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Delicious Creamy Whole Egg Flan De Leche Recipe

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This velvety, caramel-infused dessert is the perfect balance between whole eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, pure vanilla extract, and caramelized sugar.

Whole Egg Flan De Leche is a classic dessert that is known for it’s smooth texture and caramelized top.

Closeup of a clear glass round serving plate with a large round egg custard on it. There is caramelized sugar (light brown liquid) poured over the entire top of the flan and on the plate. There is a cream fringed cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating this delectable dessert, so gather up the simple ingredients and get ready to indulge in an irresistible sweet treat!

Ingredients For Whole Egg Leche Flan

There is a large white bowl with eight brown eggs in it. There are two medium size white bowls filled with cream colored milk. There is a small clear bowl with white sugar in it. There is are 2 smaller clear bowls. One has white salt in it, the other has dark brown vanilla extract in it. Bowls are on a white marbled surface.

What You Will Need

Eggs– the main ingredient and what gives it a velvety smooth texture.

Condensed milk– brings creaminess and a sweet milky taste.


Evaporated milk– a highly concentrated, shelf-stable milk. 

Salt –  helps to enhance the flavor of the custard. It can also help to prevent the eggs from curdling.

Vanilla extract – always adds a wonderful flavor to any baked goods.

Sugar – caramelized to the right amount of sweetness. (see FAQ’s)

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Round heavy metal cake pan or a large size llanera or ramekins
  • Large baking pan
  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Whisk 
  • Kitchen knife
  • Rubber spatula
  • Tongs
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven mitts
  • Plastic wrap

Fun Fact

Flan De Leche has a rich history that spans across many cultures.

Originating in Spain, it has become a beloved classic dish in Latin America, the Caribbean and a favorite Filipino dessert.

Step-By-Step Leche Flan Recipe

There is a small white plate with a wedge shaped piece of flan on it. There is caramelized sugar (light brown liquid) poured over the piece of flan with a pool of caramelized sugar on the plate. There is a fork with a small piece of the flan resting on the plate. There is part of a cream fringed cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

1. Creating Caramelized Sugar

There is a round aluminum pan with melting white sugar that is slightly turning light brown. The pan is on a gray glass surface.
There is a round aluminum pan with melting white sugar that is turning light brown. There is a gray rubber spatula resting in the pan. The pan is on a gray glass surface.
  • Pour the sugar into pan.
  • Place the pan over medium low heat.
  • Cook until the melted sugar takes on a golden brown hue.
  • It can easily burn so keep a close eye on it. The pan will be very hot, so make sure to use oven mitts and tongs while holding it.
There is a round aluminum pan with a light brown liquid in the bottom of it. The pan is on a gray glass surface.
There is a round aluminum pan with a light brown liquid in the bottom of it. Pan is on a white marbled surface.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and swirl the pan so that the bottom and sides of the pan are lightly covered with the caramel.
  • The caramel is very hot so use caution!
  • Set aside.

2. Preparing The Custard Mixture

There is a large clear mixing bowl with four broken raw eggs in it. There is a white bowl with four brown eggs in their shells next to the clear mixing bowl. There is a small clear bowl in front with egg shells in it. There is a white cloth towel laying in front of the bowls. Items are on a white marbled surface.
There is a large glass mixing bowl with lightly beaten eggs in it. There is a metal fork resting in the bowl. There is a white cloth towel laying in front of the bowl. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • In a mixing bowl, crack the whole eggs.
  • Mix them until they are well beaten.
There is a large clear glass mixing bowl with mixed eggs, milk, and vanilla in it. There is a metal whisk resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a white marbled surface.
There is a mesh strainer with a liquid egg mixture in it.
  • Combine sugar, salt, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract to the eggs, whisking continuously, creating a smooth texture.
  • Strain the flan mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. (see Top Tip)

3. Baking The Flan

There is a round aluminum pan with an unbaked egg custard mixture in it. The aluminum pan is sitting in a larger dark gray round oven safe pan. There is a clear glass measuring cup sitting next to the pans. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Gently pour the flan mixture into the caramel-coated pan.
  • Place the flan pan into a larger baking dish.
  • Pour enough hot water into the larger pan so that it comes about halfway up the sides of the flan pan, creating a water bath.
  • Carefully transfer the large baking dish to the preheated oven and bake until the flan is set.
  • To check if it’s ready, perform the toothpick test or use a knife. If it comes out clean, the flan is done.
  • Once cooked, use oven mitts and remove the flan pan from the water bath and let it completely cool to room temperature.
  • Loosely cover the flan with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or for best results, overnight to allow to fully set.

4. Serving The Flan

There is a round aluminum pan with a baked egg custard in it. There is a knife resting on the top rim of the pan. There is a white cloth towel laying next to the pan. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • To unmold the flan, carefully run a knife around the inside edges of the mold to loosen the flan from the sides. 
  • Place a serving plate over the mold. Hold them tightly together and quickly invert them.
  • Slowly lift the flan mold. The flan will gently drop onto the plate, flowing the caramel topping into a pool around the flan creating beautiful Flan De Leche.
There is a clear glass round serving plate with a large egg custard flan on it with a wedge of the flan cut out. There is caramelized sugar (light brown liquid) poured over the entire top of the flan and on the plate. There is a cream fringed cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Serve chilled.

