Basic Flan Recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cornstarch 

3 1/2 cups milk 

2/3 cup granulated sugar 

6 large egg yolks 

Zest of 1 lemon 

1 small cinnamon stick 

1/4 cup superfine sugar 

Preparation

Dissolve the cornstarch in 1/2 cup of the milk. Beat together granulated sugar and egg yolks until pale yellow and thick, then beat in cornstarch mixture. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine remaining 3 cups of milk, the lemon zest, and the cinnamon stick. Heat to boiling. Whisking quickly, add the egg-cornstarch mixture; lower heat and continue to stir until thickened. Strain, then pour into shallow dessert dishes or small ramekins to a depth of 5/8 inch. Let cool.

Sprinkle flans with superfine sugar. With a hot salamander, or under a broiler, heat tops until golden brown.