Mexican Cooking – Flan Caramel Custard

Flan is a classic Mexican dessert. It is a custard made with eggs and flavored with vanilla. What makes it special is the caramelized sugar topping. It’s easy to prepare and most cooks will always have the ingredients on hand. Make it the night before you plan to serve it because after baking it needs to chill.

Ingredients

1/3 cup Sugar

2 Large eggs

1 can Sweetened condensed milk (1 2/3 cups)

1/4 cup Sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

To caramelize the sugar: in a small skillet heat and stir 1/3 cup of sugar over medium heat until is melts and becomes golden brown. Pour the caramelized sugar into a three cup ring mold and cover the bottom and sides of ring by tilting it.

To prepare the custard mixture: in a mixing bowl beat the eggs and then stir in the milk, sugar and vanilla. Blend well.

Pour mixture into the ring mold. Place the mold in a baking pan deep enough to hold one inch of water. Pour one inch of hot water into the baking pan. Bake, uncovered at 325 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes. Test for doness by inserting a knife halfway between the center and the edge of the custard. It should come out clean when it is done. Cool completely and chill in the refrigerator overnight. To serve, invert the custard on a serving platter. The caramelized sugar will be liquid. Spoon over the custard to evenly cover it. Serves 4-6.

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