Autumn Harvest Fruit Flan
This delightful Autumn Harvest Fruit Flan is a versatile dessert perfect for showcasing the seasonal bounty of fall. It beautifully blends a rich, buttery cake with your choice of luscious fresh or canned fruit—think sweet plums, juicy apples, fragrant peaches, or decadent pears. This recipe draws inspiration from Anne Lindsay's Light Kitchen cookbook, offering a lighter alternative without compromising flavor. Ideal for gatherings or cozy family dinners, this flan is sure to impress your guests with its scrumptious taste and eye-catching presentation. Each slice offers a warm hug of comfort, making it the perfect ending to any meal.
10
Servings
200
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
white sugar
3/4 cup (Measured)
soft butter or margarine
1/4 cup (Softened)
eggs
2 (Large, beaten)
all-purpose flour
1 cup (Measured)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (Measured)
grated orange rind or fresh lemon rind
1 teaspoon (Grated)
low-fat milk
1/4 cup (Measured)
other fresh fruit or canned fruit
2 cups (Prepared (fresh: sliced; canned: drained))
brown sugar
1/2 cup (Packed)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 10-inch springform pan or a 9-inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the white sugar and butter (or margarine) until smooth and fluffy.
3
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and the grated citrus rind (orange or lemon).
5
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the low-fat milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
6
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
7
Arrange the fruit of your choice (cut side down if using fresh fruit) in a circular pattern on top of the batter, gently pressing them in.
8
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture over the arranged fruit.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
10
Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing from the springform pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
30g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Autumn Harvest Fruit Flan?
Autumn Harvest Fruit Flan is a versatile dessert that blends a buttery cake with seasonal fall fruits like plums, apples, peaches, or pears.
Which fruits work best in this flan?
You can use fresh fruits like sweet plums, juicy apples, fragrant peaches, and decadent pears, or use drained canned fruit.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
Can I use canned fruit instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use 2 cups of canned fruit as long as it is properly drained before being added to the batter.
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a 10-inch springform pan or a 9-inch square baking dish.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Can I substitute butter with margarine?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 1/4 cup of soft butter or margarine.
What type of milk is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/4 cup of low-fat milk.
How long does the flan take to bake?
The flan should bake for 45-55 minutes.
How do I know when the flan is done?
The flan is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
What are the nutritional facts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories, 7g of fat, 30g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Anne Lindsay's Light Kitchen cookbook, offering a lighter alternative for dessert.
How should I arrange the fruit on the batter?
Arrange the fruit in a circular pattern on top of the batter and gently press them in; if using fresh fruit, place them cut side down.
What topping is used for the fruit?
A mixture of 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is sprinkled over the fruit before baking.
Should the citrus rind be lemon or orange?
You can use either 1 teaspoon of grated orange rind or fresh lemon rind depending on your preference.
Is it necessary to grease the pan?
Yes, you should grease the pan with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in the batter.
What is the first step in preparing the batter?
The first step is to cream together the white sugar and softened butter (or margarine) until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
How should the eggs be added?
Beat in the 2 eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next.
Should I serve the flan warm or cold?
The flan can be served either warm or at room temperature.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients required for this recipe.
What type of flour should I use?
Use 1 cup of all-purpose flour for this recipe.
Can I use frozen fruit?
While the recipe specifies fresh or canned, frozen fruit can often be used if thawed and thoroughly drained.
How do I prepare the citrus rind?
The citrus rind should be finely grated to equal 1 teaspoon.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
Overmixing can lead to a tougher cake texture; you should mix until just combined.
Is this recipe suitable for autumn gatherings?
Yes, it is specifically designed to showcase the seasonal bounty of fall and is ideal for gatherings or cozy dinners.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, flan, fruit cake, seasonal recipe, fall desserts, and specific fruit types like plum and apple.
How much baking powder is needed?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
Does this recipe contain fiber information?
Nutritional data for fiber is not specified in this recipe.
What is the amount of white sugar in the batter?
The batter uses 3/4 cup of white sugar.
Can I make this in a springform pan?
Yes, a 10-inch springform pan is recommended for easy removal and presentation.