Flan for One

I heart flan, but my husband is not a huge fan of custard desserts. If I made flan, I’d be left eating the entire pan. Not good. This was the perfect solution to my dilemma. Creamy, satisfying and so easy to whip up. Now I just have to refrain from making it on a daily basis.

Flan for One (or two)

2 T + 1 t sugar, divided

1 egg

1/2 c milk

1/4 t vanilla

1.  Preheat oven to 300.  Have your ramekin or baking dish next to the stove.  Heat a small saucepan over med-low and add 1 T of sugar.  Evenly distribute the sugar in the pan and let sit until the sugar melts.  This takes a few minutes, but be patient and watch carefully.  Sugar burns very quickly.  When the sugar is an amber/caramel color, pour the  sugar into your waiting ramekin and swirl to coat the bottom and sides.  Set the ramekin aside.

2.  Beat the egg slightly in a small bowl.  Add 4 t of sugar and whisk until the mixture is slightly foamy and the sugar is dissolved.  Add the milk and vanilla and whisk to combine.  Pour mixture into the ramekin.  Place the ramekin in a deep baking dish and put into the oven.  Pour boiling water into the baking dish to a depth of 1-2 inches.  Bake for 1 hour or until set.  Cool completely.  May be served at room temperature or cold from the fridge.

This is the first time I’ve ever attempted to make flan.  It was so easy!  I want to smack myself for not trying it earlier.  My flan turned out very light in texture and had tiny holes.  I like my flan on the denser, creamier side.  I used skim milk mixed with some egg nog this go around.  Next time I think I’ll use at least 2% milk.  The egg nog flavor was good, but it ended up being too sweet for me.  If you use egg nog instead of milk, I’d cut the sugar down a little bit.  Unless you like super sweet.  I also read some things after the fact that I’ll try next time to achieve the creaminess I love.  Some suggestions were to strain the custard mixture and to make sure that the custard bakes slowly.  I think my oven runs hot so that might have been one of my issues.  The mixture was a little bubbly to start with also.

I’m very excited about this kitchen experiment.  Hooray for single servings of flan! 😀