Mexican Flan Recipe (Crème Caramel)

This traditional Mexican flan recipe has been in my family for over 60 years. It is a classic, smooth, creamy dessert that is never missing from our family's special occasions.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar (granulated sugar)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk ((14 oz))
• 1 can evaporated milk ((12 oz))
• 1/4 cup half & half (or heavy cream (optional))
• 6 whole eggs ( at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or one vanilla bean)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (approx.180 degrees C.).
2. 2Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil in the large pot. The exact amount will depend on the size of the pan you use for double-boiler baking.
3. 3Place the baking dish you are using near where you will make the caramel. I used a 9.5-inch (24 cm) diameter glass pie pan for this recipe.
4. 4--- Prepare the Caramel ---
5. 5Pour the sugar into the pan or skillet and place on the stove over medium-high heat. When you see that the sugar begins to look a little liquid on the edges, reduce the temperature to medium heat and start stirring with the wooden spoon.
6. 6At first, the sugar will look like little rocks, but as you continue stirring, it will start melting.
7. 7Adjust the heat to medium-low and continue stirring until the sugar becomes liquid and turns golden or amber in color. The entire process will take approximately 5 minutes; however, once the sugar is in a liquid state, it burns easily, so keep an eye on it.
8. 8Pour the sugar into the baking dish and move it carefully so that the sugar covers the entire bottom. Set aside.
9. 9--- Prepare the Custard Mixture ---
10. 10Pour the evaporated milk, condensed milk, half and half or heavy cream (this ingredient is optional, but the flan is creamier with it), whole eggs, and vanilla into a blender pitcher.
11. 11Blend the ingredients at the lowest speed of your blender for a few seconds until everything is well combined.
12. 12If you use a low speed, the mixture won't form a lot of foam or air bubbles; we are looking for a velvety texture. But don't worry if you see air bubbles; the flavor will be the same.
13. 13--- Bake the Flan in a Bain Marie ---
14. 14Place the baking dish inside the large roasting pan.
15. 15Pour in the custard base, passing it through the strainer into the baking dish. Cover it with foil.
16. 16Transport to the oven. Carefully pour the hot water into the larger roasting pan, making sure the water level reaches at least halfway up the side of the baking dish.
17. 17Bake for 50-60 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size of the mold you used and your oven.
18. 18To know when the flan is ready, lift the aluminum foil and carefully shake the baking dish. If the flan gives a slight jiggle in the center (like gelatine) or if when you insert a toothpick in the center, it comes out clean, it's ready.
19. 19Take the flan out of the oven, but leave it in the water bath and wait until the water is lukewarm to the touch. At that moment, you will see the flan is firmer, but when you shake it, you will notice an almost imperceptible movement in the center.
20. 20If, on the contrary, when you shake it in the oven, you notice that the center moves a lot, cover it with the aluminum foil again and bake it for another 5 minutes. Check again. Please resist the temptation to continue baking until it is completely firm; otherwise, it will overcook and be harder and less creamy when you serve it.
21. 21--- Let it cool ---
22. 22Remove the flan from the water and let it cool completely on the kitchen counter. Then, put it in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, although it is best to leave it overnight, which makes it a great make-ahead recipe.
23. 23--- Unmold the Flan ---
24. 24Take the flan out of the refrigerator and run a knife along the entire edge of the baking dish to loosen it.
25. 25Place the tray or plate where you are going to serve it, face down on the baking dish. Turn it over and place it on a smooth surface in one quick motion.
26. 26The flan will gradually come down until it falls completely into the tray. Pour the caramel on top of the flan and enjoy.