Flan without condensed milk or crème caramel, an indulgent flourless dessert that simply melts in your mouth. The perfect dessert for any party, these individual pots of heaven are sheer pleasure.
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Crème Brûlée Vs. Crème Caramel
There is some sort of confusion perhaps between the classic crème brûlée and this crème caramel. Although the technique is pretty similar, and the final result no doubt is as delicious, crème caramel or flan is usually baked in a ramekin that has been lined with caramel on the bottom.
Crème brûlée has sugar sprinkled on top, which is then burnt using a cooking blow torch. I think l prefer the crème caramel tough, it looks so pretty when turned upside down, but of course, you can just dig in and eat it straight from the ramekin, without bothering removing it first.
Ingredients needed to make flan
- eggs - at room temperature
- milk - full-fat is best, as it's not as watery
- egg yolk - not a whole egg
- icing sugar
- sugar - I used granulated sugar, but caster is also ok
- cold water
- vinegar
- vanilla extract - or any other extract
Step-by-step photos and instructions
Don't panic thinking it's difficult to make, oh no! Nothing simpler, the basic ingredients are eggs, milk and sugar. You can flavour it with vanilla extract if you wish. To make the custard:
- beat the eggs and egg yolk well until they increase their volume and the colour is pale yellow
- gradually whisk in the warm milk
- add the icing sugar and vanilla extract and mix well to get a smooth mixture
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To make the caramel:
- add the water, sugar and vinegar to a pan set over a low heat
NOTE! The vinegar prevents the sugar from crystalizing, the caramel won't taste like vinegar at all. Alternatively you can use lemon juice.
- leave to simmer for 25-30 minutes until the syrup changes the colour to a light brown
NOTE! I don't recommend stirring the caramel, as it could crystalize on the edges of the pan, and ruin the whole caramel. It is better to leave it to cook undisturbed, but do keep an eye on it, as it can burn quickly when it's ready.
How do I know? Well, let's just say I wanted to test what happens if the heat it too high 🙂 It does burn, and badly, with smoke in the whole kitchen and everything. Not nice at all!
- when the caramel is ready, divide it between the 4 quickly, as it hardens, then divide the custard mixture
- arrange the ramekins on a deep baking tray, half fill with water, then bake at 170 degrees Celsius (340 Fahrenheit) for 40 minutes or until firm to touch and settled.
Expert tips
There is no gelatine in this flan, it settles beautifully once it's baked. Always serve the dessert chilled, the taste is tons better, otherwise warm it might taste eggy, plus the caramel won't have time to soften and top the flan nicely.
It is the lovely caramel flavour that together with the vanilla touch make this dessert one of its kind. Such a silky texture, and no flour used at all.
The flan keeps well in the fridge, it actually tastes even better the next day. Serve it as a special dessert for like Valentine's Day menu, and be sure to impressed your loved one.
If you’ve tried my FLAN WITHOUT CONDENSED MILK or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.
Flan without Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 250 ml full-fat milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 40 g icing sugar
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 25 ml cold water
- ½ teaspoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions
- In a pan, warm up the milk until it gets to the boiling point, then remove from the heat.
- Beat the eggs and egg yolk until they double their volume and get a pale yellow colour, then add them to the milk, whisking well.
- Add the icing sugar and vanilla extract, and mix again to combine, making sure you have a smooth consistency. Set aside.
- To make the caramel, add the granulated sugar, water and vinegar to a pan set over a low heat.
- Leave to simmer undisturbed for 25-30 minutes until the syrup turns into a light brown colour.
- Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C (340 F).
- Divide the caramel between 4 ramekins, making sure the bottom of the ramekins is well covered with an even layer of caramel.
- Use a ladle to divide the egg mixture between the 4 ramekins too, then arrange them on an ovenproof dish.
- Add hot water to the dish, so that the ramekins are half covered in water.
- Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes until the crème caramel is set and firm to touch.
- Leave to cool down to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, ideally overnight.
- Run a sharp knife around the edges, place a small plate on top of the ramekin, then flip it over to release the crème caramel. Alternatively, you can serve it straight from the ramekin.Enjoy!
Notes
- To see the measurements in cups and ounces, please click on the US CUSTOMARY link.
- The amount of ingredients listed can be adjusted depending on the number of servings you need, just click on the number next to SERVINGS.
Nutrition
Leigh says
simple, seemingly very possible to do
Hei says
May I substitute the whole milk with coconut milk? Unfortunately that is the only type of milk I have access to and I currently don't have possessions of any varieties of cream.
Daniela Apostol says
I think it should work, l never tried it though.
ama says
I was wondering what the addition of the 1/2 tsp of vinegar was for? I've never heard of adding vinegar to the sugar/water mixture to make caramel.
Daniela Apostol says
The vinegar will intensify the flavour.
Nader ghattas says
Why you used vinegar when you prepar the caramel? Thank you
Daniela Anderson says
The vinegar (or even lemon juice) is added to avoid the caramel harden too much.
Ellie says
Sounds and looks amazing! I love flan!
Daniela Anderson says
Thank you! It's a very delicious dessert, and easy to make.
Kota says
These pictures look super good, I especially like the flair the rose on top gives it! Can I ask when you say the ramekins should be half covered in water, what temperature would that be, boiling, lukewarm, etc?
Daniela Anderson says
Hi Kota,
Thank you for your comment! I am glad you like it. The water can be lukewarm. We do that to ensure an even temperature in the oven so that the bottom part does not get burnt or stuck to the ramekin, and the caramel can become like a sauce once the flan is cooked. When checking it from time to time, you can top up with more water if needed. I hope this helps.
Kota says
Thanks so much, this will definitely help. 🙂
Mimi says
Your recipe is like my my mother's. The diference is she use to infuse the milk with lemon and cinnamon .a very old spanish recipe. I LIKE your tip about whoe to make the caramel sauce for the flan .Thank you..Is one of my favourite puddings .is so delicate and silky ....and it tastes better. The day after .
Daniela Apostol says
Thank you for your feedback, it's indeed a delicious dessert!
Kathy McDaniel says
What a beautiful presentation! I love flan! Such a delicate and delicious dessert. I think I will have to make this for my sweetie on valentines!
Anne Murphy says
You know, my mother used to make this, too... and I don't know when I last had it! She just called it custard, but had a whole water bath arrangement for it... and yes, always made the caramel.
Thanks for the memory!
Daniela Anderson says
I'm glad l could remind you of old days, these are the best memories!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Oh wow - that looks so perfect! I so want to grab a spoon and reach through the screen for a bite. Or lots of bites... yum!