Banh Kem Dua (Vietnamese Coconut Flan)

Flan is a super-simple dessert that's very easy to make. There's only three ingredients, four if you want the coconut milk variation. And it's a good way to use up milk or eggs, whichever is closest to expiring.

This recipe makes about 10 ramekins but can be easily halved.

Banh Kem Dua (Vietnamese Coconut Flan)

1 13.5-oz can coconut milk
2 cups whole milk
(Or 3 cups whole milk total if you want to omit the coconut milk.)
8 eggs
1/4-1/2 cup sugar for flan, 1/2 cup sugar for caramel

You should set out your ramekins first.

The hardest part is getting the sugar to carmelize. In a saucepan, add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Start the heat on medium-low so that sugar is evenly dissolved. Then turn the heat up to medium-high. Watch this closely because you don't want the mixture to burn. The sugar should start boiling and thickening. Once it becomes a frothy mixture like the picture, immediately take the pan off the stove and pour into the ramekins. If this step is too confusing for you, follow my directions for How to Make Nuoc Mau (Vietnamese Caramel Sauce).

I really do mean immediate. The caramel is basically burnt sugar and will start hardening the minute it's off the stove. Pour into the bottoms of the ramekins.

Set the ramekins into another pan that has been lined with paper towels. The paper towels serve to stabilize the ramekins. Pour water into the outer pan and fill halfway. The water will serve to "steam" the flan in the oven.

In another pot on low heat, melt 1/4-1/2 cup sugar into the milk/coconut milk until sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust sugar if necessary. This serves merely to melt the sugar evenly so the mixture should be lukewarm. Beat 8 eggs into the milk/sugar mixture.

Then, using a strainer, pour the mixture into the ramekins. This will remove any bigger eggy chunks and leave a smooth consistency.

That's it.

Put the pan of ramekins into the oven for about half an hour at 325 degrees. The flan will be done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. You can also shake the ramekin to see if the custard has set. If it still seems too liquid, then it's not ready and you need to bake it longer.

Allow the flan to cool down, then refrigerate before serving.

If you don't want to cook flan in the oven, you can also steam it. No paper towels or second pan necessary if you're steaming your flan. Just put it on the steamer tray. Test for doneness after half an hour. Refrigerate.

To serve, slide a knife around the outside edges of the flan to loosen it from the ramekin. Put a plate over the top. Flip. The caramel now becomes the top. My mom used to serve this with crushed ice on top and around the flan.