How to Make Creamy and Delicious Leche Flan at Home

Leche flan is a classic Filipino dessert that everybody loves. It is a smooth and creamy dessert that is usually served in celebrations and special occasions. If you’re a fan of custard-like desserts, then it’s guaranteed that you will enjoy this dish as well. Making leche flan is quite simple and easy, and it only requires a few ingredients.

The most essential ingredient in making leche flan is eggs. You need at least six eggs to make a decent amount of leche flan. Other ingredients include condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and water. You will also need ramekins or small molds to shape the leche flan. If you have these ingredients and tools on hand, then you’re ready to make this delicious dessert.

Ingredients for Making Leche Flan

When it comes to making a delicious leche flan that everyone would surely love, it is important to gather all the right ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients needed in making a classic homemade leche flan:

Eggs

Fresh eggs are a crucial component when making leche flan. Most recipes call for whole eggs, but using only egg yolks can give the flan a richer and more velvety texture.

Condensed milk

The key to achieving a creamy and smooth texture in the leche flan is the use of condensed milk.

Evaporated milk

Adding evaporated milk to the recipe will help balance the sweetness of the condensed milk.

White sugar

White sugar is the sweetener used in making the caramel topping of the leche flan. It adds a slight bittersweet taste that complements the sweetness of the flan.

Water

Water is needed to make the caramel topping for the leche flan. It helps dissolve the sugar and caramelizes it when heated.

Vanilla extract

Adding vanilla extract to the mixture gives the leche flan a delightful flavor and aroma.

Whole milk

Although whole milk is not used in all recipes, it can be added to make the flan more creamy and richer in texture.

Lemon juice or calamansi juice

Adding lemon juice or calamansi (Philippine lime) juice to the mixture not only enhances the flavor of the flan but also helps prevent it from curdling.

Salt

A pinch of salt is used to enhance the flavor of the leche flan.

Baking pan or llanera

Lastly, a baking pan or a llanera, a traditional oval-shaped aluminum mold used in the Philippines, is needed for cooking and for serving the leche flan.

Now that all the necessary ingredients have been gathered, it’s time to move on to the next step, preparation.

Ingredients for Leche Flan

Leche flan is a delicious dessert that has been enjoyed by generations. It originated in Spain and has become a popular dessert in many countries around the world. It is also known as caramel custard, caramel pudding, or simply, flan. This dessert is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients that are readily available. Here are the ingredients you will need to make leche flan:

1. Eggs
Eggs are a primary ingredient in leche flan. They are responsible for the custard texture of the dessert. You will need about 6 eggs, ideally large or jumbo.

2. Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk is another key ingredient in leche flan. It gives the dessert its creamy texture and rich taste. You will need one can of sweetened condensed milk.

3. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is another dairy product that adds richness to the leche flan. It also gives the dessert a silky texture. One can of evaporated milk is enough.

4. Sugar
Sugar is one of the most essential ingredients in leche flan. It is used to make the caramel sauce that lines the bottom of the baking dish. You will need about a cup of sugar.

5. Water
Water is used to dissolve the sugar when making the caramel sauce. You will need about ½ cup of water.

6. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is used to add flavor to the leche flan. It is optional, but it gives the dessert a delightful taste. You will need about one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

7. Lemon or Calamansi Juice
Lemon or calamansi juice is used to cut the sweetness of the condensed and evaporated milk. It also adds a zesty flavor to the dessert. You will need about two teaspoons of fresh lemon or calamansi juice.

8. Baking Dish
You will need a large baking dish or several small ramekins for baking the leche flan. A 9×13 inch rectangular baking dish or eight 6-ounce ramekins will do.

9. Strainer
A strainer is used to remove any lumps from the mixture and helps make the custard smooth and silky.

10. Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is used to cover the baking dish when steaming the leche flan. It helps prevent water from seeping into the dessert and changing its texture.

Ingredients for Making Leche Flan

Making leche flan is not difficult, and with a little bit of preparation and the right ingredients, you can create a sweet and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Here is a list of ingredients that you’ll need to make a classic leche flan:

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s move on to the next step.

Step-by-Step Process of Preparing the Caramelized Sugar

Caramelized sugar is one of the essential ingredients of leche flan, and it’s important to get it right to achieve that golden brown and sticky consistency. Here is how you can prepare caramelized sugar:

Step 1: In a non-stick pan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water.

Step 2: Set the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Once the mixture starts to boil, do not stir it anymore. Rotate the pan occasionally to distribute the heat evenly.

Step 4: The sugar will gradually caramelize and turn into a deep amber color. This process may take around 10-15 minutes, depending on the heat.

Step 5: Once the desired color is achieved, turn off the heat immediately to prevent the sugar from burning.

Step 6: Pour the caramelized sugar into the llanera or any mold that you are going to use. Make sure to coat the bottom of the mold entirely.

Now that you have created the perfect caramelized sugar, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Step-by-Step Process of Making the Flan Mixture

After making the caramelized sugar, it’s time to prepare the leche flan mixture. Here is how:

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks thoroughly.

Step 2: Add the condensed milk and evaporated milk to the bowl, and mix well.

Step 3: Squeeze in a lemon slice into the mixture to add flavor (optional).

Step 4: Pour the mixture slowly into the mold with caramelized sugar.

Now that the flan mixture is ready, you can now prepare it for cooking.

Step-by-Step Process of Cooking the Leche Flan

Cooking the leche flan is the final step in creating this delicious dessert. Here is how you can cook leche flan:

Step 1: Cover the mold with aluminum foil.

Step 2: Place the mold into a steamer and set it on low heat.

Step 3: Steam the mixture for about 30-40 minutes or until the flan is firm but still has a slightly jiggly consistency.

Step 4: Once the flan is cooked, remove it from the steamer. Let it cool down for a few minutes, and then refrigerate the flan for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 5: To serve, run a knife around the edges of the mold, and then flip it over onto a serving dish.

Now that you have followed all the steps, you can enjoy your homemade delicious leche flan!

Conclusion

In conclusion, leche flan is a classic Filipino dessert that you can make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Creating the perfect caramelized sugar is the key to achieving the right consistency for this dessert. With a little bit of patience and careful attention, anyone can make it. Follow the step-by-step process, and you’re on your way to creating the perfect leche flan that’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

Wrap it Up!

That’s it for our leche flan recipe, I hope you had a great time making it! Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t get it perfectly on your first try. Practice makes perfect! Thank you so much for reading through this article. I promise there’s more for you to explore here. So, come and visit again! Don’t forget to let us know in the comments how your leche flan turned out and if you made any modifications to the recipe. We love to hear from you!