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Coconut Flan

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Coconut FlanDitte Isager

Quesillo de Coco

You could buy a ticket to the Tropics—or you could simply make this flan. Heady with rum and sweet flaked coconut, this incredibly easy, super-delicate dessert will transport you straight to a table in the sand, under the swaying palms. If only every recipe could be this straightforward and rewarding.

Cooks' note:

Flan can be made 2 days ahead. Chill in ramekins, uncovered, until cool, then covered. Let stand at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

For caramel

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

For flan

3 1/2 cups whole milk, divided
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 large eggs
1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3 tablespoons dark rum
Equipment: 12 (4-ounce) ramekins

Preparation

  1. Make caramel:

    Step 1

    Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then wash down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Boil, without stirring, swirling pan occasionally so caramel colors evenly, until dark amber.

    Step 2

    Immediately pour into ramekins and swirl so caramel coats bottom of each, then put ramekins in a large roasting pan.

  2. Make flan:

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

    Step 4

    Blend 2 cups milk with remaining flan ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups milk, then divide among ramekins.

    Step 5

    Bake flan in a water bath until just set but still wobbly in center, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

    Step 6

    Remove ramekins from water bath and cool slightly on a rack, at least 15 minutes (flan will continue to set as it cools).

    Step 7

    Just before serving, run a thin knife around each flan, then invert onto plates.

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