Flan Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Additional Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
8 hrs
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Servings
12 people
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Calories
341 kcal
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
South American, Mexican
Flan Recipe
Description
The Flan Recipe combines sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, eggs, and vanilla to produce a silky custard base. Before baking, a homemade caramel is poured into the bottom of a cake pan, which hardens into a glossy caramel layer. The custard is blended until smooth, poured over the caramel, and baked in a water bath at 350°F to prevent cracking and ensure a tender texture. Once cooled and chilled, it’s inverted onto a plate to reveal the caramel glaze.
The dessert is delicate and creamy with a gentle sweetness balanced by the caramel's slight bitterness. Its custard is firm but soft, providing a melt-in-the-mouth experience. When served, it can be accompanied by fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a pop of color and acidity to contrast the richness.
To prepare, carefully heat the sugar and water to caramelize without stirring, pour it quickly into the pan, and avoid overcooking the custard to prevent firmness. Resting and chilling the flan ensures it sets properly and slices cleanly. Using recommended brands and fresh vanilla enhances flavor consistency.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 14 oz condensed milk preferably la lechera brand, can
- 12 oz evaporated milk preferably Carnation brand, can
- 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract preferably Mexican Vanilla Extract
- 5 egg room temperature, large
- 1/4 tsp salt fine sea salt
- berries strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, Optional for garnish, to serve
Instructions
- Prep - Preheat the oven to 350˚F with a rack in the middle of the oven and bring a kettle of water to boil which you will need for the water bath. Take out a 9-inch by 2-inch round, non-stick cake pan so it’s ready to transfer melted sugar.
- Make the Caramel - In a medium heavy saucepan, stir together sugar and water until dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat without stirring, about 3-5 minutes. Once you see it start to turn golden then start swirling the pan frequently over the heat until it’s the color of cinnamon, about 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and continue swirling constantly for another 30 seconds as it turns amber-colored.
- Immediately pour melted sugar into your round cake pan and quickly tilt your baking dish to spread the caramel over the bottom of the pan before it sets (be careful, that bottom of the pan will turn hot!). Set the pan aside and prepare the custard.
- Make the Custard - In a blender add condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, vanilla, eggs, and salt. Blend for 1 minute on low speed (to avoid too much foam/bubbles). Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (cheesecloth is optional but helps break up foam) and pour it into the cake pan over the caramel layer.
- Cover the cake pan with a sheet of foil, making sure the foil isn’t touching the top of the custard (you don’t want to bake your foil into your flan).
- Make the Water Bath - Set the cake pan inside of a large roasting pan then set the roasting pan in your oven (it’s hard to carry the roasting pan after the water is in there). Pour hot water into the roasting pan, at least halfway up the sides of the cake pan, making sure it doesn’t reach the top of your baking pan or get inside your cake pan.
- Bake at 350 for 70-80 minutes. When it's done, jolt the pan and you should see a stiff jiggle in the center. If it seems too liquid/wobbly, bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover, transfer to a rack, and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to fully set the custard.
- To Serve - Run a knife around the edges of the pan (clean your knife periodically). Set a rimmed platter over the cake pan and holding the top and bottom with both hands, invert the cake onto the platter. If the cake doesn’t slide out easily, tap the cake pan until you feel it dislodging then lift the cake pan gently off the cake. Garnish with berries if desired and serve spooning extra caramel sauce over each slice.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 341 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 341kcal | 17% |
| Carbs | 35g | |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 127mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 156mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 270mg | 6% |
| Sugar | 35g | 70% |
| Vitamin A | 765IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 202mg | 20% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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