Cream Cheese Flan

Ingredients –
3 whole eggs + 1 yolk
1 block (8 oz) cream cheese
1 can evaporated milk
1 can condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Lemon or orange zest (optional)

Pour some water (enough to cover the bottom of the pan) onto a cookie sheet and place in the oven, this is your water bath. Preheat the oven to 350F. While the oven is preheating, place an 8 inch baking dish in the oven for a few minutes to warm while you make the caramel. Warming the dish will prevent the caramel from hardening right away when poured into the dish.

For the Caramel:
Add the sugar to a pan, stir in 2-3 tbsp of water. Turn on the heat. Cook on medium heat until the sugar melts and the mixture turns a beautiful deep golden brown. Carefully pour the hot caramel into the warm glass baking dish. Distribute the caramel evenly in the pan. Set aside.

For the custard:
In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add the 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk and whisk gently until just combined. Add the vanilla, then the condensed and evaporated milk . Whisk gently, you dont want too many air bubbles. Finally whisk in the lemon zest if using.

oPour the mixture through a strainer to get rid of any lumps. Then pour the mixture into the acramel lined dish. Place the dish in a large baking pan, and put in the oven. Pour water into the large baking pan. This water bath will ensure the flan cooks evenly and that eggs dont curdle. Cover the flan dish with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes covered. After 40 minutes, remove the tin foil and continue baking for another 30-40 minutes until the sides of the flan are set, but the center is still jiggly. Remove the large baking pan from the oven. The flan will continue cooking in the water bath as it cools. Once cool enough to handle, remove the dish from the water bath, cover, and refrigerate for atleast 4 hours.

W

To serve, remove the chilled flan from the fridge. Gently slide a sharp knife along the edges of the pan to loosen up the flan. Place a plate over the flan and flip it so the flan is upside down. Pull up the baking dish, if the flan doesnt slide out, right away place the flan dish down and let it sit for a bit. fTap the sides and bottom of the pan to help it slide out. It will slide out, dont worry! Enjoy!