Creamy Puerto Rican Flan
A silky-smooth caramel custard with a delicate vanilla flavor, set in a rich, golden-brown caramel base for a perfect balance of sweet and creamy. This puerto rican-inspired mexican ready in about 75 minutes pairs sugar, water, large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 6 large eggs
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (14 oz) evaporated milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water; cook over medium heat without stirring until sugar dissolves and turns deep amber (8-10 minutes), then immediately pour into a 9-inch baking dish, swirling to coat the bottom evenly.
- Step 2: Whisk eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl until smooth and well combined (2-3 minutes).
- Step 3: Strain egg mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the caramel-coated baking dish to remove lumps.
- Step 4: Place baking dish in a larger roasting pan and pour hot water into the pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
- Step 5: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes until set and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight) until completely set.
- Step 7: Run a knife around the edges, invert onto a serving plate, and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Puerto Rican Flan take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Puerto Rican Flan?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sugar from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Puerto Rican Flan?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Puerto Rican Flan for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Puerto Rican Flan?
Puerto Rican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better mexican dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better mexican dishes though.
