Caramelized Apple Flan

Directions

1. 1
   Place the sugar in a saucepan, and moisten it with the water without stirring.
2. 2
   Bring to a boil and cook until light golden brown.
3. 3
   Immediately pour the caramel into an 8 to 9 cup mold (a cake pan will do) and swirl and tilt the mold to coat it with the caramel, including the walls.
4. 4
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
5. 5
   In a large skillet, melt the butter and let it foam.
6. 6
   Add the apples and cook on medium low heat, covered, for 15 minutes.
7. 7
   Add the brandy and flame it, then continue to cook, shaking the pan, for 2 minutes or so.
8. 8
   In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and cinnamon.
9. 9
   Stir in the half-and-half and the apples.
10. 10
    Pour this custard into the caramel-lined mold and bake in a water bath for 50 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
11. 11
    Remove the flan from the oven and let cool to room temperature.
12. 12
    Run a knife around the edge of the mold then turn the flan out onto a serving platter.
13. 13
    Pour any caramel sauce from the mold over the flan.