Heavenly French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Recipe

Silky smooth and decadently rich, this French Antilles coconut flan dances with tropical elegance on your palate.

Creamy coconut whispers Caribbean sunshine through every luxurious spoonful.

The dessert captures the essence of island indulgence with remarkable simplicity.

Condensed milk and fresh coconut merge into a sublime custard that melts effortlessly.

Delicate yet powerful, this classic recipe speaks of generations of culinary tradition.

Each bite transports you to sandy beaches and gentle ocean breezes.

You’ll fall in love with this effortless yet sophisticated dessert that promises pure tropical bliss.

Baking Tools for French Coconut Flan Prep

• Loaf Pan: Essential for shaping and baking the flan.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining flan ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Ideal for blending ingredients without lumps.
• Small Saucepan: Necessary for creating the golden caramel.
• Large Baking Dish: Used for creating a water bath during baking.
• Cooling Rack: Helps flan cool evenly at room temperature.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to loosen flan edges before unmolding.
• Plate: Required for flipping and serving the final dessert.

How to Make French Antilles Coconut Flan at Home

Coconut Cloud Delight

• Caramel Magic Golden Transformation

Sugar transforms into liquid gold in a saucepan. Watch carefully as sugar melts, shaking pan gently to ensure smooth caramelization. When color reaches warm amber, remove from heat immediately. Pour molten caramel into loaf pan, allowing it to cool and solidify.

• Creamy Coconut Symphony

Blend sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, eggs, vanilla, and shredded coconut in a large bowl. Whisk until ingredients dance together harmoniously. Gently pour mixture over hardened caramel layer.

• Water Bath Baking Technique

Nestle loaf pan inside larger baking dish. Fill surrounding area with water, creating a gentle warm environment. Bake until top turns soft golden and feels set when touched, approximately 50-55 minutes.

• Chilled Tropical Reveal

Allow flan to cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate for several hours until thoroughly chilled. To serve, briefly warm pan’s exterior in water. Carefully slide knife around edges. Flip onto serving plate with confident motion. Sprinkle additional coconut for tropical flair.

Tips for Texture and Caramel Depth

• Master the sugar-melting technique by using a light-colored pan to better track the caramel's color transformation without burning.
• Swap regular coconut milk with full-fat coconut cream for an even richer, more intense coconut flavor that elevates the dessert's tropical essence.
• Experiment with different coconut additions like toasted coconut flakes or coconut chips to introduce varying textures and a delightful crunch to the smooth flan.
• Add a splash of Caribbean rum to the flan mixture for an authentic French Antilles flavor profile that brings a subtle warmth and depth to the dessert.
• Keep the flan refrigerated and covered for up to 4 days, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify with each passing day, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings.

Serving Coconut Flan for Tropical Flavor

• Tropical Beach Picnic Companion: Pack this flan in a cooler with ice packs for a delightful seaside dessert that captures Caribbean summer vibes.
• Coconut Rum Accent: Drizzle a small amount of coconut rum or dark rum around the plated flan for an elegant adult version with sophisticated tropical notes.
• Fruit Medley Pairing: Serve alongside fresh mango slices, passion fruit, or grilled pineapple chunks to complement the creamy coconut flavor and add vibrant color to the dessert presentation.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Slice into small squares and serve with Caribbean-style hot coffee or herbal tea as a sweet midday treat that transports taste buds to French Antilles coastal regions.

Storing French Coconut Flan the Right Way

• Refrigerator Refresh Strategy: Store the flan in an airtight container to maintain its silky texture and prevent absorption of other food odors. Keep chilled for up to 4 days for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Advance Preparation Hack: This delightful dessert can be prepared one day before your gathering, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight. The make-ahead approach reduces last-minute kitchen stress.
• Portion Control Magic: Cut the flan into individual servings before storing, making it easy to enjoy quick sweet moments or serve unexpected guests. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying.
• Freezing Wisdom: While possible to freeze, the texture might slightly change. If freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and enjoy within one month for best quality.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50-55 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)

Calories: 284 kcal

Servings: 7

French Antilles Coconut Flan (Flan Coco) Ingredient List

• Sugar: Creates a luscious golden syrup that adds deep, rich sweetness and beautiful amber coating to the flan.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut Milk: Provides luxurious, silky texture and tropical richness that defines the classic Caribbean dessert.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together, creating smooth custard-like consistency and providing structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Shredded Coconut: Introduces delightful texture and authentic island-inspired coconut essence.

• Extra Shredded Coconut: Sprinkled on top for additional crunch and visual appeal, highlighting the dessert's tropical roots.

Silky French Antilles Coconut Flan

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy coconut flan from French Antilles blends tropical sweetness with rich custard. Caribbean culinary traditions shine through this delightful dessert you’ll savor with pure pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (100g) sugar
• 1 ½ cup + 1 tbsp (400ml/14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ¼ cup (300ml/10.15 fl oz) coconut milk (from a can)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (95g) unsweetened shredded coconut (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or seeds from ½ vanilla bean)

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Instructions

1. Caramel Creation: Melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling gently until it transforms into a deep amber liquid. Remove immediately from heat to prevent burning.
2. Pan Preparation: Spread the molten caramel evenly across the base of a loaf pan, allowing it to cool and form a glossy, hardened layer.
3. Mixture Fusion: Blend coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and shredded coconut in a large bowl until smooth and thoroughly combined.
4. Water Bath Assembly: Position the loaf pan inside a larger baking dish, then fill the outer dish with water reaching one-quarter up the loaf pan’s sides. Pour the coconut mixture over the caramel layer, ensuring uniform distribution.
5. Baking Transformation: Place the water bath in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C). Bake for 50-55 minutes until the surface turns golden and feels set when gently touched.
6. Cooling Process: Remove the flan from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least three hours to achieve optimal texture and flavor melding.
7. Serving Presentation: Briefly submerge the loaf pan in warm water to loosen the caramel. Run a knife along the edges, then confidently invert onto a serving plate in one swift motion. Sprinkle additional shredded coconut as a final garnish before presenting this French Antilles delicacy.

Notes

• Caramelize with Care: Watch sugar transform slowly and swirl gently to prevent burning, creating a perfect amber-colored caramel without stirring.
• Water Bath Wisdom: Use hot water reaching one-quarter up the pan’s sides to ensure even, gentle baking and prevent cracking in the delicate custard.
• Chilling is Crucial: Refrigerate for at least three hours to allow the flan to set completely and develop a rich, smooth texture that holds its shape.
• Inversion Technique: Run a knife around edges and briefly dip pan in warm water to help release the flan smoothly onto the serving plate without breaking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French Antilles

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 284
• Sugar: 33g
• Sodium: 60mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 89mg