The best way to end any Mexican meal is with a big slice of Flan. Creamy, rich, and decadent. Check out this authentic recipe for this yummy dessert.
I’m a very picky eater. I mean, VERY picky.. (Sad face)
I blame my mother, my abuelita, and all the members of my family.
Yes, they are or were amazing cooks. Even the male members of my family can tear it up in the kitchen …
Well, with the exception of my gringo. He knows how to reheat leftovers (sometimes). LOL.
Whenever I see flan at a party or a restaurant, I have a hard time eating it.
It’s one of those dishes that no one can make better than my family. So, I decided to publish our family recipe. My friends, you are in for a real treat.
This is an authentic flan recipe has been passed down from generation to generation.
It was given to me by my grandmother, the original Mama Maggie. My namesake.
She told me when she handed it to me that it was handed down to her by her grandmother. And who knows where she got it from …
This flan comes together very, very easily.
It’s the baking part, then the long hours, but you have to let it chill in the fridge.
Put the eggs in a large bowl and whisk away.
Did you know that vanilla grows native in Mexico?
It’s one of those grocery items that I hardly ever buy in the US. If you’re visiting Mexico anytime soon, buy some vanilla.
It’s a lot cheaper there than anything you’ll find state-side.
Also, I am using whole milk in this recipe. You can also use half and half.
How does flan vary from country to country?
They are very, very similar.
Where in Mexico, we use whole milk (as I am doing here), the islands such as Cuba and Puerto Rico will use sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk. They lacked fresh foods, and that is why they had to use canned foods.
Nowadays, though, you will see some of their recipes also use whole milk or half and half.
In Colombia, you might see coffee type flans.
Truth is, I don’t like oranges, but this Mexican flan recipe calls the use of orange zest.
I had way too many oranges growing up, and now, I’d rather eat a well-done steak with a rubbery texture than oranges. CRINGE!
That might be another reason why I’m so picky about my flan.
Some people will even add orange juice to their flan recipe. I’m only adding orange zest.
We just want a hint of orange not a strong “knock-your-socks-off” orange-y flavor.
Different types of flan:
I have seen people make flan key lime cheesecake flan, coconut flan, cream cheese flan, you name it!
All are delicious. This Mexican flan recipe is your basic dessert. You can easily change it up according to your taste.
My favorite variation, however, is Chocoflan.
It is incredibly delicious, but it can be hard to make.
It all goes into the oven for 1 hour then you have to let it cool for 3 hours.
Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to my family’s authentic Mexican flan recipe.
Rich and decadent. Sweet and so hard to resist.
It’s hard to see flan the same way after you taste this recipe! If you try this recipe, you will understand why I’m so picky.
Do you see the picture below, and how the caramel is pouring down the flan? Makes you just want to lick the plate clean!
Are you drooling? Because I sure am!!
History of Mexican Flan
Turns out that Mexican flan is not Mexican at all. Say what?!
I have had people from Spain and France all tell me that we adopted it from their countries. Well, I’m here to set the record straight.
Flan dates back to the Ancient Roman times. You know, Cesar and the Colosseum? Yeah, that!
From there, it spread to Spain, England, France because the Romans conquered lots of lands in Europe.
The Spanish, though, were the first (or so it seems) to add a caramelized sugar top. They brought flan to Latin America, and that’s how we got it in Mexico.
We adapted it in Mexico, and someone in my family perfected it. LOL!
Remember that coconut, vanilla, chocolate, and coffee are all native to Mexico. They added these elements to this dessert and took to an entirely new and delicious level.
I tried to figure out an exact date on my family’s Mexican flan recipe. I can only trace it as far back as the late 1700s.
Why am I publishing my family’s Mexican flan recipe?
For my son. He is a ginger redhead with green eyes who speaks Spanish.
He needs a shirt that says “Kiss me, I’m Mexican.” Or, “Faith and Fiestas. We have the luck of the Mexicans.” lol.
I want him to always know his culture, where we came from, our roots.
What better way than through food. Our foods say a lot about us, who we are, where we have been, where we’re going.
Traditions and family are everything to me and my family.
I know that my grandmother would have loved for me to share this recipe with you. She was a magician in the kitchen.
I have several of her Mexican dessert recipes up on this blog. Champurrado, Buñuelos (or Mexican Fritters), Capirotada (Mexican Bread Pudding), Tres Leches Cake, and more.
Hope you enjoy! If you make this recipe, please tag me. I’d love to see it!
Mexican Flan
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups whole milk (or half and half)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon orange rind, grated
Instructions
- Heat ½ cup sugar in a skillet, stirring constantly until it melts.
- It will turn a dark golden color.
- Remove from heat.
- Immediately pour the melted sugar into a round tart pan or round pie pan.
- Swirl it around the pan to evenly coat the bottom.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs.
