Berry Flan with White Chocolate Sauce

Category: Desserts
Servings: 8

This delightful Berry Flan with Chocolate Sauce combines the rich flavor of fresh berries with the velvety smoothness of white chocolate, all wrapped in a buttery, flaky pastry shell. Perfect for a special occasion or simply to enjoy as a treat with your loved ones, this dessert will bring a burst of color and sweetness to any table. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

For the Pastry (Pasta Brisée)

For the Flan Filling

For the Chocolate Sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry

1. Begin by making the pastry. In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, cold butter cut into pieces, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Transfer the mixture to a clean surface and form it into a well. Gradually add the cold water, little by little, mixing with your hands until the dough comes together.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 2: Make the Flan Filling

1. In a saucepan, combine the whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, and the vanilla bean (split and scraped to extract the seeds). Heat gently over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
2. In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour. Crack the eggs into the flour and whisk them together until smooth and well combined.
3. Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg-flour mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling. Stir until you have a smooth, slightly runny batter.

Step 3: Assemble the Flan

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 2mm thickness. Carefully roll the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer it to a 28cm (11-inch) flan or tart pan that has been buttered and floured.
2. Press the dough gently into the pan and trim any excess with a serrated pastry cutter. Pour the prepared filling into the crust.
3. Evenly distribute the fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries) on top of the flan filling.

Step 4: Bake the Flan

1. Bake the flan in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool.

Step 5: Make the Chocolate Sauce

1. While the flan is baking, prepare the chocolate sauce. In a small saucepan, heat the sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream over low heat.
2. Once the mixture is warm, add the white chocolate and stir until it melts completely, creating a smooth and thick sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 6: Serve the Flan

1. Once the flan has cooled, transfer it to a serving plate. Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the top just before serving.
2. Garnish with extra fresh berries for a touch of color and freshness.

Tips & Variations

• Berry Selection: Feel free to mix and match different berries according to your preference or availability, such as strawberries or black currants.
• For a Crunchier Pastry: If you prefer a crisper base, blind-bake the pastry (bake it without the filling) for 10 minutes before adding the flan mixture and berries.
• Chocolate Variations: Swap white chocolate for dark chocolate if you prefer a more intense flavor. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

This Berry Flan with Chocolate Sauce is a sweet symphony of textures and flavors, where the crisp pastry meets the creamy custard and fresh berries, all harmonized with the luscious chocolate sauce. It’s a decadent dessert that will leave your guests asking for seconds!