There is something truly magical about a silky, smooth caramel flan that melts in your mouth and leaves you craving just one more bite. This Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe brings all that enchantment together without using any animal products, delivering a creamy, luscious dessert that everyone can enjoy. With rich caramel notes and a delicate custard texture crafted from coconut milk and vegan cream cheese, this flan feels indulgent yet light, perfect for sharing with family or impressing friends at your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to this beautiful Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays its part—whether adding creaminess, sweetness, or that signature velvety texture—resulting in a dessert that’s both fuss-free and utterly satisfying.
- Granulated sugar: This forms the base for your rich caramel with its deep amber hue and slightly burnt sweetness.
- Water: Helps dissolve the sugar evenly for smooth caramelization without crystals.
- Evaporated coconut milk: Adds luscious creaminess and a subtle tropical hint to the custard.
- Sweetened condensed coconut milk: Brings natural sweetness and thick texture to the flan’s custard layer.
- Non-dairy milk (oat, almond, or soy): Provides fluidity and balances richness without overpowering flavors.
- Vegan cream cheese: Gives the custard a silky mouthfeel and slight tang for depth.
- Cornstarch: Ensures the custard sets perfectly with just the right firmness.
- Agar-agar powder: A plant-based gelatin alternative that helps the flan hold together beautifully.
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Infuses warm, aromatic sweetness elevating the custard’s flavor.
- Sea salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the sweetness of the caramel and custard.
- Vegan butter (cold and cubed): Adds richness and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
How to Make Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Caramelize the Sugar
First, get your flanera or an 8-inch cake pan ready by setting it on a tray — this will catch any drips later on. Then melt the sugar with water on low heat, stirring just until dissolved. Once dissolved, turn the heat up without stirring to let the sugar develop a gorgeous deep amber caramel color. Keep a close eye to avoid burning, gently swirling the pan to caramelize evenly, and once perfect, pour it swiftly into the pan so it sets into a glossy layer.
Step 2: Blend the Custard Ingredients
Next, combine your evaporated coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, chosen non-dairy milk, vegan cream cheese, cornstarch, agar-agar powder, vanilla, and sea salt in a high-speed blender. Blend until impeccably smooth—it’s this silky blend that forms the velvety custard base that makes this Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe unforgettable.
Step 3: Cook the Custard
Pour the blended custard into a saucepan to gently heat over medium. As it warms, whisk continually to prevent sticking or lumps. When it begins to simmer and thicken after about 5 minutes, you’ll see it transform into the perfect custard consistency. The key here is steady attention—use a whisk and spatula to keep the texture smooth and luscious.
Step 4: Incorporate the Vegan Butter
Once cooked, pass the hot custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl containing cold vegan butter cubes. Whisk together until the butter melts and blends in seamlessly, enriching the custard with a creamy, dreamy finish. Let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes with occasional whisking to avoid that pesky skin forming on top.
Step 5: Assemble and Chill
Pour the custard evenly over your set caramel. Smooth the top to create that iconic flan appearance, then cover it with clingfilm and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. This chilling time is crucial—it allows the flan to set fully, developing its signature wobbly yet firm texture and intensifying the flavors.
Step 6: Unmold and Serve
When ready to enjoy, carefully run a sharp knife around the flan’s edges to loosen it gently. Place a serving plate on top, invert the pan, and slowly lift it away to reveal the glossy flan with its caramel sauce cascading down the sides. This dramatic unmolding moment is part of the fun and magic of savoring this Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe.
How to Serve Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle some toasted toasted coconut flakes or crushed pistachios on top to add delightful crunch and visual appeal. Fresh berries like raspberries or sliced figs provide a pop of color and fruity brightness that complements the caramel richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a simple fresh fruit salad for a refreshing balance. A cup of robust coffee or spiced chai tea can also enhance the dessert experience by offering contrasting warm, aromatic notes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning dessert platter, slice the flan into neat wedges and plate with drizzles of coconut caramel syrup or a dusting of cinnamon. You could also serve small individual portions in clear cups layered with vegan whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed nuts for a parfait-style twist on this classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once made, this flan keeps beautifully refrigerated for 1 to 2 days. Keep it covered and stored in the mold or an airtight container to preserve its delicate texture and prevent it from drying out.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s not ideal as the custard’s texture can become grainy upon thawing. For best results, enjoy your flan fresh within a couple of days after chilling.
