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#### 3. **Bake the Flan**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Place the baking dish with the custard into a larger, deeper pan. This will create a water bath (bain-marie) to help cook the flan gently and evenly. Pour hot water into the larger pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the flan dish.
– Carefully transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the flan is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. You can check doneness by inserting a knife into the center—if it comes out clean, the flan is ready.
#### 4. **Cool and Refrigerate**
– Once baked, remove the flan from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. After cooling, refrigerate the flan for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to fully develop and the texture to set.
#### 5. **Serve the Flan**
– To serve, run a knife around the edge of the flan to loosen it from the sides of the dish. Place a large plate over the top of the baking dish, then flip it over quickly to release the flan. The caramel will flow over the custard, creating a beautiful glossy topping.
– Slice into wedges and serve chilled. Enjoy the creamy, rich flavor with the sweetness of the caramel topping.
### Tips for the Best Homemade Vanilla Flan
– **Don’t Overcook the Caramel**: When making the caramel, watch it carefully. Once it turns a golden amber color, remove it from the heat immediately. If it becomes too dark, it can develop a burnt flavor.
– **Strain the Custard**: Straining the custard ensures that the flan will be silky smooth with no unwanted egg bits or air bubbles.
– **Check for Doneness**: The flan should have a slight jiggle in the center when done. If you overbake it, the texture may become too firm or rubbery.
– **Chill for Maximum Flavor**: Allowing the flan to chill for several hours (or overnight) not only helps it set, but it also enhances the flavors, making it taste even better.
### Variations of Vanilla Flan
– **Coffee Flan**: Add 1-2 tablespoons of brewed coffee or espresso to the custard mixture for a delicious coffee-flavored twist on this classic dessert.
– **Cinnamon Flan**: Infuse the milk with a cinnamon stick by simmering it with the evaporated and condensed milk, then strain out the cinnamon before mixing it with the eggs.
– **Chocolate Flan**: Melt some chocolate and whisk it into the custard mixture for a decadent chocolate-flavored flan.
### Why You’ll Love Homemade Vanilla Flan
Flan is a dessert that never goes out of style. Its creamy custard and sweet caramel topping create the perfect balance of flavors and textures. **Homemade Vanilla Flan** is a dessert that’s both easy to make and impressive to serve, making it a perfect choice for everything from weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings.
This classic treat is bound to become a favorite in your household, whether you stick with the traditional vanilla flavor or experiment with your own variations. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can create a dessert that’s smooth, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. Enjoy!
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