Traditional Flan (Caramel Custard)
Flan is a classic caramel custard dessert made by baking a smooth, egg-based custard over a layer of melted sugar that becomes a bittersweet caramel sauce when inverted. The key is a gentle water bath, which keeps the custard silky and evenly set. Plan on about 1 hour of baking plus chilling time before serving.
Equipment
- 8-inch round cake pan
- Baking dish for water bath
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
For the Caramel:
- 1 cup granulated sugar for the caramel
For the Custard:
- 6 large eggs room temperature
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk one can
- 12 oz whole milk 1 1/2 cups
- 1 tsp vanilla extract pure
Instructions
- Prepare the Caramel: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring gently until it turns a deep amber color. Quickly pour the caramel into the 8-inch round cake pan, tilting to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside to cool and harden.
- Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Caramel and Custard: Pour the custard mixture over the set caramel in the cake pan.
- Bake the Flan: Place the cake pan into a larger baking dish. Fill the larger dish with hot water to halfway up the sides of the cake pan to create a water bath. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, or until the custard is set but the center still jiggles slightly.
- Cool and Unmold: Remove the pan from the water bath and allow it to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack. Once cool, refrigerate the flan until cold, approximately 2 hours. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the pan and invert onto a serving plate.
Notes
- For a lighter custard, you can substitute half the whole milk with cream.
- Ensure the caramel is not too dark to avoid a bitter taste.
- To enhance the vanilla flavor, try adding a vanilla bean pod to the milk before mixing.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 10gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 133mgPotassium: 301mgSugar: 54gVitamin A: 404IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 1mg
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