Flan de Coco (Coconut Flan) Recipe

Flan de Coco, also known as coconut flan, is a popular dessert originating in Latin America and now becoming famous worldwide. It is a delicious creamy custard dessert combining vanilla, eggs, milk, and coconut flavors. 

The dish is usually baked in a water bath in the oven and served chilled. What makes Flan de Coco unique is its rich texture and taste, which comes from the blend of ingredients used to make it.

The dessert is often decorated with caramel sauce or shredded coconut to add more flavor and texture. Flan de Coco is a great way to end any meal and can also be served as an after-dinner treat.

Flan de Coco

Indulge in the heavenly tropical flavors of Flan de Coco! This creamy flan was known as “tyro patina” in various places, especially back in Ancient Rome, and was made with milk and honey. Over time, this recipe evolved into the custard dessert that we know and love today. 

Flan de Coco has become a popular variation of the classic flan recipe. The creamy texture and sweet taste of flan de Coco make it a beloved dessert worldwide. 

Many people enjoy shredded coconut's added flavor and texture on top of the custard or paired with caramel sauce. Flan de Coco is a delightful dessert with a unique twist on a classic treat.

You might enjoy these flan recipes:

• Flan de Queso Recipe
• Instant Pot Flan de Calabaza (Pumpkin Flan)
• Instant Pot Puerto Rican Flan Recipe

What is Flan de Coco made of?

Flan de Coco is a delicious dessert made of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and coconut milk. Often incorporating shredded coconut for added texture, this Latin American and Spanish treat features a smooth, velvety custard base with a thin layer of caramel on top, resulting in a perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and subtle coconut flavor.

Where Did Coconut Flan Originate?

Flan de Coco is believed to have originated in Latin America. Coconut is a popular ingredient in many Latin American countries, and variations of the dessert can be found throughout the region.

Flan itself has roots in ancient Rome, and the dessert was likely brought to Latin America by Spanish colonizers and adapted to include local ingredients like coconut milk.

Today, this flan is enjoyed in Latin America and many other parts of the world. Its creamy texture, rich flavor, and caramelized topping make it a favorite dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients To Make Coconut Flan

The ingredients used to make Flan de Coco are simple and few. Here are the following ingredients you will need for this recipe. It has a prep time of 15 minutes and a cook time of 40 minutes.

For the caramel:

• Sugar– is used to make the caramel sauce that coats the bottom of the pan or ramekins before the custard mixture is poured in.
• Water 

For the flan 

• Sugar
• Coconut milk – is the star ingredient of flan de coco, giving it a distinct flavor and creamy texture.
• Eggs – help to give the flan its silky-smooth texture and help to bind the other ingredients together.
• Shredded coconut – used as a garnish on top

How to make Flan de Coco?

Since we’ve gathered all the needed ingredients, it's time to create this delicious coconut flan.

• Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
• Next is to prepare the caramel. In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir the water and sugar. Once all the ingredients are incorporated, stop mixing.
• Cook until the caramel turns a beautiful light brown color. Making caramel is finicky, so ensure you are not mixing too much, or sugar crystals will form.
• Pour the caramel into the baking pan and spread with the help of a spatula. Make sure the caramel covers the whole pan.
• Now it’s time to prepare the flan. With the help of an immersion blender or blender, combine the sugar, coconut milk, and eggs until creamy and smooth.
• Then add the shredded coconut and combine once more. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
• After that, prepare a water bath. Place the baking pan into a larger baking pan. Then, fill the larger pan with hot water until around ½ full.
• Finally, please take it to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until done. If you can, give the flan 2 hours to set before serving.