Special Leche Flan Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is thickened and light brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Spread caramel evenly over the inside of a flan mold, tilting the mold to make sure the whole surface is covered.
• Combine evaporated milk, condensed milk, egg yolks, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Stir lightly to prevent bubbles or foam from forming. Strain batter slowly into the caramel-lined flan mold. Cover with aluminum foil. Place mold onto a baking pan filled with water.
• Bake in the preheated oven until firm, about 1 hour. Let cool, about 30 minutes. Invert carefully onto a platter.

Steps:

• Add about 2 tablespoons of the sugar to a small saucepan over low heat. Allow the sugar to melt, about 15 minutes. Gradually add a tablespoon of sugar at a time, slowly swirling it and allowing it to melt in before adding the next tablespoon. This is a long process, which needs constant attention to avoid burning. When all the sugar is completely melted, it will become a rich, dark caramel color, about 40 to 45 minutes.
• Carefully pour the caramel into a 9-inch cake pan, coating the bottom of the pan. Allow to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Prepare a water bath: Place a large roasting pan on the middle rack of the oven. Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil, then carefully pour it into the roasting pan in the oven.
• When the caramel is cool, slowly whisk together the egg yolks in a medium bowl, then add the evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla extract and lemon zest (if using). Whisk gently to avoid adding air into the custard. Air will cause bubbles, taking away from the smooth and dense texture.
• Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into the cake pan. Lightly tap the pan on the counter to release any air bubbles.
• Once the oven is at 350 degrees F, carefully place the cake pan in the water bath.
• Bake until the center of the custard is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove the cake pan from the water and allow the custard to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours and up to 5 days.
• To serve, unmold the flan: Allow the flan to come to room temperature (see Cook's Note). Take a sharp paring knife and run it between the edge of the flan and the cake pan. Hold a large plate firmly over the pan and, in one smooth motion, invert the plate and pan. Carefully remove the pan.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Combine 1 cup sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is thickened and light brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Line the inside of a flan mold with the caramel mixture, tilting the mold to make sure the whole surface is covered.
• Combine remaining 1 cup sugar, evaporated milk, egg yolks, and lime zest in a bowl. Gently mix, not beat, until yolks are all broken and blended. Strain the custard through a sieve to remove the zest. Pour mixture into the flan mold. Place flan mold in a larger baking pan filled with water.
• Bake in the preheated oven until firm, about 2 hours.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Melt sugar in a small saucepan over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. When sugar has melted and is a deep amber color, quickly pour into flan molds and set aside.
• Put a kettle of water on to boil for the water bath. Scald milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the dulce de leche until dissolved and remove fro heat. While milk is heating, whisk together the eggs, yolks, and vanilla unti pale yellow.
• Very slowly drizzle the milk and dulce de leche into the eggs, whisking constantly. As the eggs become tempered, increase the speed of pouring. When all the milk mixture is incorporated, pour the custard into the molds over the caramel. Place the molds in a high sided baking pan and carefully pour hot water around them, coming to an inch from the tops. BAke flans for 30-40 minutes, until set in the center. Remove from water bath and allow to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then chill. To serve, place each mold in boiling water for 30 seconds, then run a knife around the inside to loosen. Invert on a serving plate and allow caramel to run over the flans.