Flan is one of the most beloved desserts across Latin America and Spain. Did you know its origins go all the way back to Ancient Rome, where they first made savory egg custards? Over centuries, it evolved into the creamy, caramel-topped dessert we love today.
Modern twists like cream cheese flan or chocolate flan make this classic even more indulgent. Cream cheese adds a cheesecake-like richness, while chocolate flan adds a layer of decadent cocoa flavor. Dos postres en uno — or even better, two flavors in one plate! Fun fact: in Mexico, flan is often a symbol of comfort and celebration, appearing at birthdays, weddings, and family gatherings.
Ingredients / Ingredientes
Cream Cheese Flan / Flan con Queso Crema
- 1 cup sugar / 1 taza de azúcar
- 1/4 cup water / 1/4 taza de agua
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened / 1 paquete de 225g de queso crema, suavizado
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk / 1 lata de leche condensada
- 1 can evaporated milk / 1 lata de leche evaporada
- 4 large eggs / 4 huevos grandes
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract / 1 cucharada de extracto de vainilla
- Pinch of salt / Una pizca de sal
Chocolate Flan / Flan Napolitano con Chocolate
- 1 cup sugar / 1 taza de azúcar
- 1/4 cup water / 1/4 taza de agua
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened / 1 paquete de queso crema
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk / 1 lata de leche condensada
- 1 can evaporated milk / 1 lata de leche evaporada
- 4 large eggs / 4 huevos grandes
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder / 1/3 taza de cacao en polvo
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract / 1 cucharada de vainilla
Instructions / Instrucciones
Caramel / Caramelo
- Melt sugar and water over medium heat until golden. Quickly pour into your flan mold(s) / Derrite azúcar con agua hasta dorar y vierte rápido en los moldes.
Cream Cheese Flan / Flan con Queso Crema
- Blend cream cheese, condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth. / Licúa queso crema, leche condensada, leche evaporada, huevos, vainilla y sal hasta suave.
- Pour over caramel. Bake in water bath at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 mins. Cool, then refrigerate 4+ hours. / Vierte sobre el caramelo. Hornea en baño María 50–60 min. Enfría y refrigera 4+ horas.
Chocolate Flan / Flan Napolitano con Chocolate
- Blend cream cheese, condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, cocoa powder, and vanilla until smooth. / Licúa todos los ingredientes hasta suave.
- Pour over caramel. Bake in water bath at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 mins. Cool, then refrigerate 4+ hours. / Vierte sobre caramelo. Hornea en baño María 50–60 min. Enfría y refrigera 4+ horas.
Serve / Servir
Run a knife around edges, invert onto a plate, and let caramel drizzle down. Garnish with berries or chocolate shavings for Choco Flan. / Pasa un cuchillo por los bordes, invierte sobre un plato y deja caer el caramelo. Decora con frutas o chocolate rallado para el flan de chocolate.
Whether you go classic, cream cheese, or chocolate, flan is more than dessert — it’s history, tradition, and a little piece of love on a plate. 💛✨ Dos mundos, un postre — bring family and friends together with this sweet indulgence!
