Orange and Saffron Flan

While many desserts are famous for their challenging techniques or multiple components, flan eschews all complication. It's a showstopper in its own right—so simple, straightforward, and delicious that it needs no fluff or decoration.

Flan is an excellent canvas for different flavors, too. After living in New York for 10 years, I recently returned to my home state of Florida, where oranges are abundant—and my love for the fruit has never been stronger. There's so much nuance between different varieties, and, like all citrus, they provide a burst of brightness and fragrance to whatever they're used in—like this orange and saffron flan. It's a dessert that blends two heady ingredients into a flawlessly silky custard that's as transporting in flavor and aroma as it is in texture.

I compared three types of citrus when developing this flan: tangerines, navel oranges, and Cara Cara oranges. The tangerines were notably sweeter than the other two, tasting more like orange candy than pure orange, which eliminated them quickly, as I knew the flan would be sweet enough on its own. I wanted an acidic punch and found it more pronounced in the navel orange than the Cara Cara. The navel orange was pleasantly tart, delivered that classic bright orange flavor, and had subtle vanilla undertones that would work well here. Conveniently, navel oranges are widely accessible and among the most affordable. 

I love the combination of saffron and orange, and while oranges are ubiquitous and inexpensive, saffron is decidedly not. The good news is that this flan will work with any variety of saffron. I always recommend springing for the best saffron you can afford, but you should still try the recipe with whatever saffron you have, as long as it's not pre-ground. Ground saffron is often cut with turmeric and/or paprika, diluting its beautiful floral notes. Grinding it yourself with a mortar and pestle ensures the saffron is fully incorporated into the flan without leaving whole threads behind. Just a tablespoon of hot water is enough to bloom the spice and bring out its gorgeous flavor. 

The Key to the Caramel: Go Dark

How dark you'd like your caramel is ultimately a personal preference. I like to cook my caramel until it's dark and pleasantly bitter. For a lighter, sweeter caramel, pull the saucepan off the heat a minute or two earlier, if you must. Warming the cake pan in the oven for just a few minutes beforehand helps the caramel spread evenly across the bottom. 

Cooking the Flan

I tested two versions of this flan: one covered at 325ºF (160°C), and one uncovered at 350ºF (175°C). Covering the flan not only speeds up cooking by trapping heat, but also prevents it from forming a skin by protecting it from the dry heat of the oven. I ultimately went with the lower, gentler temperature, as it minimizes the risk of bubbles forming and the flan from curdling. The water bath is also essential: It maintains a consistent temperature around the flan and prevents it from overcooking. 

Flan is deceptively simple; the most challenging part may be letting the dessert cool completely. As tempting as it is to flip and slice the dessert immediately, it's crucial to chill the flan, as it allows the custard to set and makes it easier to slice and serve. You'll need to budget at least four hours in the fridge, but your patience will be rewarded with a silky-smooth flan bright with the flavor of oranges and saffron.