Description
This easy flan recipe offers a creamy, caramel-infused custard dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With a rich blend of eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and a homemade caramel sauce, this classic Spanish-style flan is smooth, luscious, and guaranteed to impress. Baked in a water bath to achieve the perfect silky texture, it makes for an elegant dessert that’s simple to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar with the water, stirring occasionally until it turns a golden brown color. Be careful not to burn it. Once caramelized, immediately pour the hot caramel into ramekins or a baking dish, tilting them to evenly coat the bottom.
- Prepare Custard Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Custard and Caramel: Carefully pour the custard mixture over the caramel in each ramekin or in the baking dish. Pour gently to avoid creating bubbles in the custard layer.
- Set Up Water Bath: Place the filled ramekins or baking dish into a larger baking pan. Add hot water into the larger pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins or baking dish to ensure even, gentle baking.
- Bake Flan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the flan in the water bath for 50-60 minutes, or until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center when gently shaken.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the flan from the water bath and allow it to cool slightly at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set and chill before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature eggs to avoid curdling the custard.
- Ensure the caramel does not burn as it will add bitterness to the flan.
- The water bath helps to cook the flan evenly and prevents cracking.
- Chilling the flan overnight enhances flavor and texture.
- To serve, run a knife around the edge and invert onto a plate to release the caramel sauce on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Spanish
