If you’re a flan-fan, you may believe that such an elegant dessert is only served in fine-dining establishments. Not so! Take Mexico, where there is a flan or three in every refrigerator.
If your travels take you to Mexico, watch for the famous ‘flan ladies’, who set-up their wares, in near grocery stores. Early mornings, single servings of flan and other sweets catch the eyes of school kids and people at the bus stop, etc. Such a sweet way to start the day!
No matter how you say it – flan-like a pan or like a swan – this quintessential Mexican baked custard is lovely to behold and be eaten.
Flan is the ideal finale for Cinco de Mayo parties or Sunday dinners at home. Flan making is easier than you thought, with a little upfront preparation. Just follow the simple steps of our baked flan recipe for a Wow-worthy dessert anytime.
Strictly vegans and health-conscious cooks, take note: tofu is a terrific egg substitute. Either version, the original or healthy absorbs flavorful additions.
Try flan made with pureed pumpkin for Christmas or Thanksgiving. When making any special occasion flan, think liqueur. Grand Marnier, fruit liqueurs, Kahlua, etc. are spectacular enhancements.
Related Recipes :
For example, stir chopped peaches and peach liqueur into flan. To enhance its texture, add cream cheese.
Note: Texture is vital. Don’t hurry the baking step. Or, your flan will have tacky ‘pudding skin’.
For bliss in a spoon, tweak flan with instant coffee and/or Kahlua (contains Arabica coffee).
Those of you who swear by chocolate as an essential food group, add authentic Mexican chocolate. Also, chocolate is an aphrodisiac, making it an auspicious dessert for lovers. Perfect to serve your guy on Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 5 whole eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step by step instructions:
1 Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
Caramelized the Sugar
2 Add the sugar to a small non-stick sauce pan over medium heat. Shake and swirl the sugar around the pan so the sugar will be evenly distributed as they start to dissolve or turn brown and caramelized.
3 When the sugar starts to caramelize, lift the pan couple of inches above the heat and keep the pan moving in circular motion.
4 Once the sugar has liquified, pour into your flan container or dish, making sure to coat evenly the bottom of the dish or container. Set Aside.
Make the Custard
5 Now, pour the condensed milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, eggs and vanilla extract into the blender.
6 Blend on high for one minute. After that, strain the mixture using a cheesecloth. Then pour the mixture over the caramelized sugar in the baking dish or ramekins.
7 Place the baking dish / ramekins inside a larger baking pan and slide the pan into the pre-heated oven.
8 Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. This is called the water bath that will allow the flan to bake gently and evenly.
9 Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 50 - 60 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours.
Remove the flan from the water bath and let it cool completely.
10 To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan.
11 Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans and serve.
Flan Toppings
Here are several flan toppings, or let your imagination take flight and create your own signature flan. Top flan off with fruit such as chopped strawberries, blueberries, chopped mango or raspberries.
Oppositely, why mess up a good thing? Traditional flan already has a succulent caramelized topping.
Some like it warm; some like it cold. For cold flan, refrigerate overnight. Having guests? You can prepare flan in advance, cover and keep in the fridge for two days.
Watch the Video Below
Credit: theforkbite
Easy Baked Flan Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 5 whole eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
- Add the sugar to a small non-stick sauce pan over medium heat.
- Shake and swirl the sugar around the pan so the sugar will be evenly distributed as they start to dissolve or turn brown and caramelized.
- When the sugar starts to caramelize, lift the pan couple of inches above the heat and keep the pan moving in circular motion.
- Once the sugar has liquified, pour into your flan container or dish, making sure to coat evenly the bottom of the dish or container. Set Aside.
- Now, pour the condensed milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, eggs and vanilla extract into the blender.
- Blend on high for one minute. After that, strain the mixture using a cheesecloth.
- Then pour the mixture over the caramelized sugar in the baking dish or ramekins.
- Place the baking dish / ramekins inside a larger baking pan and slide the pan into the pre-heated oven.
- Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. This is called the water bath that will allow the flan to bake gently and evenly.
- Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 50 - 60 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours.
- Remove the flan from the water bath and let it cool completely.
- To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan.
- Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans and serve.
Watch the Video:
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Elizabeth O says
This baked flan looks so delicious and tasty. Flan is one of my favorite dessert. And thia baked flan recipe is a must try. Will definitely try this flan.
London Mumma says
Ok, so it is currently 11am not too early for a delicious sweet tasty treat right? x
Sondra Barker says
Love the idea of putting pureed pumpkin into the flan for the fall holidays! I'm a huge fan of pumpkin anything, so I'll definitely try that. These pictures also looked so delicious!
Made Adayasa says
Look like cream brulé . I would love to try . The pictures make me want to try it .
Would love to pass this recipe to my wife
Kimberly C. says
My sweet tooth is itching just looking at these pics. I am definitely going to try to make this. I love anything sweet and this seems yummie.
Reliance jio says
This dish looks good I would like to try to make it and it is nutrition rich as well. 🙂
Kallia says
My mom has a homemade flan recipe that I haven't treid because I thought it was hard. Yours looks easy, so I will try to see if I can make it! Thank you for sharing!
yukti says
These baked flan is a perfect evening dessert for parties. I would try to make as per your recipe . I love the color of caramel and they turned out to be so perfect. Looks delicious.
Chandres says
Looks like I just got one task to try out on sunday !!
Ana De- Jesus says
They make delicious flans in Madeira where my parents are from but I love the sound of trying to make your baked flan recipe.. I doubt mine would look as good as yours but I will certainly try! x
Familyearthtrek says
Mmmm I like the sound of putting liquer in! Must be so good! I have tried to do a flan once and it came our quite good for someone who hates to bake. The decoration part is no problem though and especially not the eating part!
raju says
Nice articles thanks for sharing us.
cookilicious says
Pinning this! You make it sound so simple 🙂 It looks delicious.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
Such a simple but lovely looking dessert. I love a good flan with a caramel sauce
Calleigh says
hi Meg,
Sometimes, there's a big difference when you cook your food at home.
Meg | Meg is Well says
All the flan I've tried so far has made me gag but I know that's just because I've had cafeteria food flan. The texture in the video and pictures looks so amazing and reminds me of cheesecake so what's not to love? I think based on your descriptions, all the ones I've tried have been rushed and have tacky pudding skin.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
I can't wait to make flan! I need 3 in my fridge!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I grew up on flan -- my mother would make them regularly when I was a kid - so it's always been a favorite for me. This brings me back to those days...
Pam Greer says
It's been way to long since I've made a flan!
Calleigh says
@Beth,
You can use tofu for a terrific egg substitute. Or you can try a flan made with pureed pumpkin for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Beth says
This flan looks so delicious! I love all of the variations you mention. Especially the peach version. What do you substitute for a vegan version for all of the milk and cream. I'm lactose intolerant but would love some suggestions, if you have any!
Jagruti says
Gorgeous pics of this flan recipe, thanks a lot for sharing
linda spiker says
Mexican food is our favorite! And flan is so delicious but I never make my own. You make it sound easy enough to attempt!
Amy | The Cook Report says
This is such a pretty dessert! Lovely 🙂
Julia says
I love the sauce that comes with the flan! It's so caramel-ly and delicious! Your video makes it look so easy to make these flans. I must try making them one of those days