Popular's Flan

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A silky-smooth vanilla custard with a deep caramel glaze, a timeless Puerto Rican dessert that melts in your mouth. This puerto rican-inspired recipe ready in about 65 minutes pairs granulated sugar, water, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tbsp water; cook over medium heat without stirring until sugar dissolves and turns deep amber, about 10 minutes, then immediately pour into a 9-inch baking dish to coat the bottom.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 4 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until fully combined and no streaks remain.
3. Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the caramel-coated dish to remove lumps, then place the dish in a larger pan filled with hot water halfway up the sides (bain-marie).
4. Step 4: Bake for 45-50 minutes until set but still slightly jiggly in the center; cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before unmolding.