Flan

My Simple Flan Recipe: A Taste of Tradition

As a busy working mom, finding time to cook delicious meals can be a challenge. But sometimes, the simplest recipes are the most rewarding. That's why I love flan – it's elegant, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make, even on a weeknight. This recipe isn't overly sweet, which I appreciate, allowing the rich, creamy custard to truly shine. You can always add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter treat, or even experiment by substituting some of the sugar with sweetened condensed milk for a richer flavor.

The caramel is the star of the show, and while the process might seem a little daunting at first, it's actually quite simple. The key is to be patient and watch the sugar closely as it melts and transforms into that gorgeous golden color. I've experimented with both wet and dry methods of caramelization, and while the wet method supposedly saves time, I found it took longer in my experience, possibly due to the size and type of pan used. However, I did appreciate that the wet method offered a little more room for error and was less prone to burning. Regardless of your method, make sure to keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.

Once the caramel is poured into your pan (work quickly, it sets fast!), the rest is a breeze. The creamy egg custard is incredibly simple to mix together, combining eggs, yolks, milk, and warming spices. The gentle baking in a water bath ensures a perfectly smooth and creamy texture. The result is a flan with a rich, smooth custard and a beautifully crisp caramel topping - pure perfection! It's a dessert that always impresses, whether you're serving it to family or guests. And the best part? The majority of the prep time is minimal, allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones, rather than slaving away in the kitchen.

Serving Suggestions:

This flan is delightful on its own, but you can elevate it further with a few simple additions. A dollop of whipped cream adds a touch of lightness and sweetness, complementing the rich custard perfectly. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a dusting of cocoa powder adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the dessert's flavor profile. For a truly special occasion, consider serving it with fresh berries – the sweetness and acidity of the berries balance the richness of the flan beautifully. Regardless of how you choose to present it, this flan is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Storage:

Store leftover flan in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3-4 days. The caramel topping will set beautifully, creating a lovely, almost candy-like crust. When serving, let the flan sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps to soften the custard and make it easier to serve.

This recipe has become a staple in my home. It's a delightful dessert that's easy to make, tastes amazing, and always receives rave reviews. I encourage you to try it for yourself and discover the magic of homemade flan. It's more than just a dessert; it's a taste of tradition, a moment of indulgence, and a delicious testament to the simple pleasures in life.

So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and enjoy the process of creating this delightful treat. Happy baking!

Step-by-step

• Preheat Oven to 325
• In a saucepan or skillet caramelize the sugar:
  • bring 1/2 cup water to boil
  • mix in 1 cup sugar
  • stir while boiling until sugar is completely resolved
  • lower heat to low/medium low
  • stop stirring
  • watch "sugar water" begin to golden in color. This can take 5-10 minutes.
  • once you have reached a dark golden color (w/o burning / smoking) pour caramel/toffee into 8" pie pan or 8x8 baking pan. DO THIS QUICKLY, as it will harden quick. If it hardens before you finish pouring you can simply heat it up again on stove (or microwave if you're impatient)
• Mix evaporated milk and Milk into saucepan on medium/medium high. While this is boiling go make egg mixture.
• Mix eggs, egg yolks, remaining sugar (1/3 cup) , vanilla extract, cinnamon, and cloves. Once well mixed, milk mixture should be warm/hot.
• Continue mixing while slowly adding milk mixture
• Once well mixed, pour on top of caramel into pan.
• Take pan with mix and place it into a larger baking pan
• Microwave 1-2 cups water (enough to fill larger pan about halfway) to a boil.
• pour water into larger pan (for a water bath)
• Place larger pan with water and pan of flan mixture into oven
• Bake for 45 min.
• Let sit 24 hours (you can probably get away with letting it sit for a couple hours if you haven't planned ahead)