Chilean flan, known as “flan Casero” or simply “flan,” is a beloved dessert in Chile and many other Latin American countries. It is a creamy and smooth caramel custard dessert that is simple but incredibly satisfying.
It brings so many happy memories from my aunt’s place, where fruits were never an acceptable dessert… (old times).
What I love about this dessert is that I usually have all the ingredients at home (milk, eggs, dulce de leche, and sugar), so if I have guests for dinner, I can do it in the morning, and it’ll be perfectly cold at night. Ready to be enjoyed!
Dulce de Leche cans are available in Walmart (Latin foods aisle), Safeway supermarkets, and most Latino grocery stores. The cans are made in Chile. Argentinian dulce de leche has a different flavor but can also be used in this recipe.
Chilean desserts are known for their sweetness and indulgent flavors, and they play an essential role in Chilean cuisine and culture. Each region of Chile may have its unique twist on these classic desserts, showcasing the country’s diverse culinary heritage.
In the central regions of Chile, during summer, when the fruit is abundant and delicious, many everyday meals end with Fruta Picada, an effortless all-fresh Fruit Salad. In winter, most Chilean desserts transition to milk-based: Arroz con leche, leche asada, flan, leche Nevada, Sémola con leche, and Manjarate in later years are popular and enjoyed.
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Easy Dulce de Leche Flan
A fantastic dessert.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8
Ingredients
- 1 can of Dulce de Leche (380 grams), I used La Lechera
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups of milk
For the caramel sauce,
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Choose a glass or metal pan that can go in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C.
- Prepare the caramel sauce in a small saucepan, put in sugar and water. Cook over medium-high heat until it begins to boil. Lower the heat slightly and boil without stirring until it changes color and looks the color of tea.
- Meanwhile, place all remaining ingredients: Dulce de Leche, eggs, and milk in the blender. Blend until it is all mixed.
- When the caramel sauce is ready, carefully cover the walls of the pan.
- Blend the eggs, milk, and Dulce de Leche mixture and pour over the caramel.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until is set. Let cool completely, then refrigerate.
- To take out of the pan, place the pan on hot water for 5 minutes.
- Refrigerate until serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Chilean
Hello, I made this yesterday for a Chilean friend of mine who loves flan and is recovering from surgery. My flan tasted quite good, but I could not get the caramel coating to solidify. It was liquid in the end. Also, without using brown sugar it never turned the color of tea. Was I cooking it at too low a temperature?
Yes, to make the caramel, you need to cook it longer or over more heat. The sugar needs to change color.
So nice of you to make this for a friend.
Happy to found your blog!☺️ I’m just planning a dinner party with my Australian friend here down under and I think this is the perfect dessert for the night. What says more than Chile that a Manjar dessert. My hubby says if it doesn’t have Manjar is not Chilean. Greetings from Australia.
Hi, Tammy
Hope you enjoy the dessert with your family and friends.
Fruit is definitely not an acceptable dessert in my house haha! I always plan dessert for dinner parties before even thinking about the main course. This flan reminds me so much of my family in Panama, they love this! I can’t wait to try it at home 🙂
Awesome! And yes in my house we eat fruit everyday 🙂
Friendly people, just like in Chile!
Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for all the great recipes!!!! My mom is from chile and I used to go there as a child every summer. You bring back many memories!
I wonder how you like texas? Strange question, sorry! But I am thinking of moving there with my mom, husband and kids.
Mil gracias!
Margarita
Hola Margarita,
I’m happy to tell you I love Texas. I live in Houston and it’s so diverse, great restaurants and the people is very friendly.