Beachside coconut flan

Method7 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Have 10 small oven-safe custard cups ready. Heat all the sugar (1 cup) in a saucepan over medium-low heat, gently tilting the pan as it melts. Watch it continuously until the sugar becomes liquid caramel of your desired golden-to-amber colour, taking it off before it burns. Immediately divide the hot caramel among the bottoms of the cups and let it harden. Handle the hot caramel carefully.

   Uses 1 cup sugar for the caramel

2. 2

   Step 2: Preheat the oven to 360°F / about 180°C. Have a deep oven-safe baking dish ready to hold the custard cups in a water bath.

3. 3

   Step 3: Blend the measured condensed milk, the 1 cup of custard water, both eggs (2) and all the unsweetened dried coconut for about 1 minute, until smooth. Divide all the custard mixture over the hardened caramel in the 10 cups. Arrange the cups in the deep baking dish and carefully add hot water outside the cups to reach at least halfway up their sides, without splashing water into the custard.

   Uses 1 cup sweetened condensed milk · 1 cup water for the custard · 2 eggs · 1⅓ cups unsweetened dried shredded coconut · All 10 caramel-lined custard cups · Hot water for a bath at least halfway up the cups, as needed

4. 4

   Step 4: Put the water bath and cups in the preheated oven. Bake for about 35–40 minutes, checking from 35 minutes, until the custards are set and their tops are golden to light brown. A wooden toothpick should come out barely moist rather than wet; continue baking if needed.

   Check the coconut flans · 35 minUses All 10 filled cups in their hot baking bath

5. 5

   Step 5: Carefully lift the cups out of the hot water bath. Let them cool briefly, then cover and refrigerate promptly, within 2 hours of baking, until fully cool and set. Keep refrigerated at 4°C / 40°F or below and use within 3–4 days.

   Uses All 10 baked custard cups lifted from the bath

6. 6

   Step 6: Take only the chilled flans you plan to serve out of the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before unmoulding, to let their caramel soften. Keep any remaining flans covered and refrigerated.

   Soften the chilled caramel · 10 minUses The chilled flans you plan to serve now

7. 7

   Step 7: Run a thin knife around each selected flan, turn it onto a plate and spoon its caramel over the top. If using fruit, wash and cut it before adding. Garnish as desired with fruit slices, chocolate syrup or whipped cream and serve.

   Uses All the flans selected and rested for serving · Fresh fruit slices, chocolate syrup or whipped cream, for optional garnish · Water for washing any optional fresh fruit, as needed