Tocinillo de Cielo: Spanish Egg Yolk Flan

I have some cookbooks at home that I can't remember where they came from. Among them is 'El arte de la cocina española' by Alicia Ríos and Lourdes March, in the edition sponsored by BBVA. The design is a bit off-putting and the photos could be better, but there are many traditional recipes that are surely worth it (worth putting up with the book's design and photos).

Among them, I want to bring here, to always have it at hand, the recipe for 'Tocinillos de Cielo' (literally 'little bacon from heaven'), which I've seen can be called 'Flamets' in Catalan.

Besides the recipe, the book also tells a little of its history. It seems this sweet treat comes from the Jerez area, where large quantities of beaten egg whites were used to clarify the region's wines. With the leftover yolks, the nuns invented this fantastic dessert. Without further ado, the recipe.

Serves: 6–8  ·  Prep time: 20 min  ·  Cook time: 30 min (+ cooling)  ·  Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

• 12 egg yolks

• 1 whole egg

• 500 g sugar

• 400 ml water

Method

Put the sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat and let it boil for 10 minutes. Then let it cool. You'll get a syrup that is liquid but has some body.

Make a liquid caramel and pour it into the bottom of the moulds, either a single mould to portion later or several individual ones.

Beat the 12 egg yolks with the whole egg, pass them through a fine sieve and pour them over the cold syrup, stirring well.

Preheat the oven to 150ºC.

Pour the mixture into the mould(s), cover with aluminium foil and cook in a water bath in a gentle oven (150ºC) for about 30 minutes.

After that time, check whether it's cooked by pricking it with a thick needle, which should come out clean. All that's left is to let it cool, unmould and serve.

Tips and frequently asked questions

Why only yolks?
It is the essence of tocinillo: yolks and syrup give that dense, very smooth and intensely sweet texture. The whole egg just helps it hold together.

How thick should the syrup be?
Liquid but with some body, after about 10 minutes of boiling. It must be cold when you mix it with the yolks, or they will start to set.

How do I know it is cooked?
Prick it with a thick needle or skewer: if it comes out clean, it is done. Do not overcook it or it will turn spongy.

How do I serve it?
Cold, in small portions: it is very sweet. A few red berries or a spoonful of plain yogurt balance it nicely.

🌐 Llegeix aquesta recepta en català