Cream Caramel Recipe

Cream caramel, also known as flan or caramel custard, is a delightful dessert that combines smooth custard with a rich caramel sauce. Here’s a recipe to make cream caramel at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup condensed milk

For the caramel:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water.
2. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Increase the heat to high and let it boil without stirring until it turns into a deep amber caramel color.
4. Immediately pour the caramel into individual ramekins or a large baking dish. Tilt the dish to evenly coat the bottom.
5. Set aside and let the caramel cool and harden.

For the custard:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. In a separate saucepan, heat the whole milk and condensed milk over medium heat until it just starts to simmer.
4. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
5. Strain the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
6. Pour the custard mixture into the prepared caramel-coated ramekins or baking dish.

Baking:

1. Place the ramekins or baking dish in a larger baking pan.
2. Fill the larger pan with hot water, about halfway up the sides of the ramekins or baking dish. This creates a water bath for even baking.
3. Carefully transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the custard is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center.
4. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cream caramel cool to room temperature in the water bath.
5. Once cooled, remove the ramekins or baking dish from the water bath and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Serving:

1. To serve, run a knife around the edge of each ramekin or dish to loosen the cream caramel.
2. Place a serving plate over the ramekin or dish and quickly invert it to release the cream caramel. The caramel sauce will drizzle over the custard.
3. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Cream caramel is a delightful dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of caramel sauce. It’s a classic treat that will surely impress your guests or satisfy your sweet tooth.

Note: The cooking times and temperatures may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the custard while baking to ensure it doesn’t overcook or undercook. Adjust the baking time if needed.