Neapolitan Flan

Neapolitan Flan Recipe: A Creamy and Delicious Classic

Hello! We are going to prepare a very special and traditional recipe in Mexican cuisine, the Neapolitan Flan. This dessert is characterized by its creamy texture and sweet caramel flavor that delights anyone. Perfect for sharing at family gatherings or for treating yourself at home.

• CreamyNeapolitan: the softness of its texture is thanks to the cream cheese.
• FlanFlavor: a delicate mix of sweet and vanilla that makes it irresistible.
• SweetNapoli: its homemade caramel gives it a perfect traditional touch.

Preparation time

So you can organize your time well when preparing this delicious dessert:

• Preparation: 20 minutes
• Cooking: 90 minutes
• Total: 2 hours 10 minutes (including chilling)
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the flan

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 7 large eggs
• 5 ½ oz. cream cheese
• 16 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 22 oz. evaporated milk
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups water for bain-marie

For decoration (optional)

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Carambola (star fruit)

If you don't have cream cheese, you can substitute it with cottage cheese or ricotta, although the texture will change a bit, and you'll also need to beat it to smooth it out.

Utensils we will use

• Large pot for a bain-marie
• Deep round pan or mold (8 ½ to 9 inches)
• Food processor or blender
• Silicone spatula
• Sharp knife
• Large bowl
• Aluminum foil
• Cooling rack
• Kitchen towel

Preparation

1. Prepare the caramel

1. Preheat the mold: Place the mold in the oven at a low temperature to warm it, so the caramel will flow better.
2. Caramelize the sugar: Put half a cup of sugar in a pot over medium heat. Stir constantly by shaking the pot or with a spatula to prevent it from burning or forming lumps. If you see it melting too quickly, lower the heat.
3. Add the rest of the sugar: Add the other half and continue stirring non-stop until all the sugar is liquid and amber in color. Do not let it get too dark to avoid bitterness.
4. Pour the caramel: Carefully remove the hot pan and quickly pour the caramel, moving it to cover the bottom. The caramel hardens quickly, work fast.

2. Mix the flan

1. Preheat the oven: Heat to 180°C (356°F).
2. Beat eggs and vanilla: Place the whole eggs in the blender, add the vanilla, and blend a little to mix.
3. Incorporate cheeses and milks: Add the cream cheese cut into cubes and the condensed and evaporated milks. Blend at high speed until a homogeneous mixture without lumps is obtained (approx. 1 minute).
4. Pour into mold: Take the flan mixture and gently pour it over the hardened caramel.
5. Cover: Cover the mold with aluminum foil ensuring a good seal to prevent water from entering.

3. Cook in a bain-marie

1. Prepare the water bath: In a large pot, place a tray or mold to put the flan inside.
2. Add hot water: Pour approximately one inch (about 2.5 cm) of hot water around the flan mold, making sure the water does not enter the flan.
3. Bake: Carefully, put everything in the oven and cook for 90 minutes. You know it's ready when a knife inserted comes out clean.
4. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight for it to set.

4. Unmold and decorate

1. Loosen the edges: Submerge the mold in a hot water bath for a few minutes to facilitate unmolding. Run a knife around the edges.
2. Flip the flan: Place a plate over the mold, cover with a towel, and with a confident movement, flip it so the flan falls onto the plate.
3. Decorate: Create a border with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and star fruit for a colorful and fresh touch.

The Flan with cheese is a great inspiration for this recipe and can give you ideas for future variations in preparation.

I want to share these tips so your Neapolitan Flan turns out perfect

• Use fresh eggs: This helps the texture be firmer and smoother.
• Control the caramel: Do not let the sugar get too dark or it will become bitter.
• Do not open the oven during baking: This can cause the flan to crack or not set properly.
• Cover well with aluminum: Prevents water from entering and ruining the texture.
• Refrigerate for enough time: The flan needs to mature to achieve its characteristic creaminess.

If you want to learn additional milk dessert techniques, try this creme brûlée recipe, it is a delicious creamy variant.

Nutritional Information per approximate serving

• Calories: 250 kcal
• Proteins: 7 g
• Fats: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g

These values are an estimate and may vary depending on portions and ingredient brands.

5 keys to make your Neapolitan Flan perfect

• Patience with the caramel: Stir the sugar constantly until it reaches that amber color without burning.
• Constant temperature: Keep the oven at the indicated temperature so that it sets evenly.
• Smooth the cream cheese: Blend well to avoid lumps and ensure a creamy texture.
• Functional Bain-Marie: Prevent water from touching the flan; this maintains its smoothness.
• Prolonged chilling: Don't rush; refrigerate for at least 8 hours for it to set.

When is it ideal to enjoy Neapolitan Flan?

This dessert is ideal for family celebrations, such as birthdays or parties, because its elegant presentation and delicate flavor charm everyone. It is also perfect for summer due to its freshness when served cold with fresh fruit. Furthermore, it is an ideal finish for special meals, complementing very well with coffee or tea.

Comparative table of Neapolitan Flan with similar desserts

Visually learn all the steps to create a perfect Neapolitan Flan with this clear and simple guide.

Master the caramel technique for flan and make sure your PerfectFlan has that touch of flavor NapoliSweetness essential.

Share your experience with Neapolitan Flan

Have you tried making this flan? Telling us how it turned out and sharing your own variations can help others improve their preparations. Cooking is a place to experiment and enjoy, so don't hesitate to leave your comment with your tricks and results. Your experience is very valuable!

Culinary glossary for preparing Neapolitan Flan

• Water bath: Cooking technique in which the container with the mixture is placed inside another with hot water to cook gently.
• Caramelize: Melt sugar until a golden and aromatic liquid is obtained.
• Homogeneous: That it is well mixed and without lumps.
• Cream cheese: Smooth and creamy dairy product that adds texture and flavor to the flan.
• Unmold: Carefully remove the dessert from its mold to serve.