Flan

Simple to make and simple to mess up
my family"s favorite dessert

Flan

6 eggs

1 quart half and half

1 C. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

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3/4 C. sugar

Heat water in the microwave and have a large pan ready. Melt 3/4 C. sugar in saucepan on stove top over med. heat. When sugar is completely melted and light brown, quickly  pour melted sugar into bottom of flan container. Place the half and half in a small saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Cook just until it begins to steam.  Meanwhile, use a whisk or mixer to beat the eggs with the sugar. Add the cream gradually to the egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour the mixture into the container with melted sugar on bottom. Place the container full of flan into a large baking pan and pour hot water around it, to within about 1 inch of the top of the flan containers. Bake at 325 until the mixture is not quite set--it should wobble just a little in the middle--about 30 - 40 min depending on the size of container or containers. Can be made in individual ramekins, but you have to be fast with the melted sugar. Chill completely before serving. To serve, tun a knife around the edge of container, put an inverted plate on top of flan and quickly flip so the flan falls onto the plate.

Troubleshooting

What's wrong with my flan???

1. Texture is too hard and/or not smooth and creamy

       your flan is over-cooked. Texture problems can also be caused by poor incorporation of the egg and cream. Make sure this is done gradually while stirring constantly, a hand blender works well

2. Flan is runny

         Either you did not let it chill completely or it is undercooked