Plain Flan Recipes

PLAIN FLAN

Steps:

• Prepare the caramel and coat a 9-inch round cake pan, reserving the extra caramel sauce in the refrigerator as directed above. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large mixing bowl gently whisk together eggs, egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract and half-and-half. Whisk together without incorporating any air. In saucepan pour condensed milk. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and, using tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds into the milk. Add the bean and bring to a boil. Once milk has reached a boil, pour into egg mixture, whisking continuously, until fully combined. Pass through a strainer into the caramel coated cake pan. Place inside a large roasting pan and pour hot tap water into the roasting pan until it rises halfway up the sides of the flan. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the center feels firm when pressed. Set aside to cool in the pan of water. Once cool, remove from the water bath, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or overnight. To serve, run a knife along the inside of the pan and gently press the center of the bottom to loosen. Cover with a platter, invert and lift off the pan. Excess caramel can be drained from the cake pan and added to the reserved caramel sauce. Cut in wedges and serve topped with cold caramel sauce.

THE PERFECT FLAN

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Combine cream, milk and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream mixture; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in another heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Quickly pour caramel into six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat sides. Set ramekins into 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Whisk eggs, egg yolks and 7 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually and gently whisk cream mixture into egg mixture without creating lots of foam. Pour custard through small sieve into prepared ramekins, dividing evenly (mixture will fill ramekins). Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 40 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead.)
• To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan. Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans and serve.

SPANISH FLAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt sugar until liquefied and golden in color. Carefully pour hot syrup into a 9 inch round glass baking dish, turning the dish to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs. Beat in condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla until smooth. Pour egg mixture into baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes. Let cool completely.
• To serve, carefully invert on serving plate with edges when completely cool.