Learn How to Make Spanish Flan With a Simple Recipe (2024)

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Lisa & Tony Sierra

Lisa and Tony Sierra are freelance writers and Spanish food experts who lead culinary tours of the country.

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Updated on 05/10/21

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Flan is the Spanish name for vanilla egg custard topped with caramel sauce. It is a classic in Spanish cuisine and one of the most popular desserts. You can find it served everywhere in Spain and it's not as difficult to make at home as you may think.

Flan makes a great finish to any meal because, even though it is sweet, it's also a light dessert. You can also make a lower calorie flan by substituting the whipping cream with 1 cup non-fat milk and 1 cup light whipping cream.

Flan can be an intimidating dish, but it doesn't have to be. When you breakthe classic flan recipe down into simple steps, you'll find that it's rather simple.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided

  • 2 cups whipping cream

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cupblanched almonds

  • 1 sprig mint, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

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  2. Wipe out the ramekins to ensure that there is no dust in them. Set them in a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish, which will be used for aboiling water bath while baking.

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  3. Heat 4 to 5 cups of water in a pot on thestove.

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  4. Heat a heavy skillet or saucepan over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup sugar.

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  5. With the back of a wooden spoon, keep the sugar moving constantly in the skillet until the sugar is completely meltedand caramelized to a rich medium-brown color.

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  6. Carefully spoon caramelized sugar into each of the 6 ramekins or a large baking dish.

  7. Preheat oven to 325 F (162 C).

  8. In a saucepan, scaldthe cream. Keep a close eye on the pan, so the cream does not boil over. Remove immediately.

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  9. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, slightly beat 3 eggs.

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  10. Mix in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar.

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  11. Stirring constantly, gradually add the hot cream to the egg mixture.

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  12. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and then blend in the vanilla extract.

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  13. Ladle the mixture into ramekins.

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  14. Carefully remove 1 or 2 ramekins to provide some extra room in the larger dish. Pour hot water until there is about 1/2-inch of water in the 9- by 13-inch baking dish for the water bath.

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  15. Replace ramekins.If the water level does not reach 3/4 of the way up the sides of the ramekins, carefully add more water.

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  16. Bake uncovered in thewater bath for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean when inserted halfway between the center and the edge of the dish.To ensure the custard does not over-cook, check for doneness after 45 minutes, then every 3 to 5 minutes.

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  17. Carefully remove each ramekin from the water bath. Set on a cooling rack until lukewarm, then chill thoroughly in therefrigerator. This usually takes at least 1 hour.

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  18. When ready to serve, un-moldthe flan by running a knife around the inside edge of each baking dish.

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  19. Place a small dessert plate on the top of the ramekin.

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  20. With one hand under the ramekin and the other on top of the plate, turn it over in one smooth motion.

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  21. Tap the ramekin and the flan should drop onto the plate. If it does not, carefully “prod” the flan out of the ramekin with a small paring knife. It should slide out and onto the plate.

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  22. Garnish with whole blanched almonds anda sprig of mint if desired.

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  23. Serve and enjoy!

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Ramekins Are Not Required

While it's traditional to bake flan in ramekins for individual servings, don't worry if you don't have them. A single baking dish that can fit into a 9- by 13-inch dish will work just fine. You do need to ensure that the dish holding your flan is tall enough to accommodate the 1/2-inch of water required for the water bath.

Flan on the Go

Because it is made inramekinsor a baking dish and not removed until it's time to eat, flan travels well in an ice chest. This makes it an excellent choice if you need to take it to a dinner party or family gathering. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap while en route and un-mold when ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
476Calories
37g Fat
31g Carbs
8g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories476
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g47%
Saturated Fat 20g98%
Cholesterol 183mg61%
Sodium 115mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 31g11%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 28g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 98mg8%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 193mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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Learn How to Make Spanish Flan With a Simple Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is flan difficult to make? ›

It's always the simple things in life that are the most difficult to master. With flan the key to a smooth texture is the cooking temperature. Cooked for too long or cooked at too high of a temperature and the custard will have a slightly pock-y curdled texture.

Should flan be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Covering and Baking the Flan

Covering the custard not only prevents it from forming a skin, but also helps it cook faster. When testing flans baked covered versus uncovered, the covered flans baked in one-third less the time.

