A baked custard coated in caramel is a popular Mexican dessert.
| 1/3 |
|
cup sugar |
| 2 |
|
cups LAND O LAKES™ Half & Half |
| 1 |
|
(3-inch) stick cinnamon, broken |
| 1/3 |
|
cup sugar |
| 4 |
|
eggs, slightly beaten |
| 1 |
|
teaspoon vanilla |
| 1/8 |
|
teaspoon salt |
| 6 |
|
cups boiling water |
| 2 |
|
(1-ounce) squares bittersweet baking chocolate, chopped |
| 1 |
|
teaspoon shortening |
Heat oven to 325°F. Place 1/3 cup sugar in 8-inch heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally (do not stir), until sugar begins to melt (2 to 3 minutes). Continue cooking over medium heat until sugar is slightly amber and dissolved, shaking skillet frequently (1 to 2 minutes). Pour into 4 (10-ounce) custard cups, tilting cups to spread over bottom. Set aside.
Combine half & half and cinnamon in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble (4 to 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 10 minutes.
Combine 1/3 cup sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt in medium bowl. Pour half & half mixture through strainer into egg mixture. Discard cinnamon stick. Whisk egg mixture until just combined, but not frothy. Evenly pour over melted sugar in prepared custard cups. Place cups into 13x9-inch baking pan. Pour boiling water into baking pan around custard cups to depth of 1 1/2-inches.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. (Center will still be slightly soft.) Remove from oven.
Remove custard cups from hot water. Cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Cover; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Meanwhile, combine chocolate and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH until melted (30 seconds to 1 minute), stirring once or twice. Cool slightly. Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Spoon chocolate into small plastic sandwich bag. Squeeze chocolate towards one corner. Cut off 1/8-inch from corner. Squeeze chocolate into star shapes on waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm.
At serving time, loosen edges of flans from sides of custard cups using narrow spatula; invert onto individual serving plates.
Beat whipping cream and 1 tablespoon sugar at high speed in small bowl until stiff peaks form. Dollop flans with whipped cream. Garnish each with chocolate star.
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