Easy Homemade Flan
This easy homemade flan is a creamy vanilla custard topped with rich, golden caramel. Made with just five pantry staples, it's surprisingly simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress with its silky-smooth texture and perfectly balanced sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Caramel
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup water
For the Custard Base
- 5 large eggs at room temperature
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract use high-quality for best flavor
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch round cake pan and a larger roasting pan for the water bath.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium, stirring until dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high and boil without stirring until the syrup turns deep amber. Remove from heat immediately.
- Step 3: Quickly pour the hot caramel into the cake pan. Using oven mitts, tilt the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Let it cool and harden.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove bubbles and egg solids.
- Step 5: Place the caramel-coated cake pan inside the roasting pan. Gently pour the custard mixture over the caramel. Fill the roasting pan with hot water halfway up the cake pan.
- Step 6: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly but is no longer liquid. Remove from the water bath and let cool on a wire rack.
- Step 7: Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight for a firmer texture.
- Step 8: To unmold, run a knife around the edges. Place a serving plate over the pan and flip quickly. If needed, dip the pan’s bottom in warm water to loosen the caramel. Slice and serve.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients to prevent curdling. Straining the custard ensures a silky texture. Avoid freezing flan as it affects consistency. For variations, try adding cream cheese, coconut milk, or coffee to the custard mix.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 338 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
- Sodium: 153 mg
- Potassium: 359 mg
- Sugar: 50 g
- Vitamin A: 403 IU
- Vitamin C: 2 mg
- Calcium: 270 mg
- Iron: 1 mg