Homemade recipes for Spanish desserts, flan, and custard

Spanish pastries incorporate all kinds of traditional flavors that have been passed down from generation to generation. Among the most iconic desserts are flan and custard, two delicacies that share similar ingredients but present distinct textures and nuances. These are two homemade recipes so you can enjoy both desserts.

Homemade Flan Recipe

Ingredients:

500 ml whole milk
4 eggs
100 g sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Liquid caramel (can be homemade or store-bought)

For the homemade caramel:

100 g sugar
2 tablespoons water
A few drops of lemon juice

Preparation:

Prepare the caramel:

In a small saucepan, add the sugar, water, and lemon. Heat over medium heat without stirring (you can swirl the saucepan gently). In a few minutes, the sugar will begin to melt and turn golden. When golden, quickly pour it into the bottom of a flan dish or individual molds. Let it cool to harden.

Mix the flan ingredients:

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until combined. Add the warm milk and vanilla extract. Mix gently to avoid incorporating too much air.

Pour into the molds:

Pour the mixture into the caramelized mold(s), straining it through a sieve if you want a smoother result.

Cook in a bain-marie:

Place the molds in a dish with hot water (up to half the filling) and bake at 160°C for 45-50 minutes. The flan is ready when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let it cool and unmold:

Let it cool at room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. To unmold, run a knife around the edge and carefully invert it onto a plate.

Homemade Custard Recipe

Ingredients:

500 ml whole milk
4 egg yolks
100 g sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
1 cinnamon stick
Zest of one lemon (yellow part only)
Marie cookies
Ground cinnamon for decoration

Preparation:

Flavor the milk:

In a saucepan, heat the milk with the cinnamon stick and lemon zest. When it begins to boil, remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes. Then strain to remove the solids.

Mix the egg yolks and sugar:

Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is pale. If you want a thicker custard, add the cornstarch dissolved in a little cold milk.

Cook gently:

Gradually pour the hot milk over the egg yolks, stirring constantly to prevent them from curdling. Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat over very low heat, stirring constantly. It´s very important that it doesn´t boil to prevent curdling.

Thicken and cool:

When the mixture has thickened slightly (it coats the back of a spoon), remove from heat.

Serve:

Pour into individual bowls, place a cookie on top of each custard, and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Let it cool first at room temperature and then in the refrigerator.

Royal homemade custard 100 gr.€2.58Flan classic Mandarin 30 gr.€2.74Maizena Flanín El Niño 195 gr.€2.99

Tips and Variations

You can substitute the milk with a plant-based drink if you need a lactose-free version.
Adding a little orange zest adds a pleasant citrus touch to both the flan and the custard.
For a creamier flan, try using evaporated milk or cream mixed with the milk.
If you want a more compact flan, use only egg yolks instead of whole eggs.
Custard can be transformed into a delicious custard by simply adding more cornstarch and letting it chill longer.

The importance of continuing to enjoy traditional desserts

Flan and custard aren´t just desserts; they´re childhood memories, family snacks, and simple celebrations that always end with a smile. Their vanilla aroma, smooth texture, and balanced sweetness make every spoonful evoke the warmth of home.

Today, even though life moves at a different pace, the taste of authenticity is still important. That´s why products like those in the Royal range offer a practical option without sacrificing the pleasure of homemade flavor. Enjoying a flan or custard doesn´t have to require hours in the kitchen; just choose the ingredients carefully, follow a few simple steps, and let the aromas do the rest.

Don´t have time? Try Royal Flan and Custard

At Your Spanish Shop, we understand that there isn´t always time to prepare desserts from scratch, which is why we offer quick and delicious solutions like Royal products. Both Royal flan and Royal custard retain the traditional flavor we love, but are prepared in just minutes. All you need is milk and a few simple instructions, and you´ll have a homemade dessert without the hassle.

Fancy a smooth caramel flan or vanilla-flavored custard ready to serve? With Royal, it´s possible. Plus, you can add your personal touch: a Maria cookie, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or lemon zest. At Your Spanish Shop, we bring these Spanish classics directly to your home, with the quality guarantee of a trusted brand.

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