Description
A smooth, rich, and indulgent creamy caramel flan with a signature burnt sugar topping that’s quick and easy to make on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 2 tablespoons water (30ml)
- 2 cups whole milk (480ml)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz / 396g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Burnt Sugar Caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water. Heat over medium heat without stirring, gently swirling the pan occasionally until sugar melts and turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and pour caramel into baking dish, tilting to coat bottom evenly. Let caramel harden.
- Prepare the Custard: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups whole milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Pour custard gently over hardened caramel in baking dish.
- Set Up the Water Bath: Place flan dish inside a larger roasting pan or deep baking sheet. Pour hot water into outer pan to come halfway up sides of flan dish. Cover flan dish loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake the Flan: Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until custard is mostly set but still slightly jiggly in center. Remove foil in last 10 minutes if a firmer top is desired.
- Cool and Unmold: Remove flan dish from water bath and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. To unmold, run a thin knife around edges, place serving plate on top, and flip quickly to release flan with caramel topping.
Notes
Do not stir sugar while melting; gently swirl pan instead. Use a water bath to prevent cracking. Use room temperature eggs for best custard texture. Flan tastes best chilled overnight. Do not freeze flan as texture will degrade. Optional flavor twists include adding a splash of rum, orange zest, cinnamon, or espresso to custard.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of flan
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 38
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Protein: 8
Keywords: creamy caramel flan, burnt sugar flan, easy flan recipe, weeknight dessert, custard dessert, caramel custard