5-Ingredient Caramel Flan
This 5-Ingredient Caramel Flan is a luscious, creamy custard dessert topped with rich caramel syrup. It features a silky texture and perfect sweetness balance, making it an elegant yet effortless treat ideal for any occasion. With only five essential ingredients and a quick preparation, this classic dessert impresses with its smooth consistency and glistening caramel presentation.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Caramel Topping
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Caramel: Heat 1 cup of sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts and turns a deep amber color. Immediately pour the caramel into your flan mold, swirling it to coat the bottom evenly before it hardens.
- Mix the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined to ensure a silky texture.
- Pour Custard Over Caramel: Carefully pour the custard mixture over the set caramel in the mold, making sure not to disturb the caramel layer.
- Bake in a Water Bath: Place the flan mold into a larger baking dish filled halfway with hot water. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50-60 minutes or until the custard is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Chill and Serve: Remove the flan from the oven and water bath, allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. To serve, run a knife around the edges, invert onto a plate, and watch the caramel cascade over the creamy custard.
Notes
- Caramel Patience: Avoid burning sugar by stirring constantly and removing from heat the moment it reaches deep amber.
- Water Bath Importance: Using a bain-marie ensures even, gentle cooking and prevents cracking in the custard.
- Fresh Eggs Matter: Using fresh eggs yields the best texture and flavor for the creamy custard.
- Don’t Overbake: Flan should be just set but slightly jiggly to maintain its signature silky texture.
- Cooling Time: Allow enough chilling time for the flan to firm up and for flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of flan)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
Keywords: caramel flan, 5-ingredient dessert, creamy flan, easy flan recipe, classic flan, custard dessert