Apple Flaugnarde
Rustic yet elegant, this Apple Flaugnarde transforms simple ingredients into a custard-like dessert that’s both comforting and sophisticated! This French dessert is easy to make and perfect for cozy nights or a special holiday breakfast!
Why We Love This Apple Flaugnarde Recipe
This apple flaugnarde has the perfect balance of rustic charm and elegant simplicity! The soft, custardy base features tender apple pieces, with orange liqueur that adds a hint of sophistication. Unlike more complex French pastries, this recipe requires minimal preparation yet delivers impressive results that will make you feel like a accomplished baker.
Whether served warm or at room temperature, it maintains its appeal and delicate texture. The ingredients are pantry staples, making it possible to whip up whenever you want. Plus, you don’t need any special tools or equipment to make it.
Ingredients Needed
- Apples: Choose firm, tart-sweet varieties like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady!
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure and richness to the custard base.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works great here. If you need a gluten-free dessert, you can use an all-purpose gluten free flour that has a 1 to 1 cup ratio.
- Sugar: To sweeten things up!
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a lovely warming flavor.
- Grand Marnier: Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur will add a lovely orange aroma and depth of flavor!
- Milk: To create a silky smooth custard mixture!
- Butter & Sugar: Coat the pan with butter and sugar before baking.
How to Make Apple Flaugnarde
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish or baking dish with butter and dust with sugar.
- Prep the Apples: Peel, core and cube the apples. Set them aside.
- Start the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with sugar first. Add flour and continue to whisk until a smooth batter forms.
- Add Cinnamon & Liquids: Add cinnamon, Grand Marnier and gradually whisk in the milk until you have a slightly thin batter.
- Assemble the Flaugnarde: Evenly spread the cubed apples in the prepared baking dish. Pour the batter over the apples making sure they are evenly covered.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the flaugnarde is puffed up and golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let the flaugnarde cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips for Success
- Cut apples into uniform pieces! This ensures all pieces cook at the same rate and gives a consistent texture throughout. Aim for roughly 1-inch cubes for the perfect balance of tenderness while maintaining shape.
- Don’t skip sugaring and buttering the pan. The sugar creates a subtle caramelized crust and helps prevent sticking. It also adds a professional-looking finish and delicate crunch to the edges.
- Watch for proper doneness. The apple flaugnarde should be golden brown and slightly puffed, with a gentle wobble in the center when gently shaken. Be careful not to over bake!
Serving Suggestions
This French apple flaugnarde dessert shines best when served warm from the oven, topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar that melts slightly into the custardy surface.
For an extra-special touch, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche, which provides a lovely contrast to the warm dessert. If you’re feeling indulgent, a drizzle of caramel sauce or creme anglaise takes it to the next level, creating a dessert that’s seriously impressive!
Frequently Asked Questions
A flaugnarde is a classic French dessert similar to a clafoutis but made with fruits other than cherries. It features fruit baked in a thick custard-like batter made from eggs, milk, flour, and sugar. While a clafoutis traditionally contains black cherries, a flaugnarde typically includes apples, pears, or other fruits, resulting in a rustic yet elegant dessert that’s somewhere between a custard and a pancake in texture.
Yes! If you prefer, you can omit the alcohol from this apple flognarde recipe. You can add some vanilla extract (about 1 teaspoon) for an added layer of flavor in that case!
Yes! You can replace the apples with a variety of fresh fruit like pears or stone fruits easily in this recipe. You can also try making my blackberry flaugnarde instead!
More Dessert Recipes to Try
- Apricot Galette with Almond Cream
- Fresh Cherry Clafoutis
- Lemon Banana Cobbler
- Glazed Orange Cranberry Loaf
- Flaky Apple Tart
Apple Flaugnarde
Ingredients
- 3 medium apples cubed
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 oz Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter for greasing
- 1 tbsp sugar for sprinkling the pan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie dish or baking dish with butter and dust with sugar.
- Peel, core and cube the apples. Set them aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs with sugar first. Add flour and continue to whisk until a smooth batter forms.
- Add cinnamon, Grand Marnier and gradually whisk in the milk until you have a slightly thin batter.
- Evenly spread the cubed apples in the prepared baking dish. Pour the batter over the apples making sure they are evenly covered.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the flaugnarde is puffed up and golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the flaugnarde cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
