Flan
User Reviews
4.9
Flan
Description
The recipe starts with preparing a caramel topping by dissolving granulated sugar in warm water, cooking it until it reaches an amber color, then carefully adding more warm water to adjust consistency. This hot caramel is poured into an ungreased baking dish and swirled to coat the bottom evenly, forming a crisp caramel base.
The custard mixture combines softened cream cheese with sugar, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract. The cream cheese contributes a denser, silkier texture compared to traditional flan. This mixture is poured over the caramel in the baking dish.
The dish is baked in a water bath, which involves placing the flan-filled pan in a larger roasting pan filled with boiling water. This method ensures gentle heat distribution, which prevents curdling and promotes a smooth custard consistency. Once baked and cooled, the flan is inverted so that the caramel topping is displayed on top.
Omitting the cream cheese and its added sugar creates a more traditional style flan. Careful temperature control and avoiding opening the oven door during baking helps maintain consistent heat and reduce baking time variability.
Ingredients
Caramel topping
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp water warm
Flan custard mixture
- 1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese well softened (see notes
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 large egg
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Bring plenty of water to a boil in a pot or kettle to use as a water bath (the flan will be baked in a dish set in a roasting pan surrounded by the boiling water). Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- For the caramel topping: have an ungreased 9-inch by 2-inch cake pan ready or a 2-quart round baking dish or souffle pan.
- In a medium saucepan whisk together 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water. Set over medium heat, cook stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved and mixture begins to boil.
- Once boiling stop stirring and let cook until it's nearing just an amber color. Remove from heat, let rest 5 seconds then add remaining 1 Tbsp warm water (it will steam and sputter slightly so stand back!), whisk to blend.
- Immediately pour caramelized sugar into cake pan or 2-quart baking dish and carefully tilt in a circular motion to coat the entire surface of bottom of the pan (careful pan will be hot!). Set aside.
- For the flan custard mixture: in a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer blend together cream cheese and 2 Tbsp sugar just until smooth.
- Mix in eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition. Then mix in sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla extract.
- Pour milk mixture over caramel layer in cake pan. Set pan in a roasting pan large enough to fit with extra space surrounding. Pour in enough boiling water around cake pan to reach about halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
- Bake until nearly set (it should still wiggle just slightly when jiggled), about 50 - 60 minutes.**
- Carefully remove from water bath (roasting pan with water) and set on wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Transfer to fridge and let chill 4 hours.
- Run a sharp knife around the flan right up next to the pan, then place a large rimmed serving plate over the pan. While holding the plate in place, flip the flan to the opposite side and let it fall onto the plate.
- Slice and serve. Store in refrigerator.
Notes
- Omitting cream cheese and additional sugar produces a more traditional flan texture and sweetness.
- Ensure oven heat is stable by not opening the door during baking; temperature loss can increase cooking time by up to 15 minutes.
- Use a water bath while baking to maintain gentle, even heat and prevent custard curdling.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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