Abuela's Classic Cuban Flan

Steps

1. 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and set out your eggs and Cream Cheese ahead of time to reach room temperature.
2. 2We start with making the caramel. In a flan mold, begin to melt the sugar and water. If you are using an electric top you will do this on medium to medium high heat. If you are using a gas top, do this on medium low heat. Do not use a spoon or any utensil to stir. You should use a dish towel or pot holder to just move the mixture around. Do this until the mixture begins to turn a nice light amber color. Once the sugar begins to change color, be sure to lower the heat. This will take anywhere from 7-15 minutes depending on your stove’s heat. Once you remove the mixture from the heat, it will still continue to cook, so the color will begin to darken (don’t freak out).
3. 3Tilt the caramel onto the sides to coat the pan with the caramel, and leave it to cool. While the caramel cools, we move onto the flan.
4. 4In a food processor or blender, pour in your ingredients. Be sure it is large enough to hold all of the liquid. You can also use a bowl with an immersion blender. Pour in the Evaporated Milk and the Condensed Milk first. Then add the remaining ingredients. Blend. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor at least once to be sure nothing is stuck to the sides.
5. 5Make sure the flan pan is no longer hot to the touch, and has cooled. Add the mixture to the cooled pan with the caramel. Then place your flan pan, into a larger pan for it’s “Baño Maria”. A “Baño Maria” is when you are placing your flan into a larger pan, and then filling the larger pan about ¾ of the way with warm water. It sits in the water while cooking in the oven.Pro Tip: We like to place the flan and larger pan into the oven first before filling it up with water, but you can do it however you like.
6. 6Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. 7Remove the flan from the oven, BUT leave it in the Baño Maria for 15 minutes.
8. 8Then cool outside of the water bath and then chill in the fridge for a few hours.
9. 9Turn over the flan when ready to serve. *If some of the caramel is stuck to the pan you can heat it up on the stove to loosen up the caramel and then drizzle over.