Flan Napolitano
Classic Creamy Flan
Recipe Yield
8 individual flans
Cooking time
1 hour
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- One 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- One 12- ounce can evaporated milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces (or 1/2 cup) cream cheese
To Prepare
- Preheat oven to 350°Position rack in the middle of the oven.
- Heat the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Swirl occasionally, but do not stir. Cook until the sugar is melted and turns to caramel, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the caramel evenly into eight 6-ounce ramekins. Let the caramel cool slightly while you make the batter.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, and cream cheese to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into the ramekins with the caramel, dividing it evenly among them.
- Place the filled ramekins into a roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan filling to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins — making sure not to get any water in them. Cover the whole pan tightly with aluminum foil and very carefully and evenly lower into the oven, as to not splash the water. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the flan has set.
- Very carefully take the baking pan out of the oven to not splash the water. Also, be careful removing the foil as there will be hot steam escaping. Use tongs or an oven mitt to remove the flans from the roasting pan (the ramekins will be hoand allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least a couple hours. They will keep for up to 1 week.
- Once the flan has chilled, run a wet knife around the rim to loosen it from the ramekin. Invert the ramekin onto a plate and let the flan slide out onto the plate, caramel side up. Repeat with remaining flans. Serve cold.
Comments
116comments inFlan Napolitano
Jeff Foldenauer
Mar 24
I made your flan for a party and it was PERFECTION. Instead of individual ramekins, I used a single 9 inch cake pan and otherwise baked as directed. We loved the added richness of the cream cheese! Fantastically smooth texture!
Pati Jinich
Mar 31
So happy to hear you liked it Jeff!
Cathy Martin
Mar 02
Delicious! Super easy recipe, came out perfect and the family loves it. Thank you so much Pati, we have so much fun watching your show and making your recipes <3
Pati Jinich
Mar 09
So happy to hear you liked it Cathy!
Sylvia Keeran
Feb 21
I look forward to trying your receipt! We love flan!
Pati Jinich
Feb 29
I hope you made the flan and loved it Sylvia 😉
Jacqueline Vilaboa
Feb 18
Gracias, Pati. Quedo delicioso a pesar que se me olvido echarle la vainilla.
Pati, me quedo mucho caramelo duro en el molde en lugar de que este escurriera arriba del flan. Eso el normal?
Pati Jinich
Feb 27
Puede ser que le echaste demasiado caramelo a los ramekins o igual puedes probar sacar los flanes del refrigerador unos 15 minutos antes de desmoldarlos Jacqueline 🙂
Carlos Ayala
Feb 17
This is the EXACT same flan recipe that you use when you make chocoflan!! I remember saying exactly that to my mom the first time we saw you make it in your show.
Can you use this that way too, for making the flan layer of a chocoflan? Please let me know!
Pati Jinich
Feb 27
I don’t see why not Carlos, just be prepared because the flan layer will be a bit more dense because of the cream cheese 🙂
Michelle Pellegini Ferguson
Feb 09
I ❤️ flan and can’t wait to make this recipe!
Pati you are so amazing and so are your recipes !
💚🤍❤️
Michelle
Pati Jinich
Feb 15
Thanks so much Michelle, hugs to you!
Maria
Feb 08
I loved this flan!
Pati Jinich
Feb 15
Yay, so happy to hear!
Anita Bencomo
Jan 28
This is a delicious recipe!
Thank you!
Pati Jinich
Jan 30
So happy to hear, yay!
Laurel Crawford
Jan 28
I have had this bookmarked on my tv for months. I am out of the hospital and ready to make this!!! So excited!
Pati Jinich
Jan 30
Hope you are feeling better Laurel, enjoy the flan!
Ellen Sadovsky
Jan 24
I have always made this, however, without cream cheese. I can’t wait to try it with the cream cheese. My recipe calls for 6 eggs, should I cut it down to 4 when adding the cream cheese?
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
So happy you are giving my recipe a try Ellen, for best results follow it to the tee, you will see how creamy and yummy this flan turns out!
Walter Meyer
Jan 23
I think I can actually make this! Lol. Thanks for the recipe.
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
Go for it Walter, you are going to love it!
Beth Amendola
Jan 23
Your recipes not only taste great but so easy to follow.
Thank you so much for all you do.
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
Thanks so much to you for following Beth!
Jody
Jan 23
I love this quick and easy flan recipe!
Thank you so much Pati!
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
Glad you like it Jody 😉
Margo Lloyd Beckham
Jan 17
Pati,
Do you use Mexican vanilla? I have it in my pantry. One bottle was a gift; a bottle of clear vanilla. The other is dark vanilla. We live in AZ, 2 1/2 hours from the border. It’s excellent vanilla.
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
I love Mexican vanilla too, and try to use it when available!
Margo Lloyd Beckham
Jan 17
Yay, a great recipe for flan! I’ve been looking for one for quite awhile! It looks “delicioso”!
Pati Jinich
Jan 27
Happy to hear you liked it Margo 😉
Bobbie Major
Jan 12
This seems easy to make and look great so I will make this, my husbond live custard so should like this.
Thank you for having it available for us on TV
Pati Jinich
Jan 14
My pleasure Bobbie, let me know how you guys liked the flan!
Grethel or Gigi E Gonzalez
Nov 17
Love this recipe I will incorporate on my Thanksgiving dinner with my family this year. I love your PBS SERIES, I own several of your cooking books. Keep bringing your beautiful recipes and TV chow to us and I wish you and your family all the best for next year 2024.
Pati Jinich
Nov 21
This is so kind of you Gigi, thank you!
Fran R.
Sep 22
Hola Pati,
Would this work if I use six 8oz. Ramekins? Or would it be too big for one portion?
I’m going to make it tomorrow 🙂
Thanks,
Fran
Pati Jinich
Oct 10
It will definitely work Fran, enjoy the flan!
Stella
Sep 13
Delicious
Pati Jinich
Sep 20
Gracias!
Louise
Sep 12
Does the cream cheese give it a cheesecake texture?
Pati Jinich
Sep 20
Not as dense but more like creamy 🙂
Elayne Bowman
Sep 11
This sounds absolutely delightful, Pati! My husband and I are enjoying all of your shows and recipes. He purchased me TWO of your cookbooks for my birthday! Thank you so much for sharing Mexico with us in a way that no one else has done.
Pati Jinich
Sep 20
Thanks to you and your husband for following Elayne! If you share with me your mailing address to hola@patijinich.com, I could sign and dedicate bookplates for your copies, which ones do you have?
Ceci Kearns
Sep 11
Can this be froz n?
Pati Jinich
Sep 20
I don’t think so Ceci 🙂
Bernie
Aug 22
Just watched the Flan recipe, wow, so easy! Hope it tastes as good as it looks, I know it will because it’s yours. ❤🙏❤
Pati Jinich
Sep 04
Thanks so much Bernie!
DORATTA FROST
Apr 19
I WATCHED YOU MAKE THIS ON PBS….SO EASY…COPIED RECIPE….GOING TO MAKE IT
Pati Jinich
Jun 06
Yay, enjoy it Doratta!
Megan McNamara
Dec 13
Oh my goodness this is delicious! I made one to test the recipe and give the ladies in our office a taste test. They loved it! Now I have to try and make this for a bigger crowd for our staff Christmas Party. My plan is to double the ingredients for a larger pan, do you have any idea on baking times?
Pati Jinich
Jan 07
To be honest I would recommend to make two batches instead of one double recipe Megan 😉
Janean
Dec 01
Pati, thank you for this easy and absolutely delicious flan recipe. When my boyfriend tells his mom and aunts in Guadalajara about it, I know it’s good! The caramel sauce glistened as it circled the dish and the custard was silky smooth. All of your recipes are rock solid. Both red snapper and flan are staples in our home thanks to you!
Pati Jinich
Jan 02
Yay, thanks for sharing Janean!
Rina Garcia
Nov 17
I like recipe the flan napolitano thank you Rina
Pati Jinich
Dec 11
So glad to hear Rina!
Storm Britten (Ilouno)
Nov 06
I made this today for dessert. I added some orange extract and it was so good. We had Tres Queso Chicken Pasta for dinner. And a spinach, avocado and pomegranate saladas. So yummy. We love your show. We always watch and I have tried many good recipes.
Pati Jinich
Nov 09
Thanks so much for tuning in Storm, so glad you have been enjoying the show and cooking my recipes, un abrazo!
lucy
Oct 29
Can i substitute coconut milk for the evaporated milk
Pati Jinich
Nov 02
Yes Lucy, you could, but if what you want is a coconut flan, I have this recipe for you 🙂 http://patijinich.com/beachside_coconut_flan/
Storm Britten (Ilouno)
Nov 06
Just made this for dinner. We had Tres Queso Chicken Pasta and a spinach and pomegranate salada as well. I made orange blossom flan with just a dash of orange extract added to your recipe. We love your show.
