HOW TO MAKE CARAMEL FOR FLAN RECIPES

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, cook sugar and water over medium-low heat until melted and golden, about 15 minutes. Brush down crystals on the side of the pan with additional water as necessary. Quickly pour into an ungreased 2-qt. round baking or souffle dish, tilting to coat the bottom; let stand for 10 minutes. , Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until thoroughly combined. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour over caramelized sugar. , Place the dish in a larger baking pan. Pour boiling water into larger pan to a depth of 1 in. Bake until the center is just set (mixture will jiggle), 50-60 minutes. , Remove dish from a larger pan to a wire rack; cool for 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight. , To unmold, run a knife around edges and invert onto a large rimmed serving platter. Cut into wedges or spoon onto dessert plates; spoon sauce over each serving.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven 150C/300F/Gas 2. Warm the ramekins in the oven, so they are warm when the caramel is poured in.
• First make the caramel. Pour the sugar and six tablespoons of water into a clean stainless steel pan.
• Dissolve the sugar slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon over a low heat.
• When there are no sugar granules left, stop stirring and boil until the sugar turns a dark copper colour.
• Remove immediately from the heat to ensure the caramel does not burn. Quickly pour the caramel into the warmed ramekins.
• Set aside to cool and become hard. (Do not put in the fridge because the sugar will absorb moisture and go soft and tacky).
• Once hard, butter the sides of the ramekins above the level of the caramel.
• For the custard, whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and caster sugar together in a bowl until well mixed.
• Pour the milk into a saucepan, gently heat over a low heat until you can still just dip your finger in for a moment, then strain the milk through a fine sieve onto the egg mixture in the bowl.
• Whisk together until smooth, then pour the mixture into the prepared ramekins.
• Stand the ramekins in a roasting tin and fill the tin half-way with boiling water from a kettle.
• Cook in the oven for about 20-30 minutes or until the custard has set. Do not overcook the custard – check around the edges of the dishes, to make sure no bubbles are appearing.
• Take the crème caramels out of the oven, remove the ramekins from the tray and set on a cooling rack. When cool, transfer to the fridge overnight so that the caramel is absorbed into the custard.
• To serve, loosen the sides of the custard by tipping the ramekin and loosen with a small palette knife round the edges. Place a serving dish on top of the ramekin and turn upside down. Serve with pouring cream.