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Coconut Flan

A tropical twist on traditional flan with rich coconut flavor, silky smooth texture, and a luscious caramel sauce that forms as it bakes.

90 minMediumServes 8320 cal/serving

Latin AmericanDessertStovetop and OvenVegetarianGluten-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
  • 1/4 cup water (for caramel)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 13.5 oz coconut milk, full-fat, canned
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp coconut extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut (for garnish), toasted

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

  2. 2

    In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel) and 1/4 cup water (for caramel). Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a deep amber color, about 8-10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Immediately pour the hot caramel into an 8-inch round cake pan or a 2-quart baking dish, tilting to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside to cool and harden.

  4. 4

    In a large bowl, whisk together 4 room temperature large eggs and 2 room temperature large egg yolks until well combined.

  5. 5

    Add 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 13.5 oz full-fat, canned coconut milk, 1 cup whole milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp coconut extract, and 1/4 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

  6. 6

    Pour the custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve over the hardened caramel in the cake pan.

  7. 7

    Place the cake pan in a larger roasting pan and add hot water to the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cake pan (water bath/bain-marie).

  8. 8

    Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly.

  9. 9

    Remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature.

  10. 10

    Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.

  11. 11

    To serve, run a knife around the edge of the flan and invert onto a rimmed serving plate. The caramel will flow over the flan as a sauce.

  12. 12

    Garnish with 1/4 cup toasted shredded coconut (for garnish) before serving.

Questions

Can I make Coconut Flan dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup whole milk. Swap the sweetened condensed milk for a plant-based version of the same product; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Coconut Flan ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Coconut Flan?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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