Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

An easy-to-make flan with a silky texture and golden caramel sauce, perfect for sharing at any occasion. This latin american-inspired desserts ready in about 75 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 250 calories and feeds 6, 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 3 tbsp water over medium heat. Cook without stirring for 8-10 minutes until sugar turns a deep amber caramel. Immediately pour caramel into a 9-inch round baking dish, swirling to coat bottom evenly. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, 3 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour the milk and egg mixture gently over the set caramel in the baking dish.
  4. Step 4: Place the baking dish inside a larger roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the flan dish to create a water bath.
  5. Step 5: Bake flan in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes until set but slightly jiggly in the center.
  6. Step 6: Remove flan from water bath and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before inverting onto a serving plate to reveal the caramel sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce 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 Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce?

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 granulated sugar from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce?

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 Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Simple Flan with Caramel Sauce?

Latin American 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.

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