Only-Apples Flan with Crème Anglaise Recipe

Peel and core apples. Slice thinly into rings and toss with sugar, butter, cinnamon and lemon peel until well combined. Toss with cranberries. Preheat oven to 250F (120C). Arrange fruit mixture evenly in an 8-inch (2 L) springform pan.

Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 3 hours or until apples are very tender. Cool to room temperature. Spoon some crème anglaise on each of 8 serving plates. Place a wedge of apple flan on top and serve.

Makes 8 servings.

Crème Anglaise: Beat egg yolks with sugar and salt on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until thick and light. Stir in milk. Transfer to a saucepan. Place pan over medium heat and cook, stirring gently, until custard is thick enough that a line forms when you draw your fingertip across the back of the spoon. Strain custard and stir in brandy and vanilla. Cool to room temperature and store, tightly covered, in refrigerator.

Makes 2-1/2 cups (625 mL).

Tip: If you don’t have time to make the crème anglaise, melt some premium vanilla ice cream and drizzle that on the dessert plates instead. The taste will be quite similar, since the base for ice cream is much like this sauce.