How to Make Flan Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creamy Perfection

Flan cake, a match made in dessert heaven, combines the rich, custardy goodness of flan with the soft, airy texture of cake. It’s a classic dessert that’s sure to impress your family and friends. This recipe breaks down each step, ensuring even novice bakers can achieve creamy, dreamy flan cake perfection.

What Makes Flan Cake so Special?

Flan cake, also known as leche flan cake or crème caramel cake, is a beloved dessert in many cultures. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Rome, but it’s widely popular in Latin America and the Philippines. The beauty of this dessert lies in its contrasting textures and flavors: the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth flan paired with the light and fluffy cake is a combination that’s simply irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Flan:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 5 large eggs
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment You’ll Need

• 9-inch round baking pan
• Larger roasting pan (for water bath)
• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Electric mixer

Let’s Make Flan Cake!

Making the Caramel Topping

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
3. Once the sugar dissolves, stop stirring and let the mixture boil until it turns into a golden caramel.
4. Carefully pour the hot caramel into the bottom of your 9-inch baking pan, tilting it to coat evenly.

Tip: Be extra cautious when working with hot caramel, as it can cause burns.

Making the Flan Mixture

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Tip: For a smoother flan, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bubbles.

Making the Cake Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

Assembling and Baking the Flan Cake

1. Pour the flan mixture over the caramel in the baking pan.
2. Carefully pour the cake batter over the flan mixture.
3. Place the baking pan inside a larger roasting pan.
4. Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the baking pan. This water bath will help the flan cook evenly.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Tip: To check if the flan is set, gently shake the pan. The center should jiggle slightly.

Cooling and Serving

1. Let the flan cake cool completely in the water bath. This will prevent the flan from cracking.
2. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flan to fully set.
3. To serve, carefully run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Invert the cake onto a serving platter.

FAQs About Making Flan Cake

Q: Can I make flan cake without a water bath?

A: While a water bath is highly recommended for even cooking and a smooth flan texture, you can try baking without one. If you choose to skip the water bath, reduce the oven temperature slightly and keep a close eye on the cake to prevent over-browning.

Q: My caramel hardened too quickly. What should I do?

A: Don’t worry! Simply reheat the caramel over low heat until it melts again. Avoid stirring too much as it can re-crystallize the sugar.

Flan-tastic Variations and Flavor Pairings

While this recipe provides a delicious classic flan cake, feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings. Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate Flan Cake: Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the cake batter for a decadent twist.
• Coffee Flan Cake: Incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder into the flan mixture for a coffee-infused treat.
• Fruity Delight: Top your flan cake with fresh berries, mango slices, or a drizzle of passion fruit pulp for a refreshing touch.

Flan cake in a baking pan

Sliced Flan Cake

Time to Impress Your Taste Buds!

Making flan cake might seem daunting, but with this detailed guide, you’ll be whipping up this crowd-pleasing dessert with confidence. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own personal touch. If you’re looking for a variation on the classic flan cake, check out our recipe for Flancocho, a fusion dessert combining flan and cake. For a traditional Flan de Carmelo, we have a simple and delicious recipe you can follow. Now, put on your apron, preheat that oven, and get ready to impress your taste buds with a slice of homemade flan cake!

We’d love to hear about your flan cake adventures! Share your experience, tips, and photos in the comments below. Happy baking!