How do you explain flan? ›

Flan is a baked custard dessert with a layer of caramel on top. To make flan, you first caramelize sugar, pour it into a round mold or individual baking cups, and then top it with custard made from eggs, milk or other dairy, sugar and flavorings.

What is one of the most difficult desserts to make? ›

Desserts like chocolate soufflé are known to be challenging. Your chances of baking the ideal chocolate soufflé will increase if you carefully whisk and fold the meringue and wait patiently until the buzzer sounds before opening the oven. Meringues are sensitive to humidity, temperature, and movement.

Why is flan unhealthy? ›

Flan does contain high amount of calcium but the cholesterol and amount of sugar over powers the calcium benefits. One serving (3.5 oz / 100g) of flan has close to 36 grams sugar. It is and seem quite high until you compare it with a can of soda which contains about 44g of sugar.

Is flan from Mexico or Spain? ›

The flan's history is traced back to ancient Rome when egg surpluses were transformed into custards to produce both sweet and savory tastes. The Spaniards took it to America, where it became a delicacy. Due to the Mexican's heavy influence on the recipe evolved there and became today's sweet staple.

Do they eat flan in Mexico? ›

Spaniards brought flan to Mexico during Spanish conquest and occupation. Since then it's become a truly beloved dish among Mexicans in all regions of the country. Most people consider flan a dessert, but more and more people are finding excuses to eat it at all times of the day.

What is the difference between French and Spanish flan? ›

French Flan vs Spanish Flan

The main difference is that the French version is baked inside a tart crust while the Spanish version is a pudding-like baked custard, usually baked in a water bath. The ingredients are pretty close, but the Spanish version usually does not have Cornstarch in it and is made with Milk only.

How do I know when my flan is done? ›

The flan is ready to be removed from the oven when it has begun to set. Gently shake the pan: the centers of the custard should jiggle slightly. You can also insert the tip of a knife into the custard near the center; if the flan is still liquid, it needs more time in the oven.

Do you flip the flan when it's hot or cold? ›

Once the custards have cooled a bit, move them to the fridge to continue cooling for 4-24 hours. Before serving, run a knife along the edge of your flan dish and then place a plate/serving dish on top and flip over. Remove the flan dish and voila, a very sophisticated and delicious dessert (or breakfast).

How long do you let flan cool before flipping? ›

Remove the foil and allow it to cool on the counter for 1 hour till it comes to room temperature. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Once fully cooled, run a knife around the edges and then place a plate onto the flan. Flip quickly and give it a quick wiggle.

What is flan called in America? ›

Flan may refer to: Crème caramel, a custard dessert with clear caramel sauce, the most common US meaning. Flan (pie), an open sweet or savoury tart, the most common UK meaning.

What is a Spanish flan called? ›

Spain. In Spain, crème caramel is a typical dessert that is often homemade and is also sold in grocery stores and restaurants with many variations. The best known version is the typical flan de huevo (egg flan), but there are many other versions, such as flan de queso, flan de leche, flan de vainilla, etc.

What is the English word for flan? ›

(flæn , flɑn ) Word forms: flans plural. 1. variable noun. A flan is a custard dessert with a caramel sauce.

Why didn't my flan come out smooth? ›

I like to bake my flan at a lower temperature so that it has time to cook evenly. and if your oven isn't calibrated correctly. it'll end up either under baked or over baked. a perfectly cooked flan should be firm around the edge.

Why did my flan caramel get hard? ›

It's normal. Caramel hardens when you pour it into a ramekin but gradually melts into syrup during cooking. If the layer of caramel poured into a ramekin is too thick, it will not have time to completely melt during cooking.

What happens when you overcook flan? ›

Yes, you can overcook flan. Overcooking your flan will result in a rubbery, eggy final product. A reliable way to test flan and baked custards for doneness is to gently thump the side of the pan. If the custard wobbles as one unit (instead of rippling like a stone's been tossed in the pool), it's ready.

How do you know if flan is undercooked? ›

The flan is ready to be removed from the oven when it has begun to set. Gently shake the pan: the centers of the custard should jiggle slightly. You can also insert the tip of a knife into the custard near the center; if the flan is still liquid, it needs more time in the oven.

References

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