Latin Flan
Michael and I had dinner recently at a traditional Brazilian steakhouse or churrascaria. While the open fire-roasted meat was wonderful, the South American flan we shared for dessert was our favorite part of the meal. Flan, also known as crème caramel, is a rich, sweet custard topped with caramel sauce. (It’s similar to crème brûlée, the creamy custard topped with a brittle layer of hard caramel.) In Latin America, flan is made with sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, giving it an ultra-creamy, luxurious texture — like a cross between pudding and cheesecake. To recreate it at home, I tried at least a half dozen recipes. This one, adapted from from Cook’s Illustrated, was the clear winner. Since it’s prepared in a loaf pan rather than individual ramekins, and can be made up to four days ahead, it’s a perfect dinner party dessert.
To begin, start the caramel by stirring together the sugar and a 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan until the sugar is completely moistened.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, without stirring.
Continue cooking until the mixture begins to turn golden. Gently swirling the pan, continue to cook until sugar is a pale honey color.
Remove from the heat and swirl the pan until sugar is reddish-amber and fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds.
Carefully swirl in 2 tablespoons warm tap water until incorporated – be careful as the mixture will bubble and steam.
Pour the caramel into 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan and set aside.
As you can see, the color you’re going for is very close to a dark honey.
Whisk the eggs and yolks in large bowl until combined. Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk, vanilla, Bourbon, and salt and whisk until incorporated.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a larger bowl.
Pour the strained custard into the loaf pan over the caramel.
Place the loaf pan in the center of a 9×13-inch baking or roasting pan (preferably with high sides) to make a water bath. Place the nested pans in the oven; using a tea kettle or pitcher, pour hot water around the loaf pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the loaf pan. (The water bath moderates the heat to ensure that the mixture cooks evenly into a smooth and creamy custard.) Bake for 75 – 90 minutes, until the custard is set around the edges but still a bit jiggly in the center. Remove the pans from the oven and leave the flan in water bath for 1 hour to cool.
Remove the loaf pan from water bath, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill overnight or up to 4 days.
To unmold, carefully slide a knife around the edges of the pan. Invert a platter with a raised rim on top of flan and turn the pan and platter over. If it doesn’t release immediately, let it sit inverted for a minute and it should eventually slide out.
When the flan is released, remove the loaf pan. Using rubber spatula, scrape the residual caramel onto the flan. You won’t be able to release all of it – that’s okay.
Slice the flan and spoon the sauce over the individual servings. Enjoy!
Latin Flan
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs plus 5 yolks
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- ½ cup whole milk (half-and-half or 2% milk may be substituted but do not use skim milk)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Bourbon (see note)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- (This recipe should be made at least one day before serving.) Adjust a rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Stir together the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium heavy saucepan until the sugar is completely moistened. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and cook, without stirring, until the mixture begins to turn golden. Gently swirling the pan, continue to cook until sugar is a honey color. Remove from the heat and swirl the pan until the sugar is reddish-amber and fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds. Carefully swirl in 2 tablespoons of warm tap water until incorporated – be careful as the mixture will bubble and steam. This whole process should take less than 10 minutes.
- Pour the caramel into an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan; do not scrape out the saucepan. Set the loaf pan aside. (To clean the hardened caramel from the saucepan, fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil.)
- Whisk the eggs and yolks in large bowl until combined. Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk, vanilla, Bourbon, and salt and whisk until incorporated. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl to remove any bits of egg; then pour the strained custard into the loaf pan over the caramel.
- Place the loaf pan in the center of a 9x13-inch baking or roasting pan (preferably with high sides) to make a water bath. Place the nested pans in the oven; then, using a tea kettle or pitcher, pour hot water around the loaf pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the loaf pan. Bake for 75 - 90 minutes, until the custard is set around the edges but still a bit jiggly in the center. (Don’t worry that it seems undercooked. The custard will continue to cook as it cools, and the center will set completely -- I promise!) Carefully remove the pans from the oven and leave the flan in the water bath for 1 hour to cool.
