Homemade Flan Cake Recipe
If you have a sweet tooth and a love for classic Mexican desserts, then you are absolutely going to adore this Homemade Flan Cake Recipe. This delightful dessert brings together the creamy, luscious flan layer with a fluffy, moist cake in one beautiful Bundt pan masterpiece. The caramelized sugar lends a gorgeous amber color and rich flavor that perfectly complements the silky custard and vanilla-infused cake beneath. Whether you are making it for a family gathering or a special occasion, this recipe is bound to become your new favorite because it combines simplicity with extraordinary taste in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Flan Cake Recipe starts with simple pantry staples that come together to create a dessert full of texture and flavor contrast. Each ingredient serves an essential role, ensuring your cake and flan layer bake to perfection with a golden caramel top.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Used to make a smooth, golden caramel that forms the delicious topping and base for the flan.
- Sweetened condensed milk (1 can, 14 oz): Adds rich sweetness and creamy texture to the flan custard layer.
- Evaporated milk (1 can, 12 oz): Lightens the custard without adding extra sweetness, balancing the flan perfectly.
- Large eggs (7 total): Four eggs bind the flan, while three eggs help the cake rise and stay moist.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Infuses the flan with a warm, classic flavor that everyone will love.
- Yellow cake mix (1 package, 15.25 oz): A quick and tasty base that keeps the cake tender and light.
- Water (1 cup): Moistens the cake batter perfectly, ensuring a soft crumb.
- Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Adds richness to the cake without overpowering its delicate flavor.
How to Make Homemade Flan Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to get things ready for baking. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar while stirring constantly until it liquefies and turns a beautiful golden-brown caramel. This caramel will give your flan cake that iconic glossy top and addictively sweet flavor. Quickly pour it into a greased 12-cup Bundt pan, swirling it to coat the bottom evenly before it hardens.
Step 2: Blend the Flan Mixture
Next, take your blender and combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, 4 eggs, and vanilla extract. Blend everything until smooth and silky. This smooth custard will bake into a creamy flan layer that contrasts perfectly with the cake layer below, making your Homemade Flan Cake Recipe truly spectacular.
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter
In a separate bowl, follow the package instructions for the yellow cake mix, incorporating the 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil as directed. This batter will create a light and fluffy cake base that pairs so wonderfully with the flan mixture sitting on top.
Step 4: Layer and Bake
Pour the prepared cake batter evenly over the caramel in your Bundt pan. Then, carefully and evenly pour the blended flan mixture over the cake batter—don’t worry if it sinks, this is exactly what should happen during baking. Place the Bundt pan inside a larger roasting pan, and pour hot water into the larger pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the Bundt pan. This water bath helps cook the flan gently and evenly.
Step 5: Bake and Chill
Place the roasting pan carefully in the preheated oven and bake the cake for 60 to 75 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out clean. Remove the cake from the water bath and allow it to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating it for at least 4 hours or overnight. This chilling step is key to setting the flan custard and intensifying the flavors.
How to Serve Homemade Flan Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your flan cake experience, consider adding toppings like a dollop of freshly whipped cream, sliced fresh strawberries, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. These garnishes add a lovely contrast in texture and a pop of color that makes your plate look as good as the cake tastes.
Side Dishes
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce on the side complements the flan cake beautifully. For a lighter balance, a simple fresh fruit salad with citrus notes can cleanse the palate between bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive occasions, serve your flan cake with edible flowers or caramel shards on top for extra wow factor. You could also slice it into mini portions and place each on a dessert plate with a small garnish of mint and a drizzle of caramel syrup for an elegant presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and chilled, you can cover your Homemade Flan Cake Recipe tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, making it perfect for enjoying over several dessert occasions.
Freezing
While it’s best enjoyed fresh or chilled, you can freeze slices of flan cake by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve the custard’s creamy texture.
Reheating
If you prefer your flan cake slightly warm, gently reheat slices in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. Avoid overheating to prevent the custard from becoming rubbery. Alternatively, enjoy it straight from the fridge for that perfect chilled bite.
FAQs
Can I make this flan cake without a Bundt pan?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a Bundt pan, a deep round cake pan or even a springform pan will work. Just make sure it’s large enough to hold the batter and the flan mixture with space for the water bath. The classic Bundt shape just makes it extra special when unmolding.
What’s the secret to the flan and cake layering correctly?
The magic happens because the flan mixture is denser and sinks through the cake batter during baking, creating two perfectly distinct layers. Pouring the flan gently over the cake batter and using the water bath ensures even cooking and beautiful separation.
Can I make the flan cake chocolate instead of yellow cake?
Yes! When made with chocolate cake mix, it’s often called chocoflan and is equally delicious. Just swap the yellow cake mix for your favorite chocolate cake mix and follow the same steps for an irresistible twist.
How long should I let the flan cake chill before serving?
It’s best to refrigerate your flan cake for at least 4 hours, though overnight chilling is ideal. This resting time allows the flan to fully set and the caramel to develop its luscious flavor, so don’t skip this step.
Can I add other flavors to the cake or flan?
Definitely! Adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the cake batter or a pinch of cinnamon to the flan mix can enhance the flavor profile nicely. Just be sure not to overpower the classic vanilla and caramel notes that make this Homemade Flan Cake Recipe so special.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Flan Cake Recipe is a beautiful blend of simple ingredients and comforting flavors that come together to create a truly unforgettable dessert. Whether you’re sharing it with family or impressing guests, this flan cake offers something unique and satisfying in every forkful. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe—you’ll quickly see why it has captured hearts and taste buds alike!
Print
Homemade Flan Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Homemade Flan Cake Recipe combines a smooth, creamy caramel flan layered atop a moist yellow cake, baked together to create a classic Mexican dessert known for its luscious caramel topping and perfect separation of layers.
Ingredients
Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
Flan Mixture
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cake Batter
- 1 package (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the flan cake in a water bath.
- Make the Caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar while stirring constantly until it turns a golden-brown caramel color, then immediately pour it into a greased 12-cup Bundt pan, swirling to evenly coat the bottom.
- Prepare Flan Mixture: In a blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, 4 eggs, and vanilla extract; blend until smooth and set aside.
- Prepare Cake Batter: In a separate bowl, mix the yellow cake mix with 3 eggs, 1 cup water, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil according to package instructions.
- Layer Batter and Flan: Pour the prepared cake batter evenly over the caramel in the Bundt pan. Then carefully and gently pour the flan mixture over the cake batter to create distinct layers.
- Prepare Water Bath and Bake: Place the Bundt pan inside a larger roasting pan and fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the Bundt pan. Carefully transfer to the preheated oven and bake 60–75 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out clean.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the Bundt pan from the water bath and let the cake cool to room temperature. Refrigerate the flan cake for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
- Serve: Run a knife around the edges of the flan cake to loosen it, then invert onto a serving plate to reveal the caramel topping and layered flan and cake.
Notes
- Flan cake, or chocoflan when made with chocolate cake, separates beautifully into two distinct layers during baking.
- If the flan mixture sinks into the cake batter, it’s normal and part of the process.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the cake batter before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
