A traditional Puerto Rican dessert — Flan is the silken baked custard crowned with amber caramel that ends every special Puerto Rican meal. Evaporated and condensed milk give it a density and sweetness that set the island’s version apart. Inverted onto a platter, it is a golden, wobbling showstopper.
Flan Puertorriqueño
A traditional Puerto Rican dessert — Flan is the silken baked custard crowned with amber caramel that ends every special Puerto Rican meal.

Step by stepInstructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt the sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, swirling, until it turns a deep amber; pour it immediately into a flan mold or 9-inch round baking dish, tilting to coat the bottom.
- In a blender, combine the eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt, and blend until smooth.
- Pour the custard over the caramel, cover the mold tightly with foil, and set it in a deep roasting pan. Fill the pan with hot water halfway up the mold's sides.
- Bake 60 to 70 minutes, until the center is just set with a slight jiggle. Cool, then refrigerate at least 4 hours.
- Run a thin knife around the edge, invert onto a rimmed platter, and let the caramel cascade over the custard.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Do not let the caramel go past deep amber or it will taste burnt and bitter. The water bath is what gives flan its silky, crack-free texture.

Join the conversation
Only members can comment — it takes a few seconds to create a free account.
Log in Create an account