Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over medium-high, stirring once, until sugar mixture turns golden in color, about 5 minutes. Pour caramel evenly into 8 (6- to 8-ounce) ramekins (about 2 teaspoons each). Set aside.

Step 2

While caramel cooks, bring whole milk just to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high. Remove from heat; stir in ground coffee, and let steep 10 minutes. Pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids.

Step 3

Whisk together condensed milk, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually add warm coffee milk, whisking constantly until well blended. Ladle evenly over caramel in ramekins.

Step 4

Arrange ramekins in a roasting pan. Pour warm water to a depth of 1 inch into pan. Bake in preheated oven until custards are just set and centers jiggle slightly, about 30 minutes. Remove ramekins from pan; let cool on a wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.

Step 5

To unmold from ramekins, run a metal spatula or butter knife around flan. Invert onto each of 8 small plates.