Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican Flan
A smooth and creamy flan infused with bright orange zest and subtle star anise spice, caramelized to perfection for a traditional Dominican dessert. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers granulated sugar, water, whole milk into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh orange zest
- 1/4 tsp ground star anise
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water. Cook without stirring until sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber caramel color, about 8-10 minutes. Immediately pour caramel into a 9-inch round flan pan, swirling to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside to harden.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, warm 2 cups whole milk with 1 tbsp fresh orange zest and 1/4 tsp ground star anise over medium heat until just simmering, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Slowly strain the infused milk through a fine sieve into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to combine.
- Step 4: Pour the custard mixture over the set caramel in the flan pan. Place the flan pan inside a larger baking dish and fill the outer dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the flan pan to create a water bath.
- Step 5: Bake for 50-60 minutes until the flan is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Remove from oven and water bath; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before unmolding.
- Step 6: To serve, run a thin knife around the edges and invert onto a serving plate, letting the caramel sauce drizzle over the flan.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican Flan take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican Flan?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican 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 Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican 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 Orange and Anise-Spiced Dominican Flan?
Caribbean desserts 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.
