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One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis

One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis

A traditional clafoutis is dessert; a savory one is a midday savior. By baking this rich, custardy batter in a shallow sheet pan, we maximize the lacy, caramelized Gruyère edges while the center stays silky. Sweet cherry tomatoes blister whole in the high heat, turning into jammy pockets of flavor. One bowl, no pastry rolling, zero compromise.

Camille Roux
Camille Roux
·Updated
Prep: 12 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
6
easy
lunchappetizer
savory-bakingsheet-pancafe-stylesummer-lunch+1

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Timeline

52 minutes
0m15m30m45m52m
Preheat & Prep Pan
Whisk the Batter
5m
Assemble Fillings
Pour & Season
Bake Clafoutis
30m
Cool & Slice
10m

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Cultured butter(Softened, for greasing the pan)
  • 4 Large eggs(Room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp Cultured butter(Melted and slightly cooled, for the batter)
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 1.5 lbs Cherry tomatoes(Mixed colors, kept whole)
  • 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese(Coarsely grated)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp Flaky sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper(Freshly ground)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously grease a 9x13-inch quarter sheet pan with 1 tbsp cultured butter. Smear it everywhere. Butter is not a garnish; here, it's the barrier that guarantees those coveted crispy edges instead of a stuck mess.

    3 min

    Tip: A metal sheet pan is crucial here. It conducts heat rapidly, giving you a superior crust-to-crumb ratio compared to a ceramic baking dish.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the 4 large eggs, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 3 tbsp melted cultured butter. Add the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and whisk until entirely smooth. Slowly stream in the 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream, whisking gently just to combine. Do not overbeat once the dairy is in, or the custard will bake up tight like a bad alibi.

    5 min

    Tip: Why it works: Whisking the flour into the egg-fat mixture first prevents the lumps that usually plague thin batters. Silky batter equals silky custard.

  3. 3

    Scatter the 1.5 lbs cherry tomatoes evenly across the buttered sheet pan. Top them with an even layer of the 1.5 cups Gruyère cheese and sprinkle over the 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves.

    2 min

    Tip: Leave the tomatoes whole. If you cut them, their juices will bleed and turn your beautiful custard into a watery swamp.

  4. 4

    Pour the batter gently over the tomatoes and cheese. Finish by scattering the 1 tsp flaky sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly across the surface.

    2 min

  5. 5

    Bake on the middle rack for 25 to 30 minutes. You are looking for deeply golden, lacy edges and a center that has a slight wobble but zero standing liquid. The tomatoes should look blistered and furious.

    30 min

    Tip: Check at 25 minutes. If it's puffing wildly on the sides but pale in the center, rotate the pan.

  6. 6

    Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. The extreme puff will deflate—this is normal. Let time do the work as the custard finishes setting. Slice into large squares and serve warm. We're not suffering for lunch.

    10 min

    Tip: A sharply dressed, highly acidic arugula salad on the side is the perfect counterpoint to the rich Gruyère.

Chef's Notes

Cami's shortcut note: The fridge is your friend. You can blend the batter the night before and store it in an airtight container. A rested batter actually hydrates the flour better and yields an even more tender crumb. Just give it a good stir before pouring it into the pan. Don't skip the whole tomatoes—the joy of this dish is biting into them and experiencing that burst of concentrated summer sweetness against the savory, nutty cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis take to make?

One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis takes about 42 minutes total. That includes 12 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 servings.

What skill level is needed for One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis?

The main ingredients are: Cultured butter, Large eggs, Dijon mustard, Cultured butter, All-purpose flour, Whole milk, Heavy cream, Cherry tomatoes, Gruyère cheese, Fresh thyme leaves, Flaky sea salt, Black pepper.

What type of meal is One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis?

One-Bowl Cherry Tomato & Gruyère Slab Clafoutis is categorized as: lunch, appetizer.