Plum clafoutis

Ingredients

• 125ml/4½fl oz milk
• 125ml/4½fl oz double cream
• 2-3 drops vanilla essence
• 4 free-range eggs
• 170g/6oz caster sugar
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 30g/1oz butter
• 500g/1lb 2oz plums, cut in half, stones removed
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 30g/1oz flaked almonds (optional)
• icing sugar, for dusting
• double cream, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. Pour the milk, cream and vanilla into a pan and boil for a minute. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

3. Tip the eggs and sugar into a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Fold the flour into the mixture, a little at a time.

4. Pour the cooled milk and cream onto the egg and sugar mixture, whisking lightly. Set aside.

5. Place a little butter into an ovenproof dish and heat in the oven until foaming. Add the plums and brown sugar and bake for 5 minutes, then pour the batter into the dish and scatter with flaked almonds, if using.

6. Cook in the oven for about 30 minutes, until golden-brown and set but still light and soft inside.

7. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately with cream.