- To the bowl, add milk (or half and half), ½ cup sugar, vanilla, and orange peel.
- For the water bath:
- Place a large roasting pan on an oven rack.
- Inside the roasting pan, add the caramel coated pan to the center.
- Pour egg mixture into the caramel coated pan.
- Run the tap water until it gets hot.
- Carefully add the hot tap water in the roasting pan and around the uncooked flan pan to a depth of 1 inch.
- Bake at 325 F for close to l hour, or until a knife comes out clean.
- Cool the flan on a wire rack.
- Then chill for at least 3½ hours.
- To unmold the flan:
- Use a spatula and gently go around the sides of the pan.
- Place the serving platter over the pan.
- Flip the pan and the platter and allow the flan to come down.
- Spoon any of the caramel that may remain in the pan on top of the flan.
- Slice and Enjoy!
Shannon says
Wow wow. My mouth is drooling all over my desk. Definitely pinning this for later. What a lovely delicious traditional family recipe to have on hand!
Maggie Unzueta says
Thanks for pinning. This recipe is a favorite!
Jenn says
The texture looks incredible – so silky smooth and creamy. Wow!
Maggie Unzueta says
Yes and yes! It is so yummy.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I love flan but haven’t made it in so long! Your flan recipe looks delicious and the photos are droolworthy!
Maggie Unzueta says
Thank you. Sounds like it’s time to make flan again. 🙂
Lisa Bryan says
Love a good flan and yours looks perfect!
Maggie Unzueta says
Thank you. I think so too 🙂
Beth says
That Flan is gorgeous! I am so jealous! I want a piece right now! I know what you mean about not liking other people’s cooking! My family does it best too!
Maggie Unzueta says
I knew someone would relate. I want a piece of this flan too 🙂
Ali from Home & Plate says
I’ve never been a fan of flan but maybe I don’t have the right recipe. Yours looks delectable. My folks love it so I will have to give this recipe a try and give it another try myself.
Maggie Unzueta says
I’m not a flan fan either. It MUST be this recipe. Give this one a try. You might be surprised.
Christine says
Such a beautiful delicious looking flan. The texture is amazing!
Maggie Unzueta says
Yes, and thank you. 🙂
Syama says
Have been some time since we made flan . Always loved it and yours look incredible. Guess it is a sign to get cooking!
Maggie Unzueta says
That’s how I would see it too. Hope you like this recipe. 🙂
Joan Cajic says
Never tried this, this looks really delicious. Pinning this for later.
Maggie Unzueta says
You’re going to love it. Thanks for pinning!
Anne | onedeterminedlife says
I have never made flan, but it’s on my list of desserts to try and make. This looks amazing
Maggie Unzueta says
This is an family recipe. You’re going to love it!
Elise Cohen Ho says
I came to find this recipe as my husband loves Flan and I have considered making it at home.
Maggie Unzueta says
Both you and your husband will love this recipe. It’s a family recipe passed on from generation to generation.
Diane Vallejo says
The instructions say “a bottomless ring mold.” Huh? Seems like you would use a regular-bottomed round tart pan or straight-edged round pie plate. The flan does not look like it was baked in a ring mold and it appears to have been baked in a pan with a bottom. The plan looks good, but confused about the pan.
Maggie Unzueta says
Oh no! I meant to say a ring mold pan for flan. Have you seen them? I love how easy they are to store. More people might use the kind of pan you’re talking about. Thanks for pointing that out.
Diane Vallejo says
Ok, thanks for your reply! I look forward to making it.
❤ from Texas
Maria says
Vou fazer .parece delicioso
Maggie Unzueta says
Gracias. Lo es! 🙂
RainDrop says
Thank you for sharing this great recipe. The flan came out perfect and was totally delicious. Family recipies are the best ones 🙂
Maggie Unzueta says
That makes me so happy!
Ofelia says
I love flan but i lost my touch on cooking it since i have not made it for years; some recipes call for lid or covering with foil when baking, I noticed you did not mention that so it means your recipe bakes uncovered? I am ready to try it but just need to make sure on this step which i found very important for the creamy flan taste😋Thanks for sharing!
Maggie Unzueta says
Some people add the foil lid. Some people don’t. It’s up to you. If you want a smoother top, add the foil. If not, you can bake without. Enjoy!
Micki Fuller says
Thank you for this recipe!! I absolutely love flan but have never made from scratch. I will be now!!
Scarlet says
I love flan but I have never tried making it before. I think I will have to give your recipe a go!
Karen says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe – Im going to make it for All Hallows treat at the end of our meal for when our friends come to stay!!! Can you tell me – would it freeze or would I be best making it fresh? Many thanks again!! xx
Maggie Unzueta says
Fresh is best. It does not freeze well. However, you can make it the day before.