Velvety Vanilla Flan

Velvety Vanilla Flan with caramel glaze and chopped walnuts on white plate with towel — Velvety Vanilla Flan topped with a rich caramel glaze and surrounded by golden walnuts

If you’ve never made flan at home before, this Velvety Vanilla Flan will show you just how easy—and elegant—it can be. With a silky-smooth custard and a rich amber caramel topping, each bite melts like velvet on your tongue. And best of all? You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients to pull off this showstopper.

This flan is beautifully baked in a simple water bath to ensure the creamiest texture, while the classic trio of eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk keeps the flavor rich but balanced. Plus, a generous splash of vanilla gives it that warm, bakery-style aroma that fills your kitchen with comfort.

Interestingly, flan has been around since Roman times and made its way through Europe and Latin America, becoming a beloved dessert across cultures. Today, it’s a staple at celebrations—but with this recipe, you’ll want to make it on a regular Tuesday.

So, if you’re looking for a stunning dessert that’s low effort but high impact, this Velvety Vanilla Flan is your new go-to.

Recipe Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

For the custard:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
⅛ tsp fine sea salt

For the caramel:
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven:
Set oven to 325°F (163°C). Place a large roasting pan inside to preheat—it will hold the water bath later.

2. Make the caramel:
In a medium saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium. Swirl gently (don’t stir) until it turns deep golden, about 6–8 minutes. Immediately pour into a 9-inch round cake pan, tilting to coat the bottom. Let set.

3. Blend the custard:
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Avoid overmixing to prevent bubbles. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into the caramel-lined pan.

4. Prepare the water bath:
Set the filled pan inside the hot roasting pan. Carefully add hot water to the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the flan pan.

5. Bake the flan:
Bake 50–60 minutes, until the center is just set and slightly jiggly. Remove and cool in the water bath for 1 hour.

6. Chill completely:
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

7. Unmold and serve:
Run a thin knife around the edge. Invert onto a large plate and let the caramel flow over. Slice and serve chilled.

HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

Don’t Stir the Caramel: Swirl the pan gently instead—stirring can cause crystals and ruin the smooth texture.
Strain for Silkiness: Pouring the custard through a sieve removes bubbles and bits for an ultra-smooth, restaurant-quality finish.
Refrigerate Overnight: The longer the flan chills, the cleaner it slices and the deeper the caramel soaks into every bite.

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