It looks impressive, but it’s easy to pull off.

In Paraguay, where we lived, flan is sold ready-to-eat next to the yogurt.

It’s alsopackaged like yogurt, with the caramel on the bottom and the jiggly custard on top.

Slice of flan lifted from a plate with the rest, at a table with a stack of plates and utensils

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

I could eat half a dozen cups at once if my mom would let me.

It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve had this flan.

Make it a day or two ahead, and unmold it in front of your family and friends.

A wedge of flan on a plate

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

I promise everyones going to be impressed.

Ive made flan for New Years Eve for many years and someone always asks me for the recipe.

If you run into trouble or have questions, leave me a comment below!

Plate of flan at a table setting with a serving on a plate and a stack of plates with utensils

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

What Is Flan?

Flan is a sweet custard topped with a caramel sauce.

My recipe only calls for heavy cream, for a creamier custard that doesnt taste too milky.

Sugar syrup turning into caramel in a pot for flan recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

The caramel sauce is just melted sugarI add a little water to help dissolve the sugar before cooking it.

The flan is slowly baked in a water bath to prevent it from curdling.

Then it chills in the fridgeflan should be served colduntil fully set.

melted caramel in a cake pan for flan recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

You’ll get a mirror-glazed caramel top that’s hard not to be impressed by.

If crystals start to form in the caramel, it’s best to start over.

There’s no way to fix this.

flan custard mixture whisked together in the Pyrex measuring cup for flan recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

In the meantime, have an 8x2-inch round cake pan and a kitchen towel ready.

Simple Tip!

Hold on to the sides with a kitchen towelthere is nothing more painful than molten sugar.

Pouring flan mixture through a sieve

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Set the pan aside.

Whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt.

Pour the custard through afine mesh strainerover the caramel in the pan.

Flan ready to bake, sitting in a roasting pan with hot water being added

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Tightly cover the pan with plastic wrap, making sure it doesnt touch the top of the flan.

Chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Flip a large, deep plate upside down on top of the cake pan.

Baked flan in a round cake pan, running a palette knife around the edge for flan recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

In one swift movement, invert the cake pan and plate.

Gently lift the cake pan and marvel at your work of art.

Its okay if some caramel is still stuck to the cake pan.

Flan on a plate topped with the caramel

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Soak it in water for a few minutes, and itll melt off.

Keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days, tightly covered.

Leave us stars and a comment below!

Slice of flan on a plate with a spoon, and in the background, another serving on a small plate and an indoor plant

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe