Dulce de Leche Flan

Dulce de Leche Flan is a creamy and caramel-infused custard dessert that is popular in many Latin American countries. Here's a recipe to make this delicious treat:

Ingredients:

For the Caramel:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water

For the Flan:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Start by preparing the caramel. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, without stirring, until the sugar melts and turns a golden brown color. Swirl the pan occasionally to ensure even caramelization. Be careful as the caramel will be very hot.
3. Immediately pour the caramel into a 9-inch round baking dish or individual ramekins, swirling the dish to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside and allow the caramel to cool and harden.
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a separate bowl to remove any lumps or air bubbles.
6. Gently whisk in the dulce de leche until fully incorporated into the custard mixture.
7. Carefully pour the flan mixture over the hardened caramel in the baking dish or ramekins.
8. Place the baking dish or ramekins in a larger roasting pan and create a water bath by pouring hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the baking dish or ramekins.
9. Carefully transfer the roasting pan with the flan into the preheated oven.
10. Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until the flan is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. The cooking time may vary, so keep an eye on it.
11. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the flan cool in the water bath. Once cool, transfer the flan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
12. To serve, run a knife around the edges of the baking dish or ramekins to loosen the flan. Place a serving plate on top and carefully invert the dish to release the flan. The caramel sauce will flow over the flan, creating a delicious topping.

Enjoy the creamy and luscious Dulce de Leche Flan as a delightful dessert. The combination of silky custard and rich caramel flavors is sure to impress your taste buds.