Ultimate Guava Flan (Flan de Guayaba) Recipe: A Tropical Dessert Delight
Flan, a quintessential dessert found across most Latin cuisines, is surprisingly one of the simplest and most rewarding treats to prepare at home. Despite its often elegant appearance, suggesting a complex process, the truth is that a rich, creamy, and utterly delicious flan is well within reach for any home baker. It’s a dessert that perfectly balances sweet and smooth textures, making it a beloved staple for family gatherings and festive occasions alike.
While classic vanilla flan has its undeniable charm, I personally find myself gravitating towards flavored variations that offer an extra layer of complexity and excitement. I’ve always aimed to create flans that are not just jiggly, but incredibly creamy, and without that overpowering “eggy” taste that some traditional recipes can have. This is precisely why I adore experimenting with ingredients like coconut, pumpkin, and in this case, the vibrant and aromatic guava. For those moments when I do opt for a plain flan, a touch of cream cheese is my secret ingredient to achieve that extra velvety texture and subtle tang that truly elevates the dish.
Discover the Irresistible Charm of Guava Flan
If you have a fondness for the sweet and subtly tart notes of guava, then this Guava Flan recipe, or “Flan de Guayaba,” is destined to become one of your new favorite desserts. It’s an extraordinary fusion of traditional Latin flan with the tropical essence of guava, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and wonderfully exotic. The natural fruitiness of the guava perfectly complements the creamy custard, balancing the richness and adding a delightful aroma that will transport your senses to sunnier shores.
This creamy guava flan is an absolute showstopper, making it perfect for holiday celebrations, special gatherings, or simply as a luxurious treat to enjoy with your loved ones. Its smooth texture, rich caramel topping, and the unique guava flavor promise to impress even the most discerning palates. Prepare to watch your family devour this decadent dessert with pure delight!
Flan de Guayaba
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Ingredients
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 12 oz can of evaporated milk
- 1 14 oz can of condensed milk
- 3 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 4 oz guava
Instructions
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Add the sugar and water to a saucepan and cook it over medium heat for about 15 mins until it turns into a rich brown caramel color, being careful not to burn it, as burnt sugar will impart a bitter taste.
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Immediately and carefully pour the hot caramel into your baking dish, tilting the dish to coat the bottom evenly.
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Crack 3 whole eggs and separate 2 egg yolks into a separate bowl.
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In a blender, combine the evaporated milk, condensed milk, whole eggs, egg yolks, softened cream cheese, guava (paste or nectar works well), and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. Then, carefully pour this blended mixture over the cooled caramel in the baking dish.
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To ensure even cooking and a silky-smooth texture, place your baking dish inside a larger baking dish. Fill the larger dish with boiling water, creating a water bath (bain-marie), until the water reaches about halfway up the sides of the flan dish. This gentle cooking method prevents cracks and ensures a creamy consistency.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for approximately 1 hour, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle. Remove from the water bath, let it cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before serving.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Allure of Flan: A Beloved Dessert Tradition
Flan, a custard-based dessert, holds a special place in the hearts and on the tables of many cultures worldwide, particularly throughout Latin America and Spain. Its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where custards were often savory. Over centuries, it evolved, taking on sweet forms and becoming a staple dessert. Each region, from Mexico to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and beyond, boasts its own unique variations, but the core elements remain the same: a rich, egg-based custard baked until silky smooth, topