Leche flan is a popular Filipino dessert that is always served during special events or occasions like Christmas, Easter and birthday parties. It is normally made in a leche plan mold called llanera. A baking pan or ramekins may also be used. The pan is lined with caramel and topped with custard and may be steamed using the stove or baked in a hot water bath. After baking or steaming, the custard is cooled and then chilled in the fridge for several hours or overnight. To serve, the pan is inverted onto a serving plate and the custard comes out with smooth caramel on top.
There are so many ways to make leche flan. This recipe uses a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. I also added grated lemon rind for extra taste and flavor. Leche flan is always my go-to dessert to make during holidays such as Easter, with my other favorites: pineapple glazed ham and pan de sal. Enjoy!
Leche flan is a popular Filipino caramel custard dessert that is always served during special events or occasions like Christmas, Easter and birthday parties.
- ½ cup sugar
- 8 egg yolks
- 1 can (300 ml) sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup evaporated milk
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ tsp finely grated lemon or lime
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
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Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
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In a heavy saucepan, melt the sugar over medium high heat. Cook, without stirring, until sugar starts to caramelize, about 4 minutes.
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Immediately pour the caramel over an 8-inch round pan or distribute the caramel into two leche flan molds (llanera). Tip the pan or molds side to side to distribute the caramel evenly. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until well blended. Add the condensed milk and stir to mix thoroughly.
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Pour the evaporated milk and water into the yolk mixture. Add the lemon rind and vanilla, and mix well. Pour the mixture into the pan or molds.
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Place a kitchen towel in the bottom of a large roasting pan and then place the prepared pan or molds on top of the kitchen towel. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the pan or molds.
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Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven. Bake the custard in the hot water bath until set, about 1 hour.
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Let the custard cool in the water bath for 20 minutes and then refrigerate to chill for several hours or overnight.
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To serve, run a knife around the side of the pan and quicky turn the custard into a serving plate. Pour excess caramel in the pan over the custard.
Can we use a steamer instead of the oven.? How long would be the cooking time?
Hi Marissa,
You can certainly use a steamer to cook the leche flan. Cover the baking pan or leche flan molds (llanera) with foil and then try steaming for 30 minutes first and then check for doneness by inserting a toothpick. Continue steaming, if needed.
Bakit po nila lagyan nyo ngbwater ang leche.plan nyo ano ang magyayari kungbmay tubig diba Magiging sobrang malambot na
Hi Guadelyn,
Nilagyan ko ng tubig para ma-dilute iyong condensed milk. The result is a light and not dense leche flan, the way I like my leche flan to be 🙂 Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!