This delicious Cuban Flan Recipe or Flan Cubano is a huge hit wherever and whenever I take it. Find out how easy it is to make this Cuban dessert!
My husband has a restaurant here in town and one of our best selling dessert is the “Cuban Flan”(amongst my million other duties) I have to make about 3 every 3-4 days so it keeps me busy. I decided to “show you”how I make it.
For those of you not familiar with this dessert, it’s literally a cooked custard that is then refrigerated. It is very sweet and rich but so delicious. I am part Mexican/Part Cuban so I can honestly say the Cuban version is so much better.
The Mexican one is a little waterier and not as sweet and rich. We usually serve it with a side of Shaved coconut in syrup. This is such an addictive dessert filled with a creamy, custardy texture yet cool delicious and sweet.
It’s the one Cuban dessert my kids can’t get enough of and ask for quite often. 
I’ve always felt like making flan is one of those recipes that remind me of riding a bike. You can make it for a while and know how to do it , then stop making it and once you try it again it all just flows.
The important thing with a flan recipe is how you beat the mixture. If you beat too much it will come out way too watery and thin, if you don’t beat enough it will be lumpy. There’s something about getting it right that may take some practice.
It took me years of watching my grandmother make this recipe then failing at it miserably the first few times. That being said once you get the recipe just right once, it’s a winner! So head below and check out how to make this Traditional Cuban Flan recipe.
Traditional Cuban Flan recipe
Here is the caramelized sugar in the pan. Some like it darker I like it on the lighter side.
Mix the milks, and rest of the ingredients in a food processor 
Let it cool completely and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours- overnight.
Once it’s done cooking refrigerate for a few hours until cold and then cut along edge and flip over onto serving dish.
*You can use a pie dish or any other rounded cooking dish as long as it’s covered on the top.
This is a rich dessert that is sure to be the hit at any party. It’s intense and unique flavors make it an addictive treat! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Looking for other great traditional Cuban Recipes? Check out my Pastelitos de Guayaba here
* You can use a pie dish or any other rounded dish just make sure and cover the flan when baking in water bath.Cuban Flan Recipe (Flan Cubano)
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
This recipe came out amazing! I think I got too excited and flipped it over too soon (maybe 2hrs after it was in the fridge) because some of the hardened caramel stayed in the pan. Did I rush or is that normal?
Sometimes that happens. It depends on how you caramelized the sugar 🙂
A dear friend of mine always brought flan to our pot lucks. I’ve never tried making it but this looks easy enough.
This looks like a good recipe. As we all have our ways as a Cuban I can tell you no cooking if milk or covering is necessary. I use 10 to 12 egg yolks and 2 cans of sweet condensed milk and a can of evaporated to make a 10 or 12 inch round. Yes, to ‘un baño de Maria.’ This is a foundational recipe; can add a can of coco Lopez or pumpkin etc to change it up. All rich and very creamy. It does need a pinch of salt and cinnamon is optional. Prefer hint of fresh lemon. It is very simple. Making the caramel is the only pain! I do like the idea of a flan pan. Very cool.
Bea, your recipe sounds like my mom’s, she passed away a month ago from dementia and never wrote the recipe down….I’m so sad and want to make it for 4th of July as it was her tradition. Is that the complete recipe? Can you share with me please.
I truly LOVE flan! This looks like a delicious and easy to make recipe. Pinning yet another one of your recipes! 🙂
Thank you for the recipe. I have been wanting to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
this sounds good=====could you make me some and fed-ex them to me==hehe
We love flan in this house! This recipe kicks butt!
I have never baked this or tasted this before. Sounds easy enough to make and looks delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe, I think I will try and make one tonorrow. And thank you for including pictures also, they are great to refer to especially for a first time user of the recipe!
Mmmmmm!! I may be one of the weird ones but I love flan!! Never tried cuban flan but Im up for anything!! I’ll have to try this great recipe soon!!
This looks really dellicious and also easy to make, thanks a lot for sharing the recipe!
This looks so good and seems fairly easy to make! Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe with us!!
These look and sound great !!
I absolutely love this recipe. I’ve made it a few times. The first time, I think I burnt the sugar a bit. It does get easier though. Just takes practice.
Yum! Looks great! And it’s gluten free too!!
This sounds so good, I have only had it once, and I loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
I made this actually a couple of times now. It’s delicious. Yes, you did warn that it’s addictive!
I’ve always wanted to try making flan from scratch, so now I have a recipe. The instant flan boxes at the grocery store just aren’t the same 🙂
This recipe is going to end up in front of my husband this weekend!!
That looks and sounds delicious. I love custard, especially if it’s very sweet.
I love flan. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I cannot wait to try making this.
Ohhh! That looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing!
I order Flan sometimes when we go out to eat…can’t talk my wife into trying to make it though…
Does anyone know if soy milk would work for this?
I’ve never actually had flan before. I’ve heard about it several times but have never tried it. Looks really good. I’ll have to give this a try.
It looks delicious! I wish I had some whole milk on hand!
This is my favorite desert.
I have heard of Flan before, however, never tried it! From your recipe, it looks good and it’s not overly hard to make! I have a large sweet tooth (which is probably why I’m a diabetic) and you said this is a “sweet desert” ! This means That I would most likely like it! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe with all of us! I truly do appreciate it! Thanks again, Michele 🙂
This looks delicious, and doesn’t seem that difficult to make. Thanks!
I did not know there was a Mexican & a Cuban flan. I must have had the Mexican Flan before when we ate at a Mexican restaurant – which I did like. So if the Cuban flan is better, I would love to try it. I have never made either, but I am going to PIN it. Thanks!!
Custards scare me. I have tried and tried to make a good custard, but I never get a good result- either it’s gummy or the thing curdles.
This looks amazoing and easy to make
You make this look so easy. I’m going to keep my eyes open for a flan pan, it looks like you need one to make this recipe. I’m wondering if this could be made with coconut milk as I’ve given up dairy. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve had flan in many places and liked it. Want to try your recipe. Thanks.
I’ve had this at a restaurant and is delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe, I may be ambitious enough to try to make it for my family.
Oh yummy! II love flan! I’ve never tried making it at home before but maybe I’ll get brave and give it a try. Thanks so much for the recipe.
I think I am going to give this a try but in individual servings. I have a rice cooker with a steamer basket and a few individual covered dessert dishes. My husband talks wistfully about the flan his grandmother used to make it would be a nice little surprise for him if it works out 🙂
I love Flan!! This recipe looks good enough to eat, lol. I will definitely be making this in the near future.
that looks so good
I have never tried flan before, but this looks so good and not that hard to make! I will have to make it sometime! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Never had this but it sure looks interesting. Would love to try it. I hope you put more recipes up on here. Very different.
I was introduced to Flan at Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando years ago. I never knew! Now if I could just find a recipe for Tiramisu.
YUM! Looks amazing! Hope I don’t mess it up! 🙂
I’ve never had flan but this looks good!
I love flan and can’t wait to give Cuban Flan a try. Thanks for the recipe!
That’s beautiful. I think I’ve had flan only once in my life. This needs to be made stat! =)
I would love to try this at my next dinner party!
this looks delicious!
My friend from Puerto Rico used to make flan all the time! I miss it–it’s delicious!
I love flan but have never tried to make it. This is a recipe that is easy to follow. I do believe I will try and make it !
My mothers favorite dessert is Flan and I’ve always wanted to make it for her! I’ll be saving this recipe for later 🙂 Looks amazing!
this looks amazing!!!!!
Wow this looks incredibly delicious! I usually don’t like custard desserts but this one makes me want to try it.
This is Beautiful looks like a lot of work and I bet its wonderful to taste this. Thank you, Jerri Davis
Never had flan… don’t know if I would love it or hate it! It always looked kind of weird to me. This recipes makes me want to give it a go though.
I Absolutely LOVE Flan; If I Could Only Have 1 Food for the Rest of My Life than I would Pick Flan! I don’t know why I Love it So Much! It’s So Creamy but it Isn’t Too Rich, you know? I Think I will have to try this Recipe Out; there are So Many Different Variations of this Recipe! Some People Use Evaporated Milk, Some Use Cream or Half-n-Half! Some People Use Cinnamon in there Recipe, although I prefer Mine Without! I Like the Traditional Caramel Flan! I would Like to Maybe try to Make this Recipe in the Fall b/c I have a Recipe for Pumpkin Flan! I haven’t had a Flan that I didn’t Like but I prefer the Original Recipe! Your Recipe sounds Delicious and I will Let you know how it turns out when I make it! Thanks a Bunch & God Bless! Jana
Looks great! YUM!
Thank you for all the pictures and the steps for the flan. I love flan and will try and make it!!
Flan is one my top favorite desserts!! Love it!! And yours looks so delicious!
Riqusimo!!!!! I absolutely love flan. Since we don’t eat anything from a chicken (I know weird huh!) I always use quail eggs.
This looks AMAZING!!!! I have never made a flan, but I am totally inspired to try now!
This looks absolutely delicious! I’m going to have to make this sometime soon
I’ve had this only once! A lady who was Cuban that I worked with made it and brought some to work for me to try, I fell in love with it immediately but never new the recipe! Thanks so much for posting this, it will be getting made this coming weekend!
This looks amazing.My mouth is watering. I Love Flan but I have never tried to make it thinking it was extremely complicated. This looks so easy but of course getting it out of the pan will be the hard part. 🙂 But in all honestly , if it falls apart I don’ care as log as it’s cooked, I’ll eat it out of the pan with a spoon. lol
Thanks for the pics and sharing this recipe.
Carol L
That looks delicious! After my whole 30 challenge I am going to give this a try. I love flan.
Oh wow, I know my husband would love this!
ive never tried this before but boy does that look yu,mmy!
My favorite! Thanks for the recipe!
Looks delicious! I love Flan!!
comment 1.. thought it was above my skill level, comment 2…. found I had a flan pan so I was going to try this… comment 3… I tried and I was right in comment 1… UGH, I guess since I have the pans I’ll try again. It looks sooooo good. I am just not a cook.
Love flan!
YUMM !! I want this for dessert, will try to make this sometime soon
I would love to try this thanks for the recipe. I have never tried flan before but this looks fairly easy to make. I hope mine comes out as great as yours.
This looks incredibly delicious, I will have to try it, flan for my man lol
WOW! This looks incredible! Thank you for sharing,
Now I’m really excited. I looked and realized I own a flan pan and I’d never ever used it. Guess what I’m going to do. It WON”T come out like this but I hope it is at least edible.
We love flan here! Thank you for the recipe and great pictures. This sounds easy and fun to try. Going on the menu!
This looks so good! I love flan!
I think I’ll come to your house to eat this. It is above my skill level however not above my eating level.
I’ll have to share this with my mother, she loves flan. Maybe we’ll make it during my next visit.
Flan has always been one of my favorite desserts when eating out, but I’ve never tried making it at home. But this recipe looks pretty easy, so I will now give it a try!
Never tried this before, looks SO DELICIOUS !!!
Looks delicious!
Oh my, this look heavenly, I must try this recipe! thank you for sharing
Flan at home is so decadent! I wish I had seen this in time for Cinco de Mayo. Will pin it for the weekend instead! 🙂
One of my FAVORITES. I’d be timid to try it myself, but think it looks amazing!
This looks absolutely delicious! 🙂 Sounds simple enough, but it still intimidated! lol
This looks so good! I bet it would be delicious after a meal of Mexican food!
This looks so yummy! I’m going to try and make it this weekend
I love flan! This looks absolutely divine! I’ve tried to make it before and it didn’t turn out for me, I think you have to have a knack for it.
OMG this looks so delicious and fairly simple to make!
I LOVE FLAN. Although only my Puerto Rican friends have made it for me so far so this will have to be next on my list!
That looks amazing! I tried making flan once for spanish class in high school. It didn’t turn out lol.
Must comment I’ve never tried a flan! Looks delicious! I’m going to pin this and give it a try. Thank you for sharing!
I am going to have to try out this recipe.. Flan is one of my favorite desserts
This looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us.
