Copycat Wolfgang Pucks Caramel Flan Cheesecake Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CHEESECAKE FLAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Rub the insides of four 5 1/2-ounce ramekins with oil.
• Melt 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, without stirring, in a skillet over medium heat. Swirl the skillet occasionally until sugar caramelizes to an amber color. Quickly pour caramel into each ramekin to cover the bottoms. Place ramekins in a baking dish.
• Combine cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
• Heat 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk until almost simmering. Stir in sugar and pour into the cream cheese mixture.
• Ladle mixture into the ramekins. Fill the baking dish with enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in the preheated oven until custard is just barely set, 45 to 60 minutes. When shaken, custard should jiggle as one mass. Remove ramekins from baking dish and let cool to room temperature.
• Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and spread some of the mixture over each flan. Refrigerate until fully chilled, at least 2 hours.
• Run a knife along the edge of each chilled flan and invert onto a plate. Drizzle any remaining caramel on top.

COPYCAT WOLFGANG PUCK'S CARAMEL FLAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Caramel: In a heavy meatal saucepot combine the sugar, water and lemon juice.
• Over high heat cook the sugar to a deep caramel color and pour out into a round 9-inch cake pan, turning around the perimeter so as to cover the sides and bottom of the pan.
• set aside to cool completely while you make the cake.
• Cheesecake Base: Preheat the oven to 325.
• In mixer fitted with a paddle attachent, on low speed work the cream cheese until smooth.
• Add the sugar, vanilla, and orange zest.
• Continue to mix for 2 minutes until smooth.
• Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and scrape down after each addition.
• On low speed slowly stream in the heavy cream.
• Scrape down every 30 seconds.
• Remove from bowl and pour out into prepapred cool caramel pan.
• Bake in a hot water bath for 1 hour.
• When finished the cake will be slightly firm to the touch.
• Remove from the oven and place in the refrigerator.
• Make sure to cool down for at least 4 hours before flipping over.
• The cake can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Flip over by placing a 12-inch flat plate over the top of the cake pan.
• Hold with a firm grip and flip cake upside down.
• Let the pan sit on top for a second.
• Lift pan off the cake and serve on its own or with fresh berries.

CARAMEL FLAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Caramel:
• In a heavy metal saucepot combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Over high heat cook the sugar to a deep caramel color and pour out into a round 9-inch cake pan, turning around the perimeter so as to cover the sides and bottom of the pan. Set aside to cool completely while you make the cake.
• Cheesecake Base:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, on low speed work the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Continue to mix for 2 minutes until smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and scrape down after each addition.
• On low speed slowly stream in the heavy cream. Scrape down every 30 seconds. Remove from bowl and pour out into prepared cool caramel pan.
• Bake in a hot water bath for 1 hour. When finished the cake will be slightly firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and place in the refrigerator. Make sure to cool down for at least 4 hours before flipping over. The cake can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Flip over by placing a 12-inch flat plate over the top of the cake pan. Hold with a firm grip and flip cake upside down. Let the pan sit on top for a second. Lift pan off the cake and serve on its own or with berries.

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE FLAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 celsius).
• Place one cup of the sugar in a small heavy duty saucepan and cook on medium heat until the sugar is a deep golden brown, stirring constantly to make a caramel sauce; pour into a 9 inch round pan.
• Microwave chocolate squares on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute; cool.
• Place milk and cream cheese in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, eggs and melted chocolate to the mix in the blender and blend well.
• Pour over caramel sauce in the pan.
• Bake flan in water bath. (Create water bath by setting the round pan of flan into a larger pan and adding water around the smaller pan to half way up the side of the flan pan.).
• Bake 1 hour or until a knife inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean; remove from oven.
• Place round pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
• Chill for 4 hours or overnight.
• To unmold, run a metal knife around the edge of the flan and invert onto a plate; shake slightly to loosen.
• Gently twist to remove pan.
• Caramel sauce will drizzle down the sides.
• Add chocolate garnish if desired.