Reheating
Reheating is not recommended for this dessert, as its creaminess shines when served cold. If you prefer it slightly less chilled, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I use other types of non-dairy milk?
Absolutely! Oat, almond, or soy milk all work wonderfully in this Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe. Just choose the one you prefer or have on hand, as it slightly alters the flavor but not the outcome.
What is agar-agar powder, and why is it necessary?
Agar-agar powder is a seaweed-derived gelatin substitute that helps this vegan flan set firm yet jiggly, mimicking traditional flan without using animal products.
Can I make this flan without vegan cream cheese?
The vegan cream cheese adds richness and creaminess, but you might substitute silken tofu or cashew cream. This will change the texture slightly but still yield a tasty dessert.
How long should the caramel cool before adding custard?
Allow the caramel to cool and harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This ensures a firm base that holds well when pouring the custard on top.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients in this Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe are naturally gluten-free, making it a safe choice for those avoiding gluten.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe is a shining example of how plant-based baking can elevate classic desserts to new heights. Its smooth, creamy custard paired with buttery caramel sauce is simply irresistible. I cannot wait for you to try making this at home and delight in the smiles it brings to your table. Trust me, once you taste it, this flan will become one of your all-time favorite vegan desserts.
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Vegan Caramel Flan Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Flan is a creamy, dairy-free dessert that perfectly mimics the rich texture and caramel flavor of traditional flan using plant-based ingredients. Made with coconut milk, vegan cream cheese, and flavored with vanilla, this flan sets with agar-agar for a smooth, silky custard. It’s caramelized to perfection and refrigerated overnight for the best taste and texture, making it a delightful vegan treat suitable for gatherings and special occasions.
Ingredients
Caramel
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 30 ml water
Custard
- 360 ml evaporated coconut milk
- 250 g sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 200 ml non-dairy milk (oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk)
- 200 g vegan cream cheese
- 40 g cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons agar-agar powder (NOT agar flakes)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 60 g vegan butter (cold and cubed)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Place a 21cm/8-inch flanera or a similar-sized cake pan (without a removable base) on a tray and set aside to catch any overflow.
- Make the caramel: In a saucepan over low heat, dissolve sugar and water by stirring continuously. Increase heat to medium-high without stirring and watch carefully as the mixture boils and changes from pale to deep amber caramel color. Swirl gently to caramelize evenly, then remove from heat.
- Pour caramel into mold: Quickly pour the caramel into the flanera or cake pan and allow it to cool at room temperature until hardened, about 30 minutes.
- Blend custard ingredients: Combine evaporated coconut milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk, non-dairy milk, vegan cream cheese, cornstarch, agar-agar powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt in a high-speed blender; blend until smooth.
- Cook custard: Pour the blended custard mixture into a saucepan and heat over medium, bringing it to a simmer while whisking constantly to prevent burning. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened and creamy, then remove from heat.
- Strain custard and mix with butter: Place cold cubed vegan butter in a large bowl and set a fine-mesh sieve over it. Pour custard through sieve into butter bowl and whisk until smooth and creamy. Let cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, whisking every 5 minutes to prevent skin formation.
- Assemble flan: Pour the custard evenly over the set caramel in the mold and smooth the surface with a spoon or offset spatula. Let cool to room temperature, then cover with clingfilm and refrigerate for 12-24 hours until fully set.
- Unmold flan: Before serving, carefully run a sharp knife about 1 inch deep around the pan’s inner edge to loosen the custard. Avoid cutting deeper to maintain the flan’s smooth appearance.
- Serve: Place a large serving plate atop the pan, invert the mold carefully, and slowly lift the pan off to release the flan. The caramel will cascade elegantly down the sides.
- Storage tips: For best flavor and texture, consume within 1-2 days of setting. Keep flan refrigerated and do not unmold until just before serving. Preparing one day ahead is recommended.
Notes
- Use a flanera or cake pan without a removable base to avoid leaks during caramel pouring.
- Do not stir caramel after sugar dissolves; swirling helps prevent crystallization.
- Cold vegan butter is essential to be whisked into the hot custard for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Continuous whisking during cooking and cooling prevents lumps and skin formation.
- Allow adequate refrigeration time for proper flan setting and flavor development.
- The recipe uses agar-agar powder for vegan-friendly gelling; do not substitute with agar flakes.
