Coffee Flan is a super smooth dessert that melts in the mouth! It is easy to make very delicious, and there is no need for baking. As you can imagine this Coffee Flan is full of coffee flavor, a dream dessert for coffee enthusiasts. It is a delightful Spanish dessert that’s perfect for ending a nice meal!
Coffee Flan Recipe
I made this flan with instant coffee, and it turned out as expected a silky smooth flan bursting with coffee flavor, soaked in a sweet caramel sauce.
This Spanish dessert is a wonderful twist on the classic flan. It is so easy to make at home and the best thing is you don't need to use the oven. I have made individual custard cups but you can prepare a big one if you prefer that.
Flan has always been one of my favorite desserts. Growing up in Spain, it was a treat we had often, and I’ve loved it ever since. There’s something so satisfying about scooping out a bite with a spoon. It’s the kind of dessert you want to savor every bite.
Since I’m a huge coffee fan too, it is not a surprise that coffee flan is one of my favorites. If you give this recipe a try, you’ll not only impress your family but also enjoy the perfect dessert for an afternoon coffee break. It’s a win-win!
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Coffee Flan Recipe
- Easy Ingredients: With just eggs, milk, sugar, instant coffee, and lemon juice, you can whip up a fancy dessert that uses pantry staples. Your guests will be impressed!
- Personal Touch: Feel free to customize the recipe! Try different flavored coffees or add spices like cinnamon or vanilla to make it your own.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this dessert in advance and store it in the fridge. Letting it sit helps the flavors develop, so it’s ready to enjoy whenever you need it.
- Beautiful Presentation: Flan looks stunning with its glossy caramel layer and smooth finish, making it a showstopper for any gathering.
🧾Coffee Flan Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Coffee Flan:
For the Caramel:
- Sugar: I love using granulated sugar for caramel. When heated, it melts into a golden syrup that adds a rich, toffee-like flavor to your dessert.
- Water: A little water helps the sugar melt evenly and prevents it from burning too quickly. It makes for smoother caramel, which is always a win!
- Lemon Juice: Just a splash of lemon juice keeps the sugar from crystallizing and adds a nice tang that balances out the sweetness.
For the Flan:
- Milk: I prefer whole milk for that creamy richness. It gives the flan its moisture and smooth texture. You can even swap in some double cream for an extra indulgent treat!
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the flan and enhances its flavor while helping to keep that lovely smooth texture.
- Eggs: Fresh, room-temperature eggs are a must! They provide structure and a silky creaminess that makes the flan so delicious. The yolks add even more richness.
- Instant Coffee Powder: I use instant coffee for an extra kick of flavor. It pairs beautifully with the sweetness and creaminess of the other ingredients. If you prefer, you can swap it for espresso coffee for a stronger taste.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Coffee Flan
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
How to Make Caramel:
1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and lemon juice. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns golden brown.
2. Gently pour caramel sauce into glasses and let it cool and harden.
How to Make Flan:
1. In a large bowl, mix the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, milk, and dissolved instant coffee until well combined.
2. Pour the flan mixture through a sieve into a jug, then carefully fill the glasses. Cover the glasses tightly with aluminum foil.
3. Create a water bath by filling a bigger pan with water.
4. Put the glasses in the pan and cook on low-medium heat for about 15 minutes.
5. Take the glasses out of the pan, remove the aluminum foil, and let them cool to room temperature.
6. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Put a plate on the flan, flip it over, and gently lift off the glass.
📖Variations
- Spice It Up: Feel free to add spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, or vanilla for a burst of flavor.
- Add a Pinch of Salt: Just a little salt can really bring out the sweetness of the caramel.
- Mix in Cocoa Powder: If you love chocolate, add 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the custard for an extra rich taste.
- Creamy Delight: For a richer texture, try adding some cream cheese to the mix.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Avoid Overmixing: When whisking the eggs and milk, mix just until they’re combined. Overmixing adds too much air, which can create bubbles and ruin the smooth texture.
Strain the Mixture: After whisking, strain the flan mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl or jug. This helps remove any bits of egg and ensures a silky-smooth flan.
Cover Tightly: When placing the flan glasses in the water bath, cover them well with aluminum foil. This keeps condensation from dripping into your flan.
Cool Gradually: Let the flan cool at room temperature before putting it in the fridge. This slow cooling helps keep that creamy texture just right.
Storage: If you have leftovers, wrap the coffee flan tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.
🍮More Custard and Pudding Recipes!
If you're loving this Coffee Flan, you'll also adore these tasty custard and pudding recipes:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.
📖 Recipe
Coffee Flan
Ingredients
Caramel
- 150 g Sugar
- 40 ml Water
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Flan
- 750 ml Milk
- 180 g Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 3 Egg Yolks
- 2 tablespoon Instant Coffee
Instructions
How to Make Caramel
- In a small saucepan, add sugar, water, and lemon juice, and bring to a gentle boil until sugar is completely dissolved and cook until the mixture is golden brown syrup.
- Carefully pour caramel sauce into glasses. Set aside and allow to cool and harden.
How to Make Flan
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, milk, and instant coffee dissolved with a little water, and whisk together until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Pour and sieve the flan mixture into a jug and then carefully pour the flan mixture into glasses. Cover glasses tightly with aluminium foil.
- Make a water bath by pouring water into a larger pan.
- Place glasses inside the pan and cook for around 15 min on low-medium heat.
- Remove glasses from the pan and then remove aluminium foil and let them cool to room temperature.
- Place into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Place a plate on top of the flan, flip it over, and carefully lift off the glass.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
OMG, this coffee flan is EVERYTHING! So creamy and the coffee flavor is perfect