Flan de Cafe

Flan de Cafe

Susan, AKA Kiwicook

In her days as a recipe developer, Susan has created over 450 recipes. Her Dutch and New Zealander roots serve as a basis for her culinary inspiration.

Updated

A traditional Spanish dessert with a twist. This dense, yet not overly sweet flan, combines the robust flavors of coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and a splash of Kahlua, topped off with a smooth caramel layer. Pairs wonderfully with whipped cream and tropical fruits.
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* This post featured on ‘Freshly Pressed’ September 2014

I was intrigued when I recently saw contestants in the Australian production of ‘My Kitchen Rules’ make someting called a Flan de Café. I searched online and discovered that it’s a traditional Spanish/South American recipe made with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and coffee.

It  looks very much like the crème caramel we’re more familiar with but, due to the type of milks used, has a very different texture. While a crème caramel, which is made with standard milk or cream, is light and silky, this flan is quite a bit denser (as you can see from my photos) and is sliced very easily because of it. It’s also, surprisingly, not overly sweet and goes together particularly well with whipped cream and sweet tropical fruits such as banana or mango.

Thanks to Meals.com for the easy to follow recipe. I adapted it only slightly, adding in some Kahlua (well, why wouldn’t you?!) and a little vanilla essence to round out the flavours just a bit more. If you’re wanting to impress your guests with a fairly spectacular looking dessert, but put very little effort into it, this one’s for you! Enjoy!!

Flan de Cafe 2
Flan de Cafe

FLAN DE CAFÉ

A traditional Spanish dessert with a twist. This dense, yet not overly sweet flan, combines the robust flavors of coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and a splash of Kahlua, topped off with a smooth caramel layer. Pairs wonderfully with whipped cream and tropical fruits.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 355 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 14 oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 5 large eggs
  • 12 fl oz Evaporated Milk
  • 1 to 2 tbsp Instant Coffee Granules
  • 20 ml Kahlua optional
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla essence
  • Whipped cream and fresh fruit to serve

Instructions
 

For the caramel:

  • Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F).
  • Place the sugar into a medium sized heavy-based saucepan or skillet (fry pan) over medium heat. As the sugar begins to melt, use a heatproof rubber spatula or a metal spoon to drag it towards the centre of the pan. Continue to do this until all the sugar has melted and begun to colour. Keep cooking, swirling the pan to prevent burning, until the sugar turns a golden reddish-brown and just begins to smoke (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Quickly pour onto bottom of 9-inch deep pie dish; swirl around bottom and side to coat. Put aside for the caramel to set.

For the flan:

  • Place the sweetened condensed milk, eggs, evaporated milk, coffee granules, Kahlua (if using) and vanilla essence in blender. Cover and blend until smooth.
  • Pour into prepared dish; cover with foil. Place dish in large roasting pan; fill roasting pan with water to about 1-inch depth.
  • Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until there is a slight jiggle in the middle of the flan (don’t wait until it is set firm, or the result will be rubbery). Remove flan from water and cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
  • To serve, run a small spatula around edge of pan. Invert serving plate over dish. Turn over; shake gently to release. NB: You will find that some of the caramel will remain hardened in the bottom of your dish – you can simply microwave it on high for 10-20 seconds to melt it and pour it back over top of the flan. Serve topped with whipped cream and fruit.

Nutrition

Calories 355kcal (18%)Carbohydrates 60g (20%)Protein 10g (20%)Fat 8g (12%)Saturated Fat 4g (25%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0.01gCholesterol 121mg (40%)Sodium 136mg (6%)Potassium 195mg (6%)Sugar 59g (66%)Vitamin A 379IU (8%)Vitamin C 1mg (1%)Calcium 256mg (26%)Iron 1mg (6%)
Keyword Flan, Flan de cafe
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!
About the author
Susan, also known as the Kiwi Cook, hails from Levin, New Zealand, and has a unique Kiwi-Dutch-British heritage that influenced her culinary upbringing. As an artist, tutor, writer, and editor, Susan dedicates her weekends to creating delectable dishes. Her food philosophy embraces moderation and listening to her body's needs.

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76 responses
  1. Avatar
    Thalia @ butter and brioche

    This flan looks incredibly delicious! I love creme caramel and this looks very similar.. I bet the espresso flavour really takes the flavour to another level. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thanks Thalia – much appreciated. Yeah, it is a little like creme caramel but has a different texture – much firmer. Yummy though!

  2. Avatar
    Joe Garofalo

    Thanks for posting the recipe! Everyone must be-loved by this. Looks so delicious and sweet.

  3. Avatar
    Colette Broomhead

    What a fantastic picture! It really drew me in (and I’m not normally a sweet tooth). Think I’ll have to give this one a try..

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thanks Colette – much appreciated!

  4. Avatar
    suniing

    Reblogged this on The things I do and commented:
    This dessert sounds really good. I had it on e, I think. I’ll try it out after I grab the ingredients I need. ??

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Great – hope you enjoy it!

  5. Avatar
    tittiedeville

    I forget how dense flan can be sometimes. when my mind sees the dish, I think cremey pumpkin pie texture and then it’s quite firm and almost slimey depending on the temperature. But yes very tastey.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Hiya. Yes, the texture is different – very smooth and firm.

  6. Avatar
    mgonzaleztardy

    You can also make Nutella Flan!!!!! Just add like half a jar of nutella to the same recipe and just a little less condense milk 🙂

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Ooh yum! Sounds divine! Thanks for sharing!

  7. Avatar
    g2kaffeeklatsch

    In the Philippines, we call it “leche flan”. No coffee though but same texture as in the photos. 🙂

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Yes, I imagine different cultures have similar versions. Thanks for sharing.

