This French Crème Caramel, also known as Flan dessert, is irresistible!
I LOVE how comforting and easy Crème Caramel is! And I love the taste of the smooth, creamy custard and the rich, caramel sauce together. YUM!
French Crème Caramel Recipe (Flan)
I usually prepare Crème Caramel for special occasions, but honestly, I also whip it up just because I love that creamy, caramel goodness.
This French dessert is super delicious and requires minimal effort.
I made this Flan recipe with a caramel layer on top of a creamy pudding, SO EASY.
You'll Need
Here is an overview of all the ingredients I used. The measurements are on the recipe card.
For the caramel syrup or sugar syrup: I used granulated sugar, water and fresh lemon juice.
For the pudding, I used:
- Heavy cream: Do not use a low-fat cream as it will not give the proper texture to your dessert.
- Milk: I use whole milk for a rich, creamy texture.
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Salt: Just pinch of salt.
That’s it?
How To Make French Crème Caramel (Flan)?
Make the caramel syrup
One: Preheat the water in a small saucepan and add sugar to it. Stir the mixture until the sugar turns brown.
Tip: Make sure the color of caramel syrup is neither too dark nor too light.
Two: Then add lemon juice to it and keep stirring the mixture. It is suggested to turn off the heat when you notice that the mixture starts to bubble.
Three: Then spill the caramel sauce into the baking dish or ramekins. Tilt the dish so that the caramel fills the sides of the ramekins or the baking dish.
Make the pudding/custard
Four: Preheat the oven to 160 C / 330 F.
Five: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and salt together in a mixing dish. Add the sugar to the mixture and keep whisking until it combined (I recommend to strain the mixture through a fine sieve).
Tip: You can also mix all the ingredients with a blender or an electric whisk to get a smooth consistency.
Six: In a saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium-low heat (DON'T LET IT BOIL).
Seven: Pour the hot milk slowly over the egg mixture and stir until combined.
Eight: Pour the mixture over the caramel into the baking dish and bake for 40 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for half an hour, then chill in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours.
Nine: Run a sharp knife around the sides of the dish and place a serving dish on the top of it. Then hold both well, and then flip it upside down.
Recipe FAQs
There is no difference, both are two different names for the same recipe. In some regions, it is called flan, while in others, it’s called crème caramel.
Don’t overcook Flan as it makes it eggy. Vanilla essence can also reduce the odor of eggs significantly.
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Recipe Card
French Crème Caramel Recipe (Flan)
Equipment
Ingredients
The Pudding
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh whole milk
- ⅔ sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
The Caramel
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Caramel syrup
- Preheat the water in a saucepan and add sugar to it. Stir the mixture until the sugar turns brown.¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Then add lemon juice to it and keep stirring the mixture. It is suggested to turn off the heat when you notice that the mixture starts to bubble.
- Spill the caramel sauce into the crème caramel baking dish or ramekins. Tilt the dish so that the caramel fills the rim.
The pudding
- Preheat the oven to 160 C / 330F.
- Whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and salt together in a mixing dish. Add the sugar to the mixture and keep whisking until it attains homogeneity and consistency.4 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt, ⅔ sugar
- In a saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat (don't let it boil).2 cups fresh whole milk, ⅔ cup heavy cream
- Pour the milk over the egg mixture and stir until homogenized. Pour the mixture over the caramel into the baking dish and bake for 40 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for half an hour, then chill in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours.
- Run a sharp knife around the sides of the dish and place a serving dish on the top of it. Then hold both well, and then flip it upside down.
Naomy says
I made this exact recipe in summer almost every day! The best summer dessert.
Angelina says
I added a few drops of rose water to the syrup, and I made it in small ramekins instead of a big baking dish. It was wonderful!
carol says
My youngest son loves it. Thanks for the good recipe.
Malika says
The best dessert ever, so creamy. I made this recipe for my guests yesterday, and they were impressed.
Dana says
This Flan recipe is so good, I made it exactly as in the instructions, and it was perfect, So delicious and refreshing.
Francies says
Crème caramel is such a sweet dessert that all my family adore.