See recipe card below for complete measurements, details, and total time.

Top Tip

If your custard mixture has somehow formed way too many air bubbles, a simple hack is to sieve it twice before pouring it into the pan.

In addition, you can use a spoon to scrap off any pesky stray bubbles before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Different Ways To Caramelize Sugar?

When it comes to caramelization, the two most popular methods used is the dry method (which I prefer) and the wet method. 

 A dry caramel is when the sugar is cooked by itself until it liquefies, then caramelizes. 

A wet caramel is when water is added to the sugar and cooked until it caramelizes. 

Can You Caramelize Sugar In The Microwave?

Yes, you can! I recommend to use this process only for small batches. How To Make Caramel Sauce In The Microwave

What Is The Difference Between Filipino Flan And Spanish Flan?

Although they are very similar, the popular Filipino dessert uses more egg yolks and is usually steamed on a stovetop.

Mexican/Spanish Flan is made with whole eggs and cooked in a water bath.

Delicious Creamy Whole Egg Flan De Leche 

There is a small white plate with a wedge shaped piece of flan on it. There is caramelized sugar (light brown liquid) poured over the piece of flan with a pool of caramelized sugar on the plate. There is part of a cream fringed cloth napkin laying next to the plate with a fork on it. Items are on a white marbled surface.

 Looking for more great sweet treats? Check these delicious desserts from Join Me In The Kitchen!

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Delicious Creamy Whole Egg Flan De Leche Recipe

Closeup of a clear glass round serving plate with a large round egg custard on it. There is caramelized sugar (light brown liquid) poured over the entire top of the flan and on the plate. There is a cream fringed cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white marbled surface.

This velvety, caramel-infused dessert is the perfect balance between whole eggs, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, pure vanilla extract, and caramelized sugar.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the caramel sauce
  • 1 Cup sugar - granulated white
  • For the custard
  • 8 Large eggs - at room temperature
  • 1 Can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
  • 1 Can condensed milk (14 ounces)
  • 1 Teaspoon sea salt
  • 1.5 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Step 1 - Creating Caramelized Sugar - Pour the sugar into pan. Place the pan over medium low heat.
  2. Once the sugar begins to melt, start moving it constantly, until the melted sugar takes on a golden brown hue, 4 to 8 minutes. It can easily burn so keep a close eye on it. The pan will be very hot, so make sure to use oven mitts and tongs while holding it.
  3. Use oven mitts or tongs and remove the pan from the heat and swirl the pan so that the bottom and sides of the pan are lightly covered with the caramel. The caramel is very hot so use caution. If using ramekins, immediately and carefully divide the caramel among the ramekins.
  4. Set the pan or ramekins aside.
  5. Step 2 - Preparing The Custard Mixture - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  6. In a mixing bowl, crack the whole eggs and mix them until they are well beaten.
  7. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, salt, and vanilla extract to the beaten eggs, whisking continuously, creating a smooth uniform mixture.
  8. Strain the flan mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps and ensure a creamy whole eggs leche flan. (see Top Tip)
  9. Step 3 - Baking The Flan - Gently pour the flan mixture into the caramel-coated pan, being cautious not to disturb the caramel layer.
  10. Place the flan pan into a larger baking dish / roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the larger pan so that it comes about halfway up the sides of the flan pan, creating a water bath. This helps the flan cook evenly.
  11. Carefully transfer the large baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 - 60 minutes or until the flan is set.
  12. To check if it's ready, insert a toothpick or knife into the center of the flan. If it comes out clean, the flan is done.
  13. Once cooked, use oven mitts and remove the flan pan from the water bath and let it completely cool to room temperature.
  14. Loosely cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or for best results, overnight to allow to fully set.
  15. Step 4 - Serving The Flan - To unmold the flan, carefully run a knife around the inside edges of the mold to loosen the flan from the sides. 
  16. Place a serving plate over the mold. Hold them tightly together and quickly invert them.
  17. Slowly lift the flan mold. The flan will gently drop onto the plate with the caramel topping flowing out into a pool around the flan creating beautiful Flan De Leche.
  18. Serve the flan chilled.

Notes

Top Tip

If your custard mixture has somehow formed way too many air bubbles, a simple hack is to sieve it twice before pouring it into the pan.

In addition, you can use a spoon to scrap off any pesky stray bubbles before baking.

Equipment / Helpful Tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • 9-inch round heavy metal cake pan or a 7 to 8 inch llanera or 1 cup ramekins
  • Large baking pan
  • Fine-mesh sieve
  • Whisk 
  • Rubber spatula
  • Tongs
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven mitts
  • Toothpick
  • Plastic wrap
  • Kitchen knife

© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Desserts
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