I may have to try this one… it’s making me hungry
This looks great!
I love flan but have not had Cuban flan. Looks amazing! I might be brave enough to try to make it. Thanks for sharing!
This looks and sounds amazing. I have had other flans but would love to try yours.
I’ve never eaten one of these, but if it’s addictive…I’m sure it is delicious 🙂
This looks so delicious! I think I will try , thank you very much for the recipe and having it so easy to follow 🙂
This is wonderful! Flan has always been a favorite of mine, but I always assumed it was fairly difficult to make because I’ve only seen it at restaurants. Now I know how to whip up my own, and I am SO grateful!!!
I’ve always been a fan of plan. I’ve only , to date had a packaged variety of this dessert. Hopefully, now that I have a recipe I can make this treat for myself.
I love flan. Now I know how to make it myself!
I’ve never tried Flan before and I must say I’m a little intimidated by this. Hope I can pull it off with this recipe.
Oh my goodness this flan looks so good! I have always been too intimidated to try to make a custard of any kind, but seeing the step by step directions makes me want to try it. I can’t be that hard, right?
I love collecting recipes, and this looks delicious, and not too difficult to acquire. Wish me luck!
I love flan! i’ll have to try this recipe! I also love the step by step directions with pictures!
This looks amazing!
These is very similar to the Mexican flan, so easy to make and yummy.
I ALWAYS add a piece go cream cheese and make it more creamy and more yummy. You should try.
YUM!!! I haven’t made flan since 2008! A guy I dated while living in Florida taught me how! I need to get on this STAT!
My husband likes Flan I never have eaten any. I should surprise him with it one day.
This looks wonderful, so much fun too!
this looks amazing..can’t wait to make it!
This looks amazing!
I have been so curious about flan! I’ve never even tried it before but I’m interested in making it. Definitely trying this recipe.
I can’t believe the foods I think are so hard to make are very simple sometimes, this is a must try, to easy not to
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
See, this is why I love reading posts! I learn something new everyday. This looks so good, but I really kind of suck in the kitchen. Especially when it has to do with boiling milk, or caramelizing anything! It actually looks like something I might be able to do….so I’m going to try it! Thank you very much for the recipe!
This sounds amazing! It brings back many memories of my childhood! I can’t wait to make this with my daughters! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds magnificent. I can’t wait to give it a try!
This looks delicious! Unfortunately the only flan I have ever had was at a restaurant one time. I’m certain it came out of a box and it was not good. I suppose that as with most things, it is probably much better made at home!
This looks so delicious and so yummy, i don’t think i have ever tried something like this.. will definitely have to give it a try 🙂 thanks for such a great post @tisonlyme143
Any more recipes let us know 😉
I have never had Flan but guess I will be trying it sounds pretty good
Thank you for this Recipe I really am happy to get it Flan is wonderful. Jerri Davis
This looks amazing!
I love flan, my mom used to make it all the time, but never got the recipe!!!! Thanks so much for posting this out for us, def will try it this weekend!!!! Thanks so much
i am drooling, i love all cuban food! thank you for sharing!!!!
Sounds and looks delicious!!
Yum!! Now i just have to get a flan pan. And some cooking skills lol
This looks so delicious and so yummy, i don’t think i have ever tried something like this.. will definitely have to give it a try 🙂 thanks for such a great post @tisonlyme143
This looks delicious. I don’t think I am skilled enough to try and make it though. I hope to find it in a restaurant.
I have only had Flan one time before. It has been a while ago, I was so glad to see this here, I had actually forgotten all about it. I will be making it soon! Have you ever added fruit to a flan?
We also call this Leche Flan.
this sounds very interesting. I would love to try it.
That looks excellent!
Looks delicious and more than nice enough to serve to guests
I can’t wait to try it!
This Looks Amazing!
this made me soooo hungry!! I am going to make it right now!
This looks really good, have a sweet tooth! I’ve never seen a “flan pan”, I’ll have to look for that, maybe I can give this a try! Thanks for the pictures, it helps a lot!
This looks delicious wow easy recipe thanks for sharing
Looks delicious. I love flan its one of my favorite dessert.
The first time I ever had flan was on a visit to California. I loved it! Now a recipe to follow-just what I’ve been looking for.
I have never had flan before, but I have heard of it. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I’d love to try it.
I have had Flan, but it probably wasn’t exactly like your recipe. It was delicious just as your must be if it is in such demand.
Looks and sounds yummy!!
This is my husbands favorite dessert. His grandmother used to make it for him all the time.
This looks delicious and I am so glad to have this recipe. I have not been a fan of flan in the past, but I do want to try this recipe and see if it will change my mind.
looks amazing
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
This looks delicious! I’m looking forward to more of your recipes!
This custard looks devine and doesn’t seem that difficult to make. I’m afraid if I start making this I may never stop eating it 🙂
YUMMY!!!!! Your flan looks absolutely AMAZING!!! I like it on the lighter side too…looks more attractive. I will definitely be giving this recipe a try! Thank you!!!
Yummy! I’ll have to try this sometime!
Wow you did a great job!! I love flan, so I will send this to my husband to make since he is the “dessert master”!!
My husband LOVES flan. He orders it for dessert when we go out to eat. I’ve never thought about making it until now, although I’m not sure where to get a flan pan! (I think I’ll look on Amazon). I’ll be making this for him, it sounds delish!
Thank you for this recipe. It sounds delicious!
Thank you for this recipe! It looks delicious!
The flan looks incredibly good and not too difficult to make. We’ll have to give t a try. I really like deserts and treats like flan, pudding, etc. Thanks for the recipe and Happy New Year.
this recipe sounds very delish
I absolutely love Flans. When I go to a restaurant that has them I always get one! I will have to try this recipe and see if I can make them taste as good as the ones you get at the restaurants.
I am a custard fanatic and this looks awesome! Thanks for the great recipe!
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
This looks utterly delicious. I’m not entirely confident in my ability to pull it off, so I’ll have to see if my husband will make it for me sometime. He’s a chef, so he’s much more likely to get it right the first time. 🙂
We love flan in our family. Our family recipe is slightly different so I think I am going to try this one to see if the family can taste a difference. We are very critical when we go to restaurants and have some.
YUM! Oh my gosh – I can’t wait to try it! Though I wonder how it is different from Mexican flan? Who cares!
This looks delicious! I’ve had flan before, but I’ve never made my own. I’ll have to try this sooner rather than later. 🙂
I love flan and this one looks delicious. I’ve never been real successful wiith milk type desserts, but I may still give this a try.
Yum! Flan is one of my favorite treats. I love your flan pan, I definitely need to look into getting one.
I am so hungry for flan now!! This looks amazing and I love the step by step guide along with recipes. I will definitely be making this soon for my husband and kids.
Oh, and I don´t use cinnamon and don´t boil milks.
I just make the caramel and the rest of the ingredients goes in the blender! then to the flan mold. I use the express pot (I´m not sure how is call) for like 30-40 min or bain-marie in the stove for around 1to 1:10 hr.
Its pretty similar to the Mexican flan, but I use 1 can of evaporated milk instead of milk and my version is with 1 piece (190 gr) of cream cheese. It makes it more creamy and more tasty!!!
Should try!
You make it look way too easy… I’m going to have to try this but highly doubt I’ll be so successful!
This looks so amazing! Definitely trying this soon1 Yum
I’ve only tried making Mexican-style flans before. I didn’t even know there was a difference! This is definitely something to try out. Thanks!
I am so excited about this! My husband has been begging me to make flan and I’ll be honest–I’ve never even tasted flan. I can’t wait to try it out. It looks so yummy!
This looks so good!!!!
This looks so good, I have never made it before.
I absolutely love flan. Unfortunately, I have not had it in years and since my 3 year old is allergic to eggs…I am not sure when I will be making it. This post definitely made me miss it though.
omg this looks amazing, i love all cuban food. thanks for sharing!!!!