  8. Avatar
    alissamarinavalley11

    Oh my god this looks perfekt and so yummy!! 🙂 http://www.alissaloves.wordpress.com

  9. Avatar
    msroosipuu

    Ohhhhh!!! That looks so good!

  10. Avatar
    Lyla Michaels

    Reblogged this on Conversations I Wish I Had and commented:
    Yum. Wonder if it could be possible to do an eggless version…

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Hi Lyla. The custard sets because of the eggs, so if you wanted an eggless version, I imagine you’d probably need to add gelatine which would make it more similar to a panna cotta. That’s my guess anyway!

      1. Avatar
        Lyla Michaels

        Thank you. That’s a really good suggestion.

        1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

          You’re most welcome! Hope it works!

  11. Avatar
    ysvet

    Susan, I love your flan, coming from South America I am fan flan hahaha, I love the picture, I almost drooling! 😉 I will try your recipe.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thanks so much Ysvet – great to hear from you. Hope you enjoy it!!

  12. Avatar
    mannythebookwriter

    That looks good I might have to make me some

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Cool – hope it goes well!

      1. Avatar
        mannythebookwriter

        I hope so too

  13. Avatar
    captaindaquaan

    It looks fantastic ! 🙂

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thank you! Really appreciate it.

  14. Avatar
    rikayin

    Nice blog!! have a look on my blog for the perfect wine for this 😉 http://www.plastikflair.com

  15. Avatar
    katarinasenjic

    looks amazing!

  16. Avatar
    Stuart M. Perkins

    My mouth is watering. Seriously.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Haha.. just what I love to hear most!

  17. Avatar
    saraselene2014

    Hi! Your recipe is delicious! Can you like my page? Thanks! 😉

  18. Avatar
    theboltonskydiaries

    Looks delicious! I really want to try this out

  19. Avatar
    SL

    Looks delish!

  20. Avatar
    winterangela

    I’m gonna have to give my sister this recipe. She loves flan. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Great! I hope she enjoys!

  21. Avatar
    nagnathw

    Yummmy

  22. Avatar
    foodaholicgirl1

    I absolutely love this recipe as it is very easy, involves less ingredients and sounds so delicious. It has been included in my must try list from now on. I’ll sure try it sometime.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      I’m so pleased to hear that – hope you enjoy!

  23. Avatar
    seeker

    Reminded me of Leche Flan. Coffee flavour, yum. Reading the recipe elevate my sugar level.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Yes, it would be very similar. Yes, I’m sure reading recipes can do that!!

  24. Avatar
    Tonicsolutions

    Looks delicious will definitely give it a try….thanks for the recipe !

  25. Avatar
    indiraadams2014

    That looks amazing! I will defiantly have to whip it up sometime!

  26. Avatar
    gbon90

    I actually made a flan not to long ago and I’ve got to say, your flan just put mine to shame. This looks incredibly beautiful and delicious; can’t wait to try it out!

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Aw, I bet you’re being a bit hard on yourself! At the end of the day, it all tastes good anyway! Thanks so much for your kind words.

  27. Avatar
    eunicesanmig

    Ohhhh we call this leche (milk) flan here in the Philippines! 🙂 I grew up eating this because it was my grandmother’s specialty. How I miss her and her leche flan!

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Gosh, so the leche flan is actually a specialty in several places around the world obviously. Perhaps you can become the family flan maker now!

      1. Avatar
        eunicesanmig

        I think it is. It’s quite a common Filipino dessert here. We also put it on top of shaved ice, banana, milk, tapioca balls and ice cream. Try it! 🙂 My husband copied my grandmother’s recipe but we couldn’t get the the texture right. Try and try I guess!

        1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

          Sounds amazing – tapioca balls and ice cream – yum! Agree – practice makes perfect!

  28. Avatar
    Leslie Newlin

    This looks amazing! I love any coffee-flavored dessert. I can’t wait to try this one! Excellent photo, too, by the way. So glad I found your blog, I lost having new recipes to try!

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thanks so much Leslie. Lovely to have you here. And yes isn’t coffee flavored just the best?!

  29. Avatar
    fitalittlebit

    I love this

  30. Avatar
    Afie

    Thanks for sharing! I was looking for a good recipe and this is one of the best ones so far.

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Thanks and you’re most welcome!

  31. Avatar
    Beauty Along the Road

    Copied and placed in my “recipe” folder! Looks delicicious.

  32. Avatar
    thefrankiefisher

    Hey it’s a leche flan! :> I love these sweet caramelized treats~

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Aren’t they divine?! I love caramelized anything!

      1. Avatar
        thefrankiefisher

        They always take my breath away! ♡

  33. Avatar
    Sophia

    Wow! Looks perfect! I love flan! 🙂 ~Sophia

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook
  34. Avatar
    hingedthinker

    I love flan. Yumm.

  35. Avatar
    icookandcode

    Thank you for this delicious recipe! We hope to serve it in our cafe in the future 🙂 If that’s okay with you?

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Great idea! The original recipe came from Nestle on Meals.com. The link is here if you want to ask them directly. All the best.

  36. Avatar
    Manny's Gallery

    Reblogged this on Manny Torres Gallery and commented:
    Mmm! good. I need to try this with the coffee. Thanks for sharing.

  37. Avatar
    circadianreflections

    The DOF, and composition looks amazing! I want a spoonful just to taste! I love Fla. I’m going to have to bookmark this and make it! I only hope the rest of the family likes it too or I’m sure I’d end up eating the whole thing! 🙂

    1. Susan, AKA Kiwicook

      Hey thanks for that – much appreciated. I hope you do make it and if you have to eat it all yourself.. oh well, worse things could happen!