- Remove the loaf pan from the water bath and wipe the pan dry. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge overnight or up to 4 days.
- To unmold the flan, carefully slide a sharp knife around the edges of the pan. Invert a platter with a raised rim (to contain the liquid caramel) on top of the flan and turn the pan and platter over. If the flan doesn’t release immediately, let it sit inverted for a minute and it should slide out. When the flan is released, remove the loaf pan. Using rubber spatula, scrape the residual caramel onto the platter. You won’t be able to release all of the caramel – that’s okay. Slice the flan and spoon the sauce over individual portions. (Leftover flan may be covered loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerated.)
- Note: If you would like to omit the Bourbon, replace with an additional 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Serving size: 1 slice
- Calories: 249
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Sugar: 39 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Sodium: 224 mg
- Cholesterol: 61 mg
Reviews & Comments
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If I forgot to add the warm tap water into the caramel, should I re-do it? Will it make that much of a difference if I don’t?
I would, Meghan – it will be too hard without it. Sorry!
Hello. I made this last night and it turned out very tough and a bit curdled. . The taste was nice but the consistency was wrong . It look a bit pock marked- what did I do wrong ?
Hi Leeann, So sorry you had trouble with the flan. By chance did you make any substitutions? Did you use the water bath method to cook it?
I made no substitutions but I think my water bath may not have been deep enough
Yes, Leeann, if the water bath is too shallow, it could cause the flan to overcook. I suspect that’s what happened here.
Hello I have a nonstick loaf pan- would that work? Your loaf pan– where did you buy it? Do you remember?
Hi Judith, Yes, a nonstick loaf pan would work here. The loaf pan I use is by Chicago Metallic (but I don’t actually recommend that brand for this recipe as they tend to leak a little with a thinner batter like this one).
Hello my loaf pan if 8×4 would it work or a 9×5?
Thanks!
Hi, is your loaf pan 8 x 4-inches rather than 8½ x 4½-inches? If it is, I’d suggest the 9 x 5 to ensure that this doesn’t pour over the top. (Because the batter comes up so high in the pan.)
Okay awesome want to make sure I could use a 9×5 since I don’t have a 8 1/2 to 4 1/2. Thanks
It will work, but it will be quite flat – you also may need to reduce the cook time a bit.
Delicious, light, and not too sweet! Definitely will be added to my dessert recipes.
Do you think the Eagle Brand fat free condensed milk would work in this recipe? Thank you.
Hi Phyllis, Unfortunately, I don’t think fat free condensed milk would work well here. Sorry!
My son loves Flan and he loves this flan. Made it minus the bourbon.
I’ve always been intimidated by the caramel-making process, but Jenn’s crystal-clear step-by-step instructions (with photos!) emboldened me to try this recipe. I made it for a Cinco de Mayo gathering of friends; the process was truly easy and the flan turned out perfectly. I base my evaluation on the fact that when I served it, the group went silent except for murmurs of ummm…. and ahh….. and oh my goodness! all around. This goes in the Standard Desert for Special Occasions file!
Making this again for Mother’s Day Brunch! Best flan ever…..receives raves every time I serve this….serve with berries for finishing touch!
Hi! I’m planning to surprise my family for mother’s day with this recipe. Do you need to cover the pan with a foil to keep the flan moist?
Hi Kathy, Good question. I know most recipes call for foil but I’ve tried it both ways with this recipe and there’s no difference. Hope it’s a hit on Mother’s Day!
This is the best recipe for flan I have tried. I love flan!
Hi Jenn,
Can I use a a loaf pan made from silicone for this recipe?
Thanks!
Alia
Hi Alia, I think this would work best in a regular (hard-sided) loaf pan. Sorry!
