How To Make Flan Cake

There's no need to wait for a night out at your favorite gourmet eatery-you can easily learn how to make a flan cake right in your own kitchen. Although today's flan cake is closely tied to Mexican cuisine, its origins, according to foodtimeline.org, can be traced as far back as Ancient Rome, when the abundance of domesticated fowl propelled the Romans to create new and unique dishes using the available bounty of fresh eggs. Thus, the flan cake was born. Follow this simple recipe to make a flan cake for your family and friends. And when they rave about its sweet and creamy deliciousness, don't forget to give a nod to the chickens of Ancient Rome.

What you'll need to make a flan cake:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 8 whole eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 12-oz. cans evaporated milk
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. pure almond extract

1. Prepare your oven. Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the baking rack in the center of your oven, which will allow your flan cake to bake evenly.
   
2. Make the caramel. Combine brown sugar and butter in a medium saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly as the sugar and butter melt into a liquid sauce. Pour the melted caramel sauce into the bottom of a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Set aside.
3. Beat the eggs. Break all of the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed for 30 seconds.
   
4. Incorporate the sugar and liquid ingredients. Add the sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla and almond extracts. Beat on high speed with your electric mixer for 30 to 45 seconds or until smooth and well-combined.
5. Pour the flan cake mixture over the cooled caramel sauce. Pour slowly and carefully so that the caramel sauce is not greatly disturbed, but don't worry if it mingles a bit.
6. Prepare a water bath for your flan cake. Fill the bottom of a shallow roasting pan with cool water. Place the baking dish that contains your flan cake into the roasting pan with the cool water. The water should surround the baking dish on all sides, covering approximately three-fourths of its sides. This will allow for more even baking and prevent your flan cake from scorching on the bottom.
7. Bake the flan cake. Place the flan in your oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the flan comes out clean.
8. Remove the flan cake from the oven and sprinkle liberally with brown sugar. Be sure to sprinkle the sugar while the flan is still hot so that it will melt a bit. Set the flan cake aside and allow it to cool to room temperature.
   
9. Unmold the flan cake. Place a large platter over the top of the baking dish containing your flan cake. The platter must be large enough to hold the flan cake and the caramel that will ooze over its sides. Carefully but quickly, turn the baking dish and platter over so that the flan cake lands squarely on the platter.

So now that you know how to make a flan cake, you'll be able to enjoy this indulgent dessert any time you crave it. To make it extra special, serve it fresh with hot coffee and fresh raspberries. Cover any uneaten portions (if there are any!) and refrigerate.

Sources:

The Food Timeline