Skip to main content

Creme Caramel

Crème Caramel is one of those timeless desserts that never goes out of style. Elegant yet comforting, it has been enjoyed for generations and remains a favorite across the globe. Depending on where you are, you might hear it called custard pudding, caramel custard, or even leche flan—but no matter the name, its silky texture and rich caramel topping make it unforgettable.

Crème caramel’, when translated from French, literally means ‘caramel cream’. While crème caramel is thought by many to be a French dessert, the country of its origin is disputable, as Spain and England also suggest that the dessert originated in their own country.

As for when it made its first appearance in India, nobody’s quite sure. The prevailing theory is that it gained prominence in India during the British Raj and then grew to be a staple of several communities. In Anglo-Indian, Mangalorean, Goan, Kerala and Parsi homes across the country, it’s still considered a staple dessert dish to be rolled out at the end of the meal for guests.

What’s not to love about this beauty- a smooth and creamy consistency custard with vanilla flavour and smooth syrupy caramel. It is elegant and absolutely delicious.

Best part is that Creme Caramel can be made in advance which makes it perfect for gatherings or parties. 

So, here’s the recipe:


Ingredients:

For the topping:
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp water
For the custard:
• 4 eggs
• 500 ml milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1sp vanilla essence

Method:
• Heat the oven to 160°C.
• Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan until the liquid turns golden brown. Immediately, pour the caramel into a 7-inch cake pan coating the sides too.
• Pour the milk and sugar into the saucepan and heat it, but do not bring to boil. Add the vanilla into the milk. Then set aside for few minutes to cool slightly.
• In a separate bowl beat the eggs. Pour the milk over the egg mixture.
• Now pour the custard through a sieve carefully over the prepared pan and place the pan in a larger pan. Pour hot water into the bottom pan to come half-way up the sides. Bake until golden for about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Cool completely. Then cover and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours. To serve turn out onto a plate.

Note:
1. High temperatures and direct heat can easily make the flan with a load of bubbles in it, or tiny holes all over and the texture wasn't smooth.
2. To steam - Simply arrange the baking pan in a steamer and steam on low heat for about 35 minutes or until the flan is set in the centre. 
3. By sieving the mixture, you will remove a lot of the bubbles and also no lumps from beaten eggs. This is the important part which will give you to achieving the smoothest flan.
4. Instead of a single pan, you can also set in smaller ramekins and bake or steam.

Ready to make a dessert that’s simple yet show-stopping? Whip up this recipe today and see why it’s a favourite in our home—you’ll want to make it again and again!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crunchy Veggie salad with a thousand island dressing

A salad is one such dish which consists of small pieces of food mixed with a sauce. It may contain virtually any type of ready to eat food. What I like about salads is that we can be so creative with the ingredients which is based around a wide variety of foods like vegetables, fruits, cooked meat, eggs, nuts and leafy greens. Garden salads use a base of leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, kale or spinach; they are common enough that the word salad alone often refers specifically to garden salads.  Other types include Mexican bean salad, tuna salad, Lebanese fattoush, Greek salad, Thai Raw Papaya Salad and Japanese somen salad (a noodle-based salad). The sauce used to flavor a salad is commonly called a salad dressing; well-known types include Ranch, Thousand Island, Caesar and French vinaigrette. Salads can be served at any point during a meal such as an appetiser or side dish or as a main course.  Food historians tell us salads (generally defined as mixed green...
Post a Comment
Read more

Christmas Fruit Cake—Because It’s Not Christmas Without It!

♪ It's the most wonderful time of the year ♪  When December arrives, that’s the melody that plays in my head. Christmas is perhaps the most widely celebrated holiday across the world, shaped by centuries of both religious devotion and secular customs. At its heart, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25th in most nations. Yet the festivities begin weeks earlier, filling homes and streets with vibrant lights, stars, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Many families also create a small manger scene to honor the nativity. The season is alive with carols sung in joy, kitchens bustling with homemade treats, and hearts open to generosity. Known as the “season of giving,” Christmas inspires people to exchange gifts with loved ones and extend kindness to those in need. On Christmas Day itself, traditions often include wearing new clothes, attending church services, lighting fireworks, and gathering for a grand feast with family. It is a tim...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jaipur - Lost in the Pink City, Leaving Footprints Where Royalty Once Tread

We recently took a short vacation to Jaipur, and I still find myself mesmerized by its beauty. Often hailed as one of Rajasthan’s most enchanting destinations, Jaipur captivates with its charm and magnificence. Famously known as the Pink City , it owes its name to the striking pink sandstone buildings that line its streets, creating an atmosphere that feels both regal and welcoming. Jaipur is a city that overwhelms and enchants in equal measure. Its bustling streets pulse with energy—markets brimming with vibrant textiles and jewellery, majestic palaces and forts rising in grandeur, and a kaleidoscope of colourful people weaving through the chaos alongside cows, pigeons, and rickshaws. Every corner offers a sensory feast, with aromas of rich delicacies tempting your taste buds and leaving you utterly captivated. Jaipur means city of victory. The city is named after the king Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who left the city of Amber and founded a new capital in the 18th century. When t...
Post a Comment
Read more