How to Make Chocolate Flan

flan

noun\ˈflan, ˈfläⁿn\ : 

a type of sweet dessert made of a smooth, thick custard covered with caramel

If you've ever checked out the dessert menu at a Mexican restaurant, you may have noticed 'flan' is usually listed. I always assumed flan originated in Mexico, but recently discovered that is actually comes from Spain.

 Growing up my mom would make caramel flan on special occasions, but I had never heard of a chocolate flan before I met Derek.

The first time he made it for me was over our first Thanksgiving together with my family. 

Needless to say it was a hit!

This recipe came from Derek's Abuela who was born and raised in Cuba. 

It was her husband's favorite dessert and she was famous for it among her friends.

I was never able to meet her before she passed away so I love knowing her through this recipe.

We have made this recipe several times for friends and family and everyone seems to love it!

It is somewhat labor intensive and it requires a special flan pan but it is so worth it!

Ingredients

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

5 eggs

1/2 c. sugar

1/3 c. sugar (separate)

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

8 oz. chocolate chips

Directions 

Beat together sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, salt, 1/2 c. of sugar and 5 eggs. Melt chocolate chips over low heat on the stove then mix with other ingredients. Place 1/3 c. sugar in flan pan over the stove and add 2 tbsp water. Stir consistently until sugar is caramelized. Rotate pan in a circular motion so caramelized sugar is spread evenly, reaching about an inch up the sides of the flan pan. Fill a glass baking dish with about 1 inch of water and place flan pan in the dish. Pour chocolate mixture into the flan pan then secure the lid on the pan. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  If a fork comes out clean, it is done. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy!

Watch the video below for step by step instructions: