Dreamy French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

Whispers of tropical breezes dance through this coconut flan that captures the heart of French Antilles culinary magic.

Sweet memories flood back with each silky spoonful of this creamy dessert.

Caribbean kitchens breathe life into such simple yet extraordinary treats.

Coconut’s rich intensity transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Yourself lounging on a sun-drenched balcony, savoring each delicate bite of this classic delicacy.

Generations have perfected this recipe, passing down techniques that sing of island traditions.

Grab a fork and let this flan transport you to sandy shores and swaying palms.

Why French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Feels Like A Treat

• Savor Tropical Sweetness: This French Antilles Coconut Flan delivers an authentic Caribbean dessert experience with rich, creamy coconut flavors that transport you directly to island paradise.
• Master Elegant Technique: The water bath (bain-marie) method ensures a silky smooth texture, creating a professional-quality dessert that looks impressive but remains surprisingly simple to execute.
• Celebrate Make-Ahead Magic: Perfect for dinner parties and gatherings, this flan can be prepared entirely in advance, giving you stress-free entertaining and allowing flavors to deepen overnight in the refrigerator.
• Enjoy Versatile Indulgence: Whether served in a large dish or individual ramekins, this dessert suits multiple occasions from casual family dinners to sophisticated dinner parties, pleasing both adults and children with its creamy, caramel-kissed elegance.

What You’ll Use In French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Sugar: Sweet foundation that creates a rich, golden coating for the flan.
• Water: Helps dissolve and caramelize the sugar evenly.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut Milk: Creamy base that provides richness and smooth texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the flan and create a silky consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavoring to the dessert.

• Nutmeg: Warm, subtle spice that complements the coconut flavor.
• Shredded Coconut: Optional ingredient that adds texture and extra coconut intensity, great for coconut lovers.

• Choose fresh eggs at room temperature for best mixing.
• Use full-fat coconut milk for maximum creaminess.
• Select pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Freshly grated nutmeg provides a more vibrant taste compared to pre-ground.

How To Make French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

Step 1: Create Golden Caramel

In a small saucepan, mix sugar and water on medium heat. Gently stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring. Let the mixture simmer until it transforms into a rich golden amber color. Keep a close eye to prevent burning. Quickly pour the caramel into a 9-inch round baking dish or individual ramekins, swirling to coat the bottom evenly. Allow the caramel to harden and cool.

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

Step 3: Whip Together Creamy Mixture

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Coconut milk
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Nutmeg

Whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth. If desired, fold in shredded coconut for extra texture.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Gently pour the creamy mixture over the hardened caramel. Place the baking dish inside a large roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the baking dish, creating a cozy water bath.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes for a large flan or 30-35 minutes for smaller ramekins. Look for a set edge with a slight jiggle in the center. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 6: Chill and Develop Flavors

Tuck the flan into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and the texture to become gloriously smooth.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

When ready to serve, run a knife around the flan’s edges to loosen it. Place a serving plate on top of the dish and swiftly flip it over. Watch as the golden caramel cascades dramatically over the creamy flan. Slice and serve chilled, enjoying the tropical essence of the French Antilles.

Tips For Smooth French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Master the Caramel: Watch the sugar syrup closely to achieve that perfect golden amber color without burning, which adds a rich, deep flavor to your flan.
• Create a Smooth Texture: Whisk the flan mixture thoroughly to ensure no lumps, resulting in a silky, creamy dessert that melts in your mouth.
• Perfect Water Bath Technique: Use hot water for the bain-marie to create gentle, even heating that prevents cracking and ensures a delicate custard consistency.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let the flan rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, allowing the coconut and caramel flavors to meld and intensify.
• Easy Serving Trick: Run a knife around the edges and confidently flip the dish to release the flan, letting the caramel cascade beautifully over the dessert.

Best Pairings With French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Pair with Tropical Rum Cocktail: Blend a smooth Caribbean rum like Martinique's agricole rum with fresh pineapple juice and a splash of coconut cream for a perfect companion that echoes the flan's tropical coconut essence.
• Complement with Fresh Fruit Medley: Serve alongside a vibrant tropical fruit plate featuring ripe mango slices, passion fruit, and papaya to enhance the Caribbean flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy flan.
• Match with Smooth Coffee Experience: Brew a rich French press coffee with hints of vanilla and caramel, which will beautifully complement the flan's nutmeg and sweet caramel notes, creating a harmonious dessert pairing.
• Enhance with Sweet White Wine: Select a chilled Moscato d'Asti or late-harvest Riesling to highlight the flan's creamy texture and provide a light, sweet counterpoint to the dessert's rich coconut profile.

Other Versions Of French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• Caribbean Rum Infusion: Add 2 tablespoons of dark rum to the flan mixture for a rich, spirited flavor that captures the essence of tropical islands.
• Tropical Fruit Layer: Sprinkle diced fresh mango or pineapple chunks on the bottom of the baking dish before adding caramel for a fruity surprise underneath the creamy flan.
• Nutty Coconut Crunch: Top the finished flan with toasted coconut flakes and chopped macadamia nuts to add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the coconut profile.
• Spiced Island Version: Incorporate a pinch of ground cinnamon and a dash of cardamom into the flan mixture to create a warm, aromatic Caribbean-inspired dessert.

Common Questions About French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco)

• What makes Flan Coco different from traditional flan?

Flan Coco is a French Antilles version that includes coconut milk and shredded coconut, giving it a rich, tropical flavor unique to Caribbean cuisine. The addition of nutmeg also adds a warm, distinctive spice note that sets it apart from classic flan recipes.

• Is this dessert difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! While it might seem complicated, this flan recipe is surprisingly simple. The key is patience when making the caramel and using a water bath for even baking. Most home cooks can successfully make this dessert with basic baking skills.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in the recipe?

You can use low-fat condensed milk if you want a lighter version. If you don’t have nutmeg, cinnamon works as a good alternative. Just avoid skipping the coconut elements, as they define the unique character of this Caribbean dessert.

• Why do I need to use a water bath when baking the flan?

The water bath (bain-marie) helps the flan cook evenly and prevents cracking. It creates a gentle, moist heat that ensures a smooth, creamy texture throughout the dessert, giving you that perfect, silky consistency flan is known for.

How To Store French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Safely

• Refrigerate: Wrap the flan tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best quality and freshness.
• Cover Carefully: Protect the delicate surface by placing a piece of parchment paper between the flan and the plastic wrap to prevent sticking or damage.
• Serve Chilled: Remove the flan from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to slightly take off the chill, which helps enhance its creamy texture and smooth flavor.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze this dessert, as the custard's delicate structure will break down and lose its silky consistency when thawed.

French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky smooth French Antilles coconut flan celebrates Caribbean culinary heritage with its luscious, creamy texture and subtle tropical sweetness. Rich condensed milk and fresh coconut blend into a luxurious dessert that transports you to sun-drenched island shores with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 milliliters) coconut milk
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (40 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut

Caramel Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Craft a gleaming caramel foundation by melting sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the mixture gently until sugar dissolves, then let it simmer without stirring until it transforms into a rich amber hue. Carefully pour the molten caramel into a round baking dish, rotating to create an even coating. Allow the caramel to solidify and form a glossy base.
2. Position the oven rack and heat to 350F (175C), creating an ideal environment for the custard’s transformation.
3. Blend the creamy flan mixture by whisking sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture. Gently fold in shredded coconut for added depth and tropical character.
4. Delicately pour the velvety mixture over the hardened caramel layer. Nestle the baking dish within a larger roasting pan, surrounding it with hot water halfway up its sides to ensure gentle, even cooking.
5. Slide the water bath into the preheated oven. Bake until the flan’s edges firm up while maintaining a slight wobble in the center – approximately 45-50 minutes for a large flan or 30-35 minutes for individual portions.
6. Remove from the oven and allow the custard to cool completely at room temperature, letting its flavors meld and intensify.
7. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, permitting the flan to set and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
8. When ready to serve, trace a knife around the flan’s perimeter to release it. Invert onto a serving plate, allowing the caramel to cascade dramatically over the surface. Slice and present this French Antilles delicacy chilled, revealing its glossy, golden-topped elegance.

Notes

• Choose ripe, high-quality coconut milk for the most authentic tropical flavor and creamy texture.
• Strain the caramel through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a smooth, silky surface without any sugar crystals.
• Create a gluten-free version by verifying all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially the condensed milk and vanilla extract.
• Enhance the coconut profile by toasting shredded coconut before adding to the mixture, which brings out a deeper, nuttier essence and adds delightful complexity to the flan.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg