Heavenly French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

Creamy and decadent, this french antilles coconut flan dances with tropical sweetness that transports you to sun-kissed Caribbean shores.

Coconut lovers will adore this silky dessert bursting with rich, luscious flavors.

The recipe blends classic French techniques with vibrant island ingredients.

Smooth custard melts on your tongue, revealing delicate coconut undertones.

Each spoonful carries a hint of exotic paradise and culinary tradition.

Delightful and easy to prepare, this flan promises to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Dive into this irresistible treat that celebrates the magical fusion of French and Caribbean cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 7

All Ingredients In French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Sugar: Transforms into a golden, glossy coating that adds rich sweetness and beautiful color to the flan.
• Water: Helps sugar melt smoothly and creates the perfect caramel consistency.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides rich, velvety texture and balanced sweetness.
• Coconut Milk: Infuses tropical flavor and creamy richness unique to Caribbean desserts.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create the classic smooth, silky flan texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to complement coconut's tropical notes.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, warm spice that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Shredded Coconut: Optional ingredient that adds delightful texture and intensifies coconut flavor.

Tools And Supplies For French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking ingredients smoothly and combining flan mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending eggs, milks, and spices without lumps.
• Small saucepan: Necessary for creating golden caramel with precise heat control.
• 9-inch round baking dish or ramekins: Crucial for shaping and baking the flan.
• Large roasting pan: Needed for creating water bath during baking.
• Knife: Used for loosening flan edges before serving.
• Serving plate: Required for elegant flan presentation and inversion.

Steps To Make French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Caramel Foundation

Warm sugar in a small pan until it transforms into a mesmerizing golden amber liquid. Gently swirl the pan, creating a glossy coating that will line your baking dish with sweet sophistication.

• Tropical Mixture

Whisk together creamy coconut goodness with eggs and aromatic hints of vanilla. Let the ingredients dance together until they form a silky, smooth concoction that promises pure indulgence.

• Water Bath Preparation

Nestle your flan into a larger pan filled with steaming hot water. This gentle cooking technique ensures a luxurious, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

• Oven Magic

Slide the pan into a warm oven, allowing the flan to transform. Watch for the telltale signs of perfection – edges firm yet the center still playfully wobbling.

• Cooling Ritual

Let the flan rest and cool completely, inviting flavors to mingle and develop their full potential. Chill in the refrigerator, letting anticipation build with each passing hour.

• Dramatic Unveiling

With a confident motion, flip the flan onto a serving plate. Watch as golden caramel cascades dramatically, creating a stunning dessert that tells a story of Caribbean culinary magic.

Tips And Swaps For French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Perfect Caramel Technique: Watch the sugar closely during caramelization – a few seconds can transform it from golden to burnt. Remove from heat the moment it reaches a rich amber color to prevent bitterness.
• Coconut Intensity Boost: Add extra shredded coconut or a splash of coconut extract to enhance the tropical flavor profile. This trick intensifies the coconut essence without changing the fundamental recipe.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream and use a plant-based egg substitute like silken tofu or commercial egg replacer. This modification makes the flan friendly for vegan dessert lovers.
• Texture Mastery Tip: Always use a water bath (bain-marie) when baking to ensure smooth, creamy consistency. The gentle, indirect heat prevents cracking and promotes even cooking throughout the flan.
• Gluten-Free Confidence: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it perfect for those with wheat sensitivities. Double-check ingredient labels to maintain complete gluten-free integrity, especially for condensed milk and coconut milk brands.

Serving Suggestions For French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Tropical Coconut Paradise: Garnish the flan with fresh tropical fruits like mango slices, pineapple chunks, or passion fruit to add a vibrant Caribbean touch and enhance the coconut flavor.
• Island Rum Drizzle: Create a quick rum sauce by mixing dark rum with a touch of brown sugar, then drizzle it over the flan just before serving to elevate the dessert with a classic Caribbean spirit.
• Toasted Coconut Crunch: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the flan right before serving to add a delightful textural contrast and intensify the coconut experience with a golden, nutty crunch.
• Elegant Presentation Twist: Serve individual flan portions on small banana leaves or alongside a scoop of coconut sorbet to create a stunning, authentic French Antilles-inspired dessert presentation.

Storage Tips For French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store the coconut flan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorption of other food odors and maintain its delicate texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 1-2 days before serving. This waiting period allows flavors to deepen and develop a richer, more complex taste profile. The flan actually tastes better after resting in the refrigerator.
• Portion and Protect: Cut the flan into individual servings before storing. Use separate small containers or wrap each slice in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying. This method helps keep each slice looking and tasting fresh.
• Freezing Wisdom: While possible to freeze, the texture might slightly change. Wrap the flan tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and gently blot any excess moisture with a paper towel.

Silky French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Silky French Antilles coconut flan whisks Caribbean sweetness into a delectable dessert. Creamy coconut custard delivers island hospitality with rich, smooth elegance you’ll savor to the last delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps water
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 ml) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 ml) coconut milk
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (40 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Caramel Creation: Melt sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling until sugar dissolves. Simmer without stirring until reaching a deep amber color. Pour caramel into a round baking dish, rotating to coat evenly. Let solidify into a glossy foundation.
2. Oven Preparation: Position rack and preheat to 350F (175C), establishing the perfect baking environment.
3. Custard Composition: Whisk sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency. Incorporate shredded coconut to enhance tropical essence and texture.
4. Water Bath Assembly: Transfer custard mixture into caramel-lined baking dish. Place dish within a larger roasting pan, surrounding with hot water to reach halfway up the sides, ensuring gentle and uniform cooking.
5. Baking Process: Slide water bath into preheated oven. Bake until flan edges set and center remains slightly jiggly – approximately 45-50 minutes for a large flan or 30-35 minutes for individual servings.
6. Cooling and Setting: Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours to develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
7. Serving Presentation: Carefully run a knife around flan’s edge to loosen. Invert onto serving plate, allowing caramel to elegantly drape over the surface. Slice and serve chilled, showcasing the French Antilles coconut flan’s golden-topped sophistication.

Notes

• Caramel Crafting Precision: Watch sugar closely during caramelization to prevent burning; remove from heat the moment it reaches a deep amber color for a perfect, bitter-free base.
• Water Bath Technique: Ensure water surrounding the baking dish reaches exactly halfway up the sides to create uniform heat distribution and prevent cracking or uneven cooking.
• Coconut Texture Balance: Finely shred coconut to integrate smoothly into the custard, avoiding large chunks that might disrupt the silky flan texture.
• Chilling Strategy: Extended refrigeration (4+ hours) is crucial for developing the flan’s signature creamy consistency and allowing flavors to fully meld and intensify.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Caribbean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg