Baked Cheese Flan

Baked Cream Cheese Flan Recipe

Hello! We are going to prepare a classic and creamy dessert that never fails: the baked cheese flan. This traditional sweet combines the smoothness of flan with the irresistible touch of cream cheese, resulting in a creamy texture and a sweet flavor balanced with caramel. It's perfect for any occasion at home.

Preparation time

This flan is relatively quick to prepare and requires patience for baking and cooling.

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 60 minutes
• Total: 75 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the caramel

• 1 cup of sugar

For the flan

• 1 can of condensed milk (397 g)
• 1 can of evaporated milk (354 ml)
• 225 g of cream cheese at room temperature
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

If you can't find cream cheese, you can use very well processed ricotta cheese to soften, but keep in mind that the texture will be less homogeneous and creamy. Therefore, cream cheese is preferable for an authentic and homemade cream cheese flan.

Utensils we will use

• Flan mold or oven-safe dish
• Pan for caramelizing sugar
• Blender or food processor
• Large bowl
• Knife for unmolding
• Pot or mold for bain-marie (you can use a deep tray and place the flan mold inside)

Preparation

1. Sweet and golden caramel

1. Melt the sugar: Put the cup of sugar in a pan over medium heat. Do not stir with a spoon; instead, gently tilt the pan to move the sugar as it melts and turns into caramel.
2. Sign of ready caramel: When it has a golden amber color, remove the pan from the heat to prevent it from burning and becoming bitter.
3. Pour into the mold: Quickly pour the caramel into the bottom of the flan mold, tilting to cover the entire bottom evenly before it hardens.

Remember that the caramel should not burn, as this can give the dessert an unpleasant taste. Control the heat very well and remove it in time.

2. Mix the creamy flan base

1. Combine ingredients: In a blender or large bowl, mix the condensed milk, the evaporated milk, the cream cheese, the 4 eggs and the vanilla.
2. Whisk well: Blend until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. This is important for the flan's texture to be smooth and creamy.

3. Pour and bake

1. Prepare the bain-marie: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the mold with caramel in a deep baking dish and pour enough hot water into it to cover half of the mold.
2. Add the mixture: Carefully pour the flan mixture into the mold over the already solidified caramel.
3. Bake: Bake for approximately 60-70 minutes. The flan will be ready when a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Cool and unmold

1. Cool to room temperature: Remove the mold from the oven and let the flan rest until it cools completely.
2. Refrigerate: Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for it to set firmly.
3. Unmold: Use a knife to gently loosen the edges and invert onto a plate so the caramel is on top.

To finish and serve

Before serving, check that the caramel is liquid and evenly distributed. This sweet treat baked cheese flan should be served cold to enjoy its creaminess. You can accompany it with fresh fruit or coffee for a complete dessert. If you like variations, you can explore similar combinations in other cheese desserts like the spiced pumpkin cheesecake or a tres leches cake which also offer that sweet and creamy texture.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Proteins: 7 g
• Fats: 15 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0 g

These values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients used and the portion served.

5 keys to make your baked cream cheese flan perfect

1. Use room temperature ingredients: This makes it easier for everything to integrate better, especially the cream cheese and eggs, avoiding lumps.
2. Unburnt caramel: Control the heat while melting the sugar to get a golden caramel, never dark, because it can make the dessert bitter.
3. Constant water bath: The water must be hot throughout the baking to prevent the flan from cracking and to achieve that characteristic creamy texture.
4. Do not overbeat the eggs: Mix well but carefully to avoid incorporating too much air, which could create bubbles and affect the final texture.
5. Proper refrigeration: The flan needs cold time to set firmly; try to leave it for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

This baked cheese flan it is a wonderful option to share at family gatherings, celebrations, or to top off a homemade meal. Its creamy texture and balanced sweetness make it perfect to serve as a dessert on special days or simply to treat yourself after lunch or dinner. Plus, if it's hot, enjoying it cold is refreshing and comforting.

Comparative table of recipes similar to baked cream cheese flan

Share your experience

The kitchen is for experimenting and sharing. How did your baked cheese flan turn out? Did you try adjusting any ingredients or adding any special touch? Tell us your variations and results, and share with others the experiences that helped you perfect this recipe.

Culinary glossary

• Caramel: Melted and golden sugar used as a sweet topping on desserts.
• Bain-marie: Cooking technique that consists of placing a container with food inside another with hot water to achieve a gentle and uniform cooking.
• Cream cheese: Soft and creamy dairy product, essential in this recipe for its characteristic texture and flavor.
• Homogeneous: That is well mixed without lumps or separated parts.
• Unmold: Removing the dessert from the mold to serve it, generally using a knife to loosen the edges.