Pati Jinich
Nov 09
OMG yummy!
Gerry
Oct 20
I made this recipe for my wife and she loved it. The second time I made I did not have any cream cheese so, I substituted a shot of espresso and I fill 6 5 ounce ramekins. She says the flan has an extra depth of flavor. I now have to make it every week (without the cream cheese). Love your show. I’m trying your pizzas next with some adobo sauce from some slow cooked pork belly. Best cooking show on TV.
Pati Jinich
Oct 28
This is so sweet of you Gerry, thanks so much! Hugs to you and your wife 😉
Judith Leitner
Jun 22
Delicious dessert, by chance is there a typo? Most other Flan recipes call for “1 teaspoon of vanilla” but this one calls for “1 Tablespoon of Vanilla” .
Pati Jinich
Jun 22
No typo Judith, 1 tablespoon it is 🙂
Joanna
May 30
I just couldn’t believe it was so simple. Thanks
Pati Jinich
Jun 04
Isn’t it? And really yummy 😉
Ismael Gutiérrez
Apr 15
Muy delicioso este flan, sabe cómo los que venden en Sanborns 👍😋
Solo un comentario Pati, la receta confunde un poco ya que especifica 112-oz can y 114-oz can de leches cuando el guion debe ser
1-14 oz can y 1-12 oz can
Gracias
Pati Jinich
Apr 19
Que bueno que te gusto Ismael, y mil gracias por el comentario, lo vamos a checar!
Irene C Clark
Jul 17
Looks delicious will try this thank u soo much for sharing all your awesome dishes! love watching you on Saturday morning you make my day ! I am working on my own personal family recipe cook book.so do u have family favorite’s ? would love to hear of that ! Thank u Pati .your fan of your delicious meals which I have been trying.its work! LOL Irene Cortez Clark
Pati Jinich
Jul 25
In fact I do Irene, on Season 4 I have an episode on Family Favorites that includes my recipes for Chiles Rellenos, Meringue Cake and Drunken Rice with Chicken, you can check it out here http://patijinich.com/video/episode-411-family-favorites/ Un abrazo!
K.
Jul 17
Mine’s in the oven right now! LOVE your show!!!
Pati Jinich
Jul 25
Thanks so much K, I hope you loved the flan 🙂
Jocelyn
Jun 05
If it is flan napolitano shouldn’t it be mascarpone instead of regular cream cheese??
Pati Jinich
Jun 12
You can go ahead and use mascarpone Jocelyn, I like better the texture that results from using cream cheese 😉
Elvira H.
Nov 17
Hi, Pati – I enjoy watching your show on PBS and had to try your flan Napolitano. I was nervous about making the caramel since the only caramel I have made in the past uses a small amount of water but I stuck with it and it came out beautifully and muy delicioso! Mil gracias, Pati.
Pati Jinich
Nov 22
So glad you liked it Elvira, un abrazo!
Roz
Nov 16
Is the cream cheese from a block or the whipped kind?
Pati Jinich
Nov 22
From a brick Roz, enjoy!
ChomStories! YouTube
Jul 22
I have never had flan! I’m ashamed to say 🙂 I made it today! It was so easy and delicious! Thank you so much Pati!
Pati Jinich
Jul 26
Glad you try your first with my recipe, thank you!
Jose Ochoa
Jun 24
¡Que sabroso! Tonight I made this as a dessert for my boyfriend and I. We both loved it! This is the perfect flan in my opinion and I will probably never use any other recipe again! I baked mine in an 8″ square baking dish and made a couple other adjustments. I have to say it exceeded my expectations and I definitely will be making this again and again.
Pati Jinich
Jun 27
Muchas gracias Jose, glad you liked the flan. Hugs to you guys!
Liza
Jun 11
Hi Pati,
Can this recipe be used with a cake pan rather than ramekins?
Pati Jinich
Jun 21
Absolutely Liza, go for it!
Renee Mullins
May 23
What can I use instead of ramekins?
Pati Jinich
May 23
Hi Renee! You can try a muffin tin or even mugs, good luck 🙂
Miguelito
May 18
¡Hola Pati! I made this flan and absolutely loved it. Had some amazing flavor and was relatively easy to make. However the caramel stuck to the bottom of the ramekins. Any suggestions for next time?
Pati Jinich
May 20
Hey Miguelito, thanks for the feedback! Some of the caramel will inevitably stick to the bottom as the flan cooks, next time try to add a bit more to each ramekin so more of it will stay on the flan 😉
Pati Kratky
May 03
Querida Pati!😊
We watch all of your episodes on Prime Amazon and we are BIG fans!
This was my first official flan and it came out SO PERFECT!! We couldn’t get enough of it, thank you so much for this and all of your wonderful recipes!💖
Pati Jinich
May 03
Awesome Pati! Flan is one of my favorite desserts ever, so much I have many recipes here in the website for you. How about this one? http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/orange-vanilla-flan/
Pati
May 10
My mom and I can’t wait to make this one as well! Gracias!💖
Pati Jinich
May 11
Thanks Pati, you will not regret it 🙂
Pati Godinez Kratky
May 03
Querida Pati!😊
We watch all of your episodes on Prime Amazon and we are BIG fans!
This was my first official flan and it came out SO PERFECT!! We couldn’t get enough of it, it is so authentic, reminded me of my childhood! Thank you so much for this and all of your wonderful recipes!💖
Pati Jinich
May 03
Gracias a ti Pati! Love it when my recipes bring back good memories to you guys 😉
Matthew
Apr 19
I am going to make it this afternoon. I will bring this recipe back to Siargao Island in the Philippines, along with many of your others. I will bring at least one full suitcase of various dried chilis!
Pati Jinich
Apr 19
Thanks so much Matthew! Hope your friends and family in the Philippines enjoy all the goodies 😉
Cerra Sampson
Apr 15
Hi Pati,
We are super excited about making this, but I don’t have small ramekins. 😬 What other type of dish can I do this in? You’re the best!
Thanks!!
Pati Jinich
Apr 16
Hi Cerra, thanks for your message! If you do not have ramekins, you may use a muffin pan or even over proof mugs or tea cups 😉
Linda
Apr 13
Hola Pati se me olvido taparlos con aluminio!!
Pati Jinich
Apr 16
Oh no! They became all watery right? 🙁
Jorge
Apr 12
Hi,
Just saw you episode. Instead of ramekins, what other pan do you recommend for your Flan at 350 degrees and and how many minutes?
Jorge
Pati Jinich
Apr 16
Hi Jorge, you may try to use a muffin pan or even mugs and tea cups. The temperature and baking times should be about the same. Enjoy!
Lydia
Apr 11
Hi pati, just made it , my daughter tried it but did not let it cool completely, was not creamy but grainy. Did I overbeat it,she loved it and ate the whole thing. What did I do wrong .
Pati Jinich
Apr 19
Hi Lydia, I think the problem my have been that your flan was a bit overcooked. Make sure your oven is at 350 F and that you cook the flan in the middle rack for 45 minutes. Good luck!
Liz*
Apr 10
Hola pati
Y que pasa si no tengo los moldesitos de vidrio puedo usar uno grande?
Pati Jinich
Apr 19
Claro Liz, o tambien puedes usar un molde para muffins o hasta tazas para cafe 🙂 Gracias por tu mensaje.
Elizabeth Rosas
Apr 08
Hi Paty…I made your Flan today and it was delicious. My family devoured it and said I requested I make it again.
I really liked how easy it was to prepare and bake. Thank you for sharing wonderful recipes. I plan to make the Chilorio next week!
Happy Easter!
Pati Jinich
Apr 09
Bravo Elizabeth, so glad you flan was a hit 😉 Chilorio will not disappoint either, good luck!
Lisa Langley
Apr 04
I am so excited to try this recipe , I am a bit nervous about the Carmel part but you make it look so easy.and yummy ,can’t wait to try this thank you.
Pati Jinich
Apr 06
Do not be nervous, you are going to do great! With the caramel just make sure you do not let it burn or it will become really bitter and ruin the whole thing 😀
Faye Seaberg
Mar 28
My husband loves Flan. Seeing you make this and seemIng so simple, I am hoping I can succeed. Thank you for making your recipes available.
Pati Jinich
Apr 02
Hi Faye! I hope you tried this recipe; please let me know how your husband liked it 😉
Jeffrey
Jun 13
Hola Pati! Can I substitute the sweetened condensed milk with canned dulce de leche? Made your tres leches cake for a very special occasion last night and it was the BIGGEST hit! Gracias por todo
Pati Jinich
Jun 21
Yes Jeffrey, it is actually a great idea! It will not be Napolitano anymore but it will come out super yummy, enjoy!
D.Camacho
Mar 07
Awesome!
Pati Jinich
Mar 08
Thank you! 😉