This recipe was delicious. My family doesn’t like anything that is overly sweet and this was perfect because it wasn’t super sweet. The only issue what that my family said the syrup had somewhat of a bitter taste to it. Is this from the bourbon?
Hi Diana, That’s from cooking the sugar – you may have let it go a little too far. A little bitterness is nice to cut the sweetness but next time try taking it off the heat a little sooner.
I made this and it was perfect. Everyone that I shared it with also enjoyed it.
Delicious. I made this Saturday and last night. Everyone kept asking…. you made this. It’s so creamy and delicious. Perfect in a way because I make my omelette with the egg whites. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Loved these. I might make a little more caramel next time since a pretty significant amount stuck to my pan when I flipped it. But overall it was an easy and tasty recipe for my first attempt at flan.
The flan was delicious but when I turned it upside down the caramel color wasn’t there. Did I do something wrong? Do you put sauce again after getting it out? Thanks again!
Hi Alpana, It sounds like maybe you didn’t cook the sauce long enough to get caramel-colored. Is it possible you took the sauce off the heat too soon?
What temperature do we bake it at?
Hi Alpana, It gets baked at 300°F. Enjoy!
I made this for a New Years party. It tasted so good, dense and I like it that way. Enjoyed by all! Thank you Jenn.
I can’t find the ingredient amounts also if I leave the booze out will it still work thanks in advance
Hi Kimmi, It sounds like you are just looking at the portion of the page that has the pictures with some instructions underneath. If you scroll down a bit to under the pictures, you’ll find the full recipe. Alternatively, at the very top of the page, you can click the “recipe” button right under the recipe title. And you can omit the Bourbon- just replace it with an additional 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Absolutely delicious! Made this for Christmas dessert and everyone raved over it. Will make it again for sure.
I made this twice over the holidays, it is fantastic and exactly like I have had out at our favorite Brazilian restaurant.Easy to prepare and delicious!!Thank you for another hit!
Just wanted to update – I googled “how to make caramel” and realized that I had been stirring, not swirling, too much. The site also suggested more sugar which I did, although I’m not sure that was the issue – I think it was the stirring. When I finally got it right (I would never give up on one of the Chef’s recipes!), it was super easy and the lightest, best flan I’ve ever had.
So glad it worked out, Bonnie!
This is the real deal. Made for a dessert party. Everyone raved. Not one drop left. Super easy to make. Followed instructions exactly. Yummy
I have the same problem as Bonnie. My sugar remains colourless, not the honey coloured shown in your picture. Also felt that the condensed milk taste is too strong and overall too sweet. It’s like eating condensed milk in its solid form. Overall easy to make but taste not as good though. Thanks
Hi Teresa, So sorry you had trouble with the caramel. It will eventually change color, you just need to give it more time.
Like many others, …I followed your recipe exactly (except I used rum instead of bourbon because that’s what I had) and ended up with the best flan I’ve ever eaten. I’ve made flan in the past following directions that were more difficult, less clear, and not as good. Thank you.
Quite easy to prepare and love that it can be made days in advance!
Really good! Not too heavy. Just the right sweetness.
We served this on Christmas Eve to everyone’s delight.
Hi,
I’m making this recipe to serve on Christmas day. Can you clarify the measurements of condensed and evaporated milks, please. Your picture shows a can of evaporated milk larger than the can of condensed milk. However, your written recipe calls for a 14 oz can of condensed milk and a 12 oz can of evaporated milk.
Thanks!
Those are correct, Beatrice – sweetened condensed milk is much thicker (and heavier) than evaporated milk.
I cooked it about 5-7 minutes, watching it so it so it wouldn’t burn but would turn.
Hi Bonnie, I’m guessing you need to increase the heat a bit and cook it longer. It will eventually turn color.
just tried this and the sugar-water got hard but never turned golden. Advice?
Hmmm, not sure Bonnie. Anytime you cook sugar it should eventually change color — how long did you cook it?
My grandma uses the same recipe but she uses a bundt pan? Will that still work?
Hi Jerrika, I wouldn’t use a bundt pan for this recipe, as I don’t think you’ll have enough custard to fill it — and it would be tough to run a knife along the edges to unmold it without butchering it. Sorry!
I’ve used the original Cook’s Illustrated version of this recipe several times now, and I am always amazed at how easy it is to make yet how impressive it turns out. The perfect crowd pleaser! I am looking forward to trying out your variation. What were the significant differences that you found in your version versus the original?
Hi Rachel, The Cooks Illustrated recipe is wonderful as is but I wanted a little more depth of flavor, so I reduced the vanilla extract and added Bourbon. A little booze in custard goes a long way :). I also simplified the instructions/process a bit – I love Cooks Illustrated but find some of their recipes to have unnecessary steps (such as lining the pan with a dishtowel). And I always add my own notes to recipes if adapting from another source, just to help people along where I think there might be some confusion.
Greetings. I am Puerto Rican and here I send my own recipe for cheese flan. It is delicious.
1 cup sugar, for caramel.
5 eggs.
1 can of condensed milk.
1 can of evaporated milk.
1 pack of cream cheese (Philadelphia).
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Follow Jenn Segal’s instructions. Enjoy!!!
Hi Carlos, I have seen many flan recipes that call for cream cheese; I imagine it makes it more “cheesecake-y.” Look forward to trying your version!
Very, very similar to my mom’s recipe… the only major difference is the water bath. My mom cooks her flan in a stovetop water bath instead of the oven. To my taste, the consistency of mom’s flan is a little silkier, not as heavy… is there really a difference, Jen? Nothing says Christmas in a Latin household more than a holiday flan! And BTW Jen, anything I make following your recipes is always 5-star!
Hi MC, So glad you’re enjoying the recipes. I’ve never tried cooking a flan on the stovetop so I can’t say for sure what the difference would be. Are the quantities of all the ingredients the same? Does she cook hers in a loaf pan?
Jenn, this looks wonderful! Do you think that I could replace the bourbon with Grand Marnier?
Definitely! Please let me know how it turns out.
This recipe looks delicious. I’ve recently went to a churrascaria and I had Brazilian cheese bread. Do you have a recipe for that?
Hi Evelyn, I also tried Brazilian cheese bread at a churrascaria and it was delish! Unfortunately, I don’t have a recipe for one, but will keep it in mind as something to potentially develop in the future.
Hi Evelyn and Jenn,
Sorry to intrude in your comment. I’m actually from Minas, cheese bread land, and I now live in Alexandria, VA. After trying lots of recipes, I’ve finally found a good one that I’ll be glad to share. It’s silly that I tried recipes when I grew up making it by eye-measuring ingredients but for whatever reason not a single Brazilian recipe I’ve tried here (nor American that I’ve tried in Brazil) worked well, it might be the ingredients and the climate, who knows.
Jenn, I actually took some Libby’s canned pumpkin to Brazil to make your muffins so it could be as close to the original as possible and although it turned out really different, everyone still loved them!
So glad, Bianca…and please do share :)!
I sometimes add a little cocoa to my flan, as well. Not as traditional, but yummy
A little espresso powder is good too 🙂
Looks good. What size loaf pan?
Hi Nancy, This requires an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan. Enjoy!
Can you substitute coconut milk for the milk as some of my family is lactose intolerant and cannot even have lactose free milk and if so how much
thanks
Yvette
I haven’t tried this with coconut milk, but I think it should work; it would be the same amount as the milk. If you’re dealing with family members that are sensitive to lactose, though, this recipe does have a lot of dairy.
I make a flan with cream of coconut and after it’s made and in the pan, I sprinkle in chunks of coco rollado in heavy syrup, drained. (This can be purchased in Hispanic stores and is grated coconut in syrup.) I use a bundt pan and when plated, fill the center of the ring with strawberries. I never make it than I’m asked for the recipe.