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Classic Spanish Flan Recipe

Classic Spanish Flan Recipe


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4.6 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Silky Spanish flan delivers a creamy custard dream straight from Madrid’s finest kitchens. Rich caramel sauce cascades over delicate egg-based dessert, promising sweet indulgence with each elegant spoonful you savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces / 340 grams) evaporated milk

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Caramel Topping:

  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Craft a velvety caramel sauce by gently melting sugar in a saucepan, watching carefully as it transforms into a rich amber liquid without disturbing its natural progression.
  2. Meticulously coat the bottom of a round baking dish with the golden caramel, allowing it to cool and form a glossy, hardened layer that will become the glistening top of the dessert.
  3. In a spacious mixing vessel, whisk eggs until they become light and uniform, creating a smooth foundation for the custard.
  4. Introduce sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and fragrant vanilla extract to the eggs, blending with gentle, consistent strokes until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous texture.
  5. Gently cascade the creamy custard mixture over the hardened caramel, ensuring an even distribution across the baking dish.
  6. Nestle the flan within a larger water bath, carefully adding hot water to reach midway up the sides of the baking dish, which will help create a delicate, tender custard through gentle, indirect heat.
  7. Slide the water bath into a preheated oven, allowing the flan to bake until the center sets with a subtle, seductive wobble; approximately one hour of patient cooking.
  8. Extract the flan from the oven and permit it to cool to room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator for a minimum of six hours to fully set and develop its characteristic smooth consistency.
  9. When ready to serve, trace a knife along the edges to release the flan, then confidently invert onto a serving plate, watching as the luscious caramel cascades over the pristine surface of the dessert.

Notes

  • Caramel requires patience and careful attention to prevent burning, so watch the sugar closely without stirring.
  • Bain-marie technique ensures even, gentle cooking by surrounding the flan with hot water during baking.
  • Refrigeration is crucial for setting the custard’s texture and allowing flavors to develop fully.
  • Always use room temperature eggs to create a smooth, silky custard without lumps.
  • Inverting the flan onto a serving plate creates a stunning presentation with golden caramel cascading over the creamy dessert.
  • Test the flan’s doneness by gently shaking the dish – the center should wobble slightly like soft jelly.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 36 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg