Flan - Creamy, caramel custard
Creamy Caramel Flan is a luxurious, smooth custard dessert that is popular in Latin American, Spanish, Portuguese, and Filipino cuisines. It features a velvety texture with a rich taste of vanilla and caramel. To make this dessert, sugar is melted until golden and poured into the bottom of a baking dish to create the signature caramel topping. A mixture of eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract is then carefully blended and poured over the caramel. The flan is cooked in a water bath (bain-marie) to ensure gentle and even cooking, resulting in a silky texture. Once cooled and set, the flan is inverted onto a plate, revealing the golden caramel sauce that drizzles down the sides. It is a perfect dessert for any celebration or as a sweet end to a family meal. Description by ChatGPT.
Welcome back to Cooking Con Claudia’s kitchen! Today, I am thrilled to share with you a foolproof recipe for a classic Mexican dessert - a rich, creamy flan with a smooth caramel layer that is both easy and incredibly delightful. This traditional Mexican flan recipe is straightforward and perfect for those looking to impress at their next gathering. Get ready to indulge in the soft texture and exquisite taste of homemade flan that will keep everyone asking for more!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon Mexican vanilla blend
- A few drops of lime juice
- 1 can evaporated milk (12 oz)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
- Fresh strawberries for garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Cake pan or flan mold (lightly greased)
- Whisk
- Blender or mixer
- Strainer
- Aluminum foil
- Steamer pot or pot with lid and rack
- Heat-resistant plate for serving
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes plus cooling and chilling (overnight or at least 4 hours)
Servings: 8-10
Instructions:
1. Begin by making the caramel: Set a saucepan on medium heat and add one cup of sugar. Let it melt for about four minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even melting. Once it completely melts and turns into caramel, turn off the heat and pour it into the greased cake pan.
2. Prepare the water bath: Fill a pot with about five cups of water and place a rack inside. Set it on medium-high heat and allow it to come to a simmer.
3. For the flan mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat five room-temperature eggs lightly with a whisk to avoid incorporating too much air. Stir in a pinch of salt, one tablespoon of Mexican vanilla blend, and a few drops of lime juice to cut the eggy flavor.
4. Incorporate one can of evaporated milk and one cup of heavy cream into the egg mixture. Add one can of sweetened condensed milk and blend everything together until thoroughly combined.
5. Strain the flan mixture through a sieve to ensure it's smooth and then carefully pour it over the caramel layer in the cake pan.
6. Cover the cake pan with aluminum foil, sealing it tightly to prevent water from getting into the flan.
7. Place the covered pan into the pot with the simmering water. Cover the whole pot with a lid, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and steam the flan for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
8. After the steaming process, carefully uncover the flan, being mindful of any condensation on the foil. The flan should be slightly jiggly, indicating it's done. Turn off the heat and allow the flan to cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing it from the water. Let it come to room temperature.
9. Once the flan has cooled, refrigerate it for at least four hours or overnight to set.
10. To unmold the flan, gently press down on the edges and invert it onto a serving plate. If necessary, run a knife around the edges to help release it.
11. Carefully lift the pan and serve your flan garnished with fresh strawberries.
Cooking Tips:
- Avoid beating the eggs vigorously, as this may incorporate unwanted air and affect the texture of your flan.
- The caramel may be extremely hot; handle it with care and work swiftly to ensure that it lines the bottom of your pan evenly before it hardens.
This recipe is brought to you by Cooking Con Claudia. Visit their YouTube channel for more delightful recipes: [Cooking Con Claudia](https://www.youtube.com/@CookingConClaudia)
#flan #dessert #mexican #caramel #cooking #chef #traditional #cookwithconfidence #yummy #sweet #tasty #familyrecipe #delicious #homemade #cookingconclaudia #chatgpt
Comments