Flan de Leche

Flan de Leche (Milk Flan)

Time: about 1 hour 15 minutes

Serving Size: Approximately 6

Ingredients:

½ cup white sugar

5 eggs

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Prep:

• Preheat oven to 350 °F.

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, add the sugar and bring to high heat. Melt the sugar until it becomes a clear light brown color.

2. Pour into a flan mold and carefully tilt around until the bottom and sides of the mold are covered (about half way up). Set aside to cool.

3. Beat the eggs, then add the condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla. Gently mix everything well to avoiding to incorporate air bubbles.

4. Pour mixture into the caramelized flan mold.

5. Place in a bain marie. The water should reach the level of the flan mixture.

6. Bake in oven for about 1 hour, or until a stick comes out clean (alternatively, you can cook in a pressure cooker with ¾ cups water for 20-25 minutes).

7. Allow to cool to room temperature before unmolding. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Notes & Comments:

• Add a splash of water (about a tablespoon) to the sugar before heating. This allows it to melt more evenly and prevents it from browning too quickly.

• You can add all custard ingredients in a blender and blending it for a few seconds, until just incorporated.

• It is recommended to make this the day before serving so that it can be refrigerated overnight. It tastes better the following day.

• You can also make individual flans by dividing the mixture among small round ramekins.

• Although this recipe is simple to make, it is easy to mess up, as I did on my first try. Although the flavor was good, the texture was off. To avoid my mistakes:

  • Do not whisk the mixture vigorously. Avoid air bubbles because they ruin the smooth and creamy texture during baking.

  • Use a flan mold with a small diameter and tall sides.

• This recipe wasn't bad, but it was not my favorite flan recipe. Here's is a family recipe I prefer:

  • Caramelize a flan mold

  • In a blender, pour 1 can evaporated milk, 1 can condensed milk, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp. vanilla, and 1/2 tsp. salt and blend until everything is mixed.

  • Pour into flan mold and bake in oven for 1 hour.

  • Allow to cool, then unmold and refrigerate.

Serve cold, preferably the following day.

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Receta Original

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FLAN DE LECHE

½ taza azúcar blanca   

5 huevos

1 lata leche condensada        

1 taza leche

1 cdta. de vainilla

        Ponga al fuego la media taza de azúcar hasta que se derrita y bañe con ese caramelo un molde de flan. Bata los huevos, claras y yemas, y añádales la leche condensada, la de vaca y la vainilla. Unalo todo bien y póngalo en el molde acaramelado. Cocínelo al baño de María hasta que al introducirle un palillo salga seco. En una olla de presión cocínelo a 15 libras de presión con tres cuartos taza de agua durante 20 ó 25 minutos.