The word flan originally comes from the latin word “flado” meaning custard. Originally flan was made in Rome, the recipe then traveled to Spain, and eventually to the Americas. Today it is commonly made as a dessert in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It is a simple dessert with only a few variations. Another great thing about this dessert is that you can alter to your desire! I've had coconut flan, passionfruit flan, and mango flan!

Flan de queso is a dessert similar to cheesecake. It is often made in Puerto Rico. I got the recipe from my boyfriend’s mother who is from Puerto Rico. The dessert is eaten at Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays.

Ingredients:

4 large eggs
1 cn (14 oz) condensed milk; sweetened
1 cn (12 oz.) evaporated milk
6 oz cream cheese
1 ts vanilla extract

1 cup of sugar (for caramel)

A cake pan or ramekins may be used

Preparation:

1) Mix eggs, milk, and vanilla together.

2) Soften the cream cheese and mix it together with the other ingredients.

3) In a saucepan, prepare some caramel by cooking 1 cup of sugar over a low flame until the sugar liquifies and turns a light brown color. Watch the sugar carefully and keep stirring so it doesn't burn.

4) Swirl just enough caramel into the pan/ ramekin to cover the bottom.

5) Once the sugar is hard, pour the batter you prepared in steps 1 & 2 into the pan/ ramekin.

6) Place pan/ramekin into a water bath.

7) The pan/ramekin in which the ingredients are in should be 3/4 submerged in water.

Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 – 45 minutes.

The flan is done when a knife/toothpick is inserted into it comes out clean.

Individual ramekins are an adorable and classy way to serve this dessert. Top with fresh berries to make it even more delicious!

Note: Another version of this desert involves adding a box cake mix on top of the flan mixture before baking. I suggest doubling the flan recipe and then using a sheet pan. This is delicious as well!