Flan de Naranja (Orange Flan)
Flan de Naranja (Orange Flan)! This creamy, orange-infused crème caramel is baked over a layer of sweet caramel making for a show-stopping and crowd-pleasing dessert!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups half and half
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Orange slice for garnish {optional}
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Have your 2 quart oven-proof glass dish or mold on standby since you will have to move quickly with the caramel.
- In a small, heavy saucepan, cook ½ cup of dry sugar over medium high heat until starting to bubble. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is light amber in color, careful not to burn {which can happen very quickly, so remove from heat as soon as the color gets to where you want it}.
- Quickly and carefully pour caramel into oven-safe dish and swirl to coat the entire bottom and a little of the sides. Set aside to harden.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together cream and ½ cup sugar until steaming, but not boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract.
- In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and salt, and whisk until smooth and lightened in color. Slowly add the cooled cream mixture a little at a time, and stir until completely incorporated.
- Prepare a water bath - Place your baking dish in a roasting pan or another larger pan. Fill with lukewarm water until about ⅔ of the way up the sides of the baking dish {careful not to get any water in your dish}. Using a fine mesh strainer, pour egg and cream mixture into baking dish. Discard solids.
- Bake for 1 hour or until the tip of a knife or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Will still be jiggly, but set.) Remove from oven and allow to come to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
- To unmold: Run a knife along edge of dish. Place a serving dish or platter upside down on top. Quickly invert (over a sink, preferably, so you don't cover your kitchen in syrup). Garnish with orange if desired.