I am very bad with desserts but this look so good that I am gonna try it
omg elia.. this flan looks amazing.. my hubs made one a few months ago and wow it came delish.. i wanted to comment on your picadillo .. you know i never tasted that until i met my husband .. thats one of his favorite dishes. ill have to try yours soon..
I wish I could have Flan, I’m lactose intolerant 🙁 I wonder if I could do a soy substitute? Your recipe looks awesome! How cool is that! Your husband has a resturant! Lucky lady! I hope he cooks for you!
Flan is my fave dessert but I’ve never tried it.!it doesn’t look that hard, I think I’ll try it
This sounds so amazing with the shredded coconut on the side. I will be giving this a try. yum
yum! I love flan.
This flan looks so delicious. I have to try this recipe. My husband loves flan.
My husband grew up in FL. He grew up eating Cuban food, I learned to love it after we got married. Flan is one of his favorites but I’ve never made it. I will be trying your recipe, soon. Thanks for posting.
This looks amazing! I LOVE flan and I have never even attempted to make it before. This recipe looks SO good and I know my family would love it! I love that all the ingredients are already in my pantry!
This is a delcious version you have. I know that the Mexican version is thinner and less sweet. The Filipino version is thicker, sweeter, and yummier.
Oh my goodness! That looks soooo good! I haven’t had a good serving of flan in years!
I haven’t made flan in a few years. My son is allergic to eggs so, of course, flan is a little off limits. But this looks delicious!
Ohhh thanks for the recipe, this sounds YUMMY, I love Flan, especially the ones that are not as sweet. I will try this recipe.
Thanks again!
Oh my word, this looks delicious. I never ate flan until a couple years ago, an now I have to order every time I go to my favorite Mexican restaurant.
You are a brave soul. I love flan but have been terrified to try it. You make it look easy, so just maybe I might give it a try
It's so easy!!
My husband has been begging me to make Flan for years. Now I may actually do it. Thank you for the recipe.
I love flan!
Oh my pregnant lady cravings!!! I love this flan so bad. It seems similar to what my mom makes (Brazilian). Glad I get to go home in a few weeks to visit 🙂 this post totally gave me a massive craving.
This looks ah-maxing! I’ve never had Cuban flan. I will most definitely be trying this!
That looks delicious but I’m not sure I’d be able to make it like you do.
I love your recipes! they all look really good! Hoping to try them all out eventually 🙂
I love flan! Cuban flan, any kind of flan! This looks like a delicious recipe and I can’t wait to try it.
It's so big o.O Is flan usually cake-sized? I am used to restaurant single-serve portions =3
This looks amazing. I’ve only had Mexican flan, so I’d love to try this version! Ooh, my mouth is watering!
Wow! Thanks for this. I’m going to try it.
This looks really good. I’ve never tried flan so I’m gonna try and make this. thanks for the recipe and step by step instructions !
OMG! it looks so yummy and delicious! I wanna these sweet desert at home too! thank for sharing!
I was born in Cuba and I love flan. This is a different recipe from my Mom and I am going to try it for Sunday’s dessert. Thank you!
That looks amazing…I stink at cooking anything though, wonder if I could pull that off?
I wouldn’t honestly try to do this recipe at home,because I would be afraid I would mess it up.I do love flan though!
I have never tried flan, looks fun though and not too hard to make. Thanks.
i have tried mexican flan and didnt care for it but this sounds really good! i think it would be sweeter than the mexican kind, which i would like.
Oh and refrigerate!! It taste best cold! 🙂
I actually used a glass pie dish a few time and it worked great. I caramelized the sugar in a pot and poured it in. The “only” tricky part is separating the flan from the pie dish at the end but nothing a little knife work and jiggling wont fix.Try it,it’s sooooo good! The only recommendation I can give you when making it,don’t over mix all ingredients. Mix enough where they appear as one,if possible mix by hand with a whisk 🙂
That looks fabulous! Ok, this is probably a dumb question, but can you make it in something other than a “flan pan”? I would love to give this a try!
It’s really easy once you get a hang of it. The hardest part is nailing down the caramelized sugar. 🙂 Thanks! It’s sooo yummy!
You make it sound so easy, but I know I’d mess it up! Looks so elegant!