Citrus Caramel Flan
Submitted by mssandi
A silky baked custard infused with orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves, set over golden homemade caramel with slivers of candied orange peel. Low-fat, elegant, and worth the overnight chill.
YIELD
6 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
1 hrsREADY
1 hrsThis flan is pure elegance in a custard cup.
The milk gets steeped with orange peel, a cinnamon stick, and whole cloves until it’s fragrant and warm, like something you’d smell drifting out of a Spanish pastry shop.
That spiced milk becomes the base of a smooth, barely sweet custard that bakes in a water bath until it’s just set and trembling.
Underneath, a golden caramel laced with orange zest slivers melts into a glossy sauce when you unmold each flan onto a plate.
Kitchen Tips
- Steep the milk for the full 15 minutes. Rushing this step means losing all those warm spice notes.
- Add the cold water to the hot caramel carefully. It will sputter and bubble up aggressively.
- The water bath is non-negotiable. It keeps the custard cooking gently and prevents cracking or curdling.
- Chill overnight, not just a few hours. The texture and flavor both improve dramatically with a full rest.
Ingredients
Directions
FOR CARAMEL: Divide orange peel among six ¾ cup custard cups.
Combine sugar and lemon juice in heavy small saucepan.
Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves.
Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns golden, brushing down sides of saucepan with wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming and swirling saucepan occasionally, about 7 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons water (caramel may bubble up); swirl saucepan to combine.
Pour caramel over strips of orange peel in custard cups, dividing evenly.
FOR CUSTARD: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325℉ (160℃).
Combine milk, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon in heavy medium saucepan.
Heat over medium heat until tiny bubbles form around edge of pan, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Cover and steep 15 minutes.
Strain milk mixture, discarding solids.
Whisk eggs, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl to blend.
Gradually whisk in warm milk.
Pour custard over caramel in cups.
Place cups in large baking pan.
Transfer baking pan to oven.
Carefully add enough boiling water to baking pan to come halfway up sides of cups.
Bake until custards are set and knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Cool in water bath on rack 2 hours.
Remove cups from water bath; cover with plastic and chill overnight.
Loosen edges of caramel, using tip of small knife.
Invert onto plates, letting caramel drip over custard; serve.
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