it covered in the fridge until itโ€™s time to serve, then reheat it for a few minutes in the oven so it can be served warm.
    • How do you store leftover clafoutis? You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

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      Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Dark Chocolate Ganache
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      Easy Spiced Dark Chocolate Orange Coffee
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      Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts with Chocolate Glaze - Perfect for Brunch!
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      Easy Chocolate Mousse Cups Recipe (With Video)

    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Madison

      September 09, 2023 at 8:04 pm

      Havenโ€™t made yet but want to try! Can I substitute melted chocolate for the powder if I have some I want to use?

      Reply
      • Emily Laurae

        September 17, 2023 at 11:05 am

        Sadly, I don't believe that will work!! Can't wait to hear what you think! Thanks for your question!

        Reply
    2. Pam

      July 04, 2023 at 9:36 am

      Hi! How high does the pie vessel need to be. I have a ceramic 10" round galette type of vessel and just over an inch high. What do you think?

      Reply
      • Emily Laurae

        August 25, 2023 at 3:17 pm

        A ten inch pie vessel should work perfectly!

        Reply
        • Baby chef

          January 03, 2024 at 7:33 am

          Should the batter be runny??

          Reply
          • Emily Laurae

            January 04, 2024 at 1:44 pm

            Yes! The batter should be quite runny after blending ๐Ÿ˜Š

            Reply
    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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