The Best French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe Ever

Flan coco weaves a sweet narrative of tropical indulgence, capturing the essence of French Caribbean culinary traditions.

Caribbean desserts often tell stories of cultural fusion and vibrant flavors.

The silky custard reflects generations of refined cooking techniques passed through island families.

Smooth textures and rich coconut notes dance together, creating a delectable experience that transports you to sun-drenched shores.

Each spoonful promises a luxurious journey through creamy landscapes of traditional Caribbean gastronomy.

Subtle sweetness and delicate preparation make this dessert a true celebration of regional ingredients and cooking artistry.

Dive into this irresistible treat that embodies the heart of French Antilles cuisine.

Coconut Flan That’s Rich With Island Flavor

• Indulge in Creamy Coconut Bliss: Experience a velvety smooth dessert that melts in your mouth with rich, tropical coconut flavors that transport you straight to the French Antilles.
• Master a Simple Culinary Technique: Learn an easy bain-marie baking method that creates a perfectly silky custard texture without complex cooking skills, making this recipe accessible to home cooks of all levels.
• Celebrate Tropical Dessert Elegance: Enjoy a stunning dessert that looks impressive yet requires minimal ingredients and preparation, perfect for dinner parties, family gatherings, or a luxurious weekend treat that feels like a Caribbean vacation on a plate.

What You’ll Need to Make This Caribbean Dessert

• Sugar: Essential for creating golden caramel base with deep, rich flavor.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut Milk: Creamy base that provides rich texture and tropical coconut essence.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the flan's smooth, silky consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet background note that complements coconut flavor.
• Shredded Coconut: Provides textural contrast and authentic French Antilles coconut profile, best when fresh and unsweetened.

Instructions to Bake the Perfect Coconut Flan

Step 1: Create Golden Caramel

• Heat sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat
• Allow sugar to melt without stirring
• Gently shake pan to ensure even melting
• Watch carefully until caramel turns golden amber
• Remove from heat immediately
• Pour caramel evenly into ungreased loaf pan
• Let caramel cool and harden

Step 2: Whisk Creamy Flan Mixture

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Coconut milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Shredded coconut

Whisk until smooth and well blended

Pour mixture over hardened caramel

Step 3: Set Up Water Bath Baking

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Place loaf pan inside a larger baking dish

Fill larger dish with water until it reaches 1/4 up loaf pan sides

Bake for 50-55 minutes

Check for light golden top and firm texture

Remove from oven

Cool at room temperature on cooling rack

Refrigerate for minimum 3 hours

Step 4: Gracefully Unmold Flan

Dip loaf pan in warm water for 2 inches to soften caramel

Slide knife around pan edges

Place serving plate over pan

Quickly flip to release flan

Garnish with extra shredded coconut

Serve chilled and enjoy

Tips to Avoid Air Bubbles and Overcooking

• Master Caramel Technique: Watch the sugar closely during caramelization, gently swirling the pan to prevent burning and achieve a perfect golden amber color.
• Create Smooth Texture: Whisk the flan mixture thoroughly to ensure no lumps and a silky, consistent custard that sets beautifully.
• Prevent Overcooking: Use the water bath method to maintain gentle, even heat and prevent the edges from becoming rubbery or cracking.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Allow the flan to refrigerate for at least 3 hours to develop a rich, deep coconut taste and firm up the texture.
• Unmolding Pro Tip: Warm the pan's bottom briefly in water and use a smooth, confident motion when flipping to release the flan without breaking its delicate structure.

Storing Flan With the Right Texture

• Refrigerate: Cover the flan tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal it completely to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freeze: Wrap the flan securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for no more than 1 month to maintain the best texture and flavor.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Serve chilled or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Avoid microwaving, as it can compromise the delicate custard texture.

What Goes Well With Coconut Flan

• Pair with Tropical Rum Cocktail: Craft a light, refreshing Caribbean-style rum cocktail with white rum, fresh pineapple juice, and a splash of coconut water to complement the flan's sweet coconut flavor.
• Match with Citrus Sorbet: Serve a zesty lime or passion fruit sorbet alongside the flan to provide a tangy contrast to the creamy, rich dessert and cleanse the palate.
• Accompany with Espresso: Brew a strong, bold espresso to cut through the flan's sweetness and enhance the caramel and coconut notes, creating a classic dessert pairing that brings out the depth of flavors.
• Garnish with Fresh Fruit: Add a small side of fresh tropical fruits like mango, papaya, or passion fruit to introduce a bright, fresh element that balances the flan's creamy texture.

New Twists on Classic Coconut Desserts

• Tropical Mango Coconut Fusion: Swap half the coconut milk with fresh mango puree for a vibrant Caribbean-inspired dessert with extra tropical sweetness.
• Rum-Infused Island Classic: Add 2 tablespoons of dark rum to the flan mixture for an authentic French Antilles flavor profile that brings warm, rich undertones.
• Spiced Coconut Dream: Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg into the mixture to create a warm, aromatic version with subtle Caribbean spice notes.
• Chocolate Coconut Indulgence: Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the flan base for a decadent chocolate-coconut combination that adds depth and richness to the traditional recipe.

French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Caribbean coconut flan whispers sweet memories of French Antilles culinary traditions. Silky custard infused with rich coconut essence melts on your palate, transporting taste buds to sun-drenched tropical shores.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cup (300ml/10.15 fluid ounces) coconut milk (from a can)
• 1 cup (95g) unsweetened shredded coconut (plus extra for garnish)

Dairy and Sweeteners:

• 1 ½ cup + 1 tablespoon (400ml/14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or seeds from ½ vanilla bean)

Caramel:

• ½ cup (100g) sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a golden caramel by melting sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, gently swirling the pan to ensure even transformation without stirring. Watch attentively as the sugar transitions to a rich amber tone, then promptly remove from heat.
2. Carefully coat the interior base of a loaf pan with the molten caramel, allowing it to cool and solidify into a glossy layer.
3. Whisk together coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and shredded coconut in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
4. Gently cascade the creamy coconut mixture over the hardened caramel layer, ensuring an even distribution within the loaf pan.
5. Prepare a water bath by placing the loaf pan inside a larger baking dish, then fill the outer dish with water reaching approximately one-quarter up the sides of the loaf pan.
6. Position the water bath in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C), allowing the flan to bake for 50-55 minutes until the surface turns a delicate golden hue and feels firm when touched.
7. Extract the flan from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack.
8. Refrigerate the cooled dessert for a minimum of three hours to achieve optimal setting and flavor development.
9. When ready to serve, submerge the loaf pan briefly in warm water to loosen the caramel seal.
10. Trace a knife along the pan’s edges to separate the flan, then swiftly invert onto a serving plate in one confident motion.
11. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of shredded coconut and present this French Antilles delicacy to eager guests.

Notes

• Craft this delectable coconut flan using a water bath method to ensure even, gentle cooking and a silky smooth texture.
• Select high-quality coconut milk for an authentic Caribbean flavor that elevates the dessert’s richness and creamy consistency.
• Monitor caramel closely during preparation, as it can quickly transition from golden to burnt, potentially ruining the entire dessert.
• Chill the flan for minimum 3 hours to allow proper setting and enhance the flavor melding of coconut and caramel notes.
• Warm water technique helps release the flan seamlessly from the pan, preserving its delicate structure and beautiful caramel coating.
• Serve chilled with an extra sprinkle of shredded coconut for added texture and visual appeal that celebrates tropical dessert traditions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French Antilles

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 306
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 63mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 92mg