Fresh Bing Cherry Flan

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 pint fresh Bing cherries, pitted and chopped
2 cups heavy cream
4 whole eggs
2 egg yolks

Place sugar and water in a very clean saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until the sugar begins to brown. Watch constantly but do not stir.

Remove from heat and divide among 4 oven safe custard cups. Set aside.

For the flan: Combine all ingredients except the cherries and whisk together well.

Divide the flan mix among the 4 cups. Equally divide the chopped cherries among the 4 cups. Place the custard cups in a large roasting pan and fill pan with hot water until it reaches the middle of the cups.

Bake at 250 degrees F for 3 hours until middle of custard is just set. It will firm up as it cools.

Remove cups from water bath and chill until completely set.

To serve: Run a knife around the outside edge of each flan. Invert onto a dessert plate, and shake gently until flan releases from the cup. Serve immediately.

Yield 4 servings