Coconut Flans with Rum

• Recipe by Corinne Trang

Coconut appears in many desserts in Martinique. This flan is a variation on the French crème caramel and is cooked using the same classic technique—in a water bath at low temperature.

Ingredients

1. 1 cup sugar
2. 3 tablespoons water
3. 4 large eggs
4. One 13-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
5. 1 cup whole milk
6. 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
7. 1 1/2 tablespoons aged rum
8. 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
9. 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
10. Boiling water
11. Mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°. Set eight 1/2-cup ramekins in a roasting pan. In a small, heavy saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over moderately high heat; stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until an amber caramel forms, 6 to 8 minutes. Immediately pour the caramel into the ramekins, swirling them to coat.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Whisk in the coconut milk, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, rum, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour the custard into the ramekins. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan to reach two-thirds of the way up the sides of the ramekins. Bake the custards for about 50 minutes, or until set. Let cool in the water bath. Using paper towels, blot any coconut oil that has risen to the surface.
3. Run a thin knife around each flan. Invert each ramekin onto a dessert plate; let the caramel drizzle onto the plate. Garnish with mint and serve.

Make Ahead

The flans can be prepared through Step 2. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days.