Flan has been a staple dessert in the Latino community for, like, forever. While its origins are still up for debate, with people saying it originated in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and even Spain, there's no denying that it is beloved by many and in many different countries. Flan is often a part of major celebrations from birthdays to holidays and it's often found on the menu of Latino restaurants everywhere.
While it might be intimidating to try to make it at home and it may take a few tries before getting it totally right, it is a dish that every flan-loving Latina should try to master. There's nothing like making our loved ones smile when we prepare a dish we all grew up eating, right? And flan is definitely one of those things that brings you right back to your childhood with just one taste.
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There are many flavor profiles that can be added the traditional recipe. Think flavors like passion fruit, chocolate, and strawberries, to name just a few. There are also various ways to prepare flan, with some people using the usual oven method and others relying solely on water baths. Some have even started adjusting the recipes for those with dietary restrictions, and there's even a dairy-free flan recipe! Start practicing now and you'll be a pro in no time at all. Scroll through to take a look at some delicious flan recipes that you need to try.
Everyone should master how to make the traditional Spanish flan.
In Spain, it's almost considered a culinary crime to add any special flavors or ingredients to the classic creamy flan recipe the country is known for far and wide. Try this recipe featured in The New York Times.
This tres leches flan will make you fall in love.
This Mexican recipe is thicker and denser than the average Spanish flan. It's called tres leches because the recipe includes three different types of milk, including condensed milk, evaporated milk, and regular milk. And it is tasty. Find the full recipe at We Are Cocina.
This coconut cake flan is perfect for any occasion.
Coconut is a flavor that many Latinos just can't get enough of — and for good reason! This cake will get you invited back to any gathering, for sure. Find the recipe at All Recipes.
This recipe is perfect for people who love both cheesecake and flan.
Add a little bit of cream cheese to the traditional recipe and you have a brand new dessert. You really get the best of both worlds with this treat. Find the recipe at Home Cooking Adventure.
If you're dairy-free by choice or for health reasons, there's a flan recipe for you.
Just because your belly doesn't agree with dairy it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself from the tastiness that flan provides. Try this almond flan made with almond milk, and you'll be happy you did. Find the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.
Replace the traditional vanilla flavor with fresh strawberries.
Add a splash of freshness and sweetness to your flan by blending in strawberries to the mix instead of vanilla. It'll add a hint of color and tons of delicious flavor. Find the recipe at Spain Recipes.
For those of you who are on a health kick, try this low-fat flan recipe.
If you are trying to cut down on sugar and fat, have no fear, there is a low-fat, low-sugar recipe out there for you that is definitely not low on flavor or satisfaction. Find this recipe at MyRecipes.
Passion fruit makes everything better.
Listen, when you add passion fruit to anything, it tastes SO much better. So imagine mixing it into the already beautiful taste of flan? It's special, dare we say passionately special? Find the recipe at Que Rica Vida.
Try this Brazilian caramel flan recipe.
This Brazilian flan made in the blender is quick to make and only requires five ingredients! Your family and loved ones will lick the plate clean once they taste this. Find the recipe at Olivia Cuisine.
There's a flan recipe for our caffeine lovers, too.
Do you love coffee? Do you love dessert? Well you can have two in one with this coffee flan recipe. You'll get that creamy, silky texture you love with that coffee taste you enjoy. Try this recipe from Epicurious.
Take things to the next level with this banana-nut crème caramel flan.
Bananas add a delicious amount of sweetness to any dessert. Add it to the traditional flan and you'll have yourself a flan that is so good it's bananas! Find the full recipe at My Recipes.
Blueberries don't get enough love.
This blueberry flan recipe will get you hooked on blueberries. Not only is the fruit packed with antioxidants, but it will also add a splash of color to the flan that everyone will love. Find the recipe at Mamá Latina Tips.
Add a splash of citrus for this beautiful orange flan.
It's like a morir soñando in flan form. You can use real oranges or orange juice with this recipe and it'll be a hit with the whole family. Find the recipe El Mejor Nido.
Double the caramel, double the fun.
All the best flans have plenty of freshly made caramel. It's what makes the dessert so perfect. But this recipe calls for double the caramel, which means it's twice as nice. Find the recipe at Serious Eats.
This chocoflan is perfect for the chocolate lovers.
Cocoa powder will turn a classic flan into a chocolate lover's dream come true. It's so decadent and luxurious you'll feel like you could serve it at the finest restaurant and charge a fortune for it. Find the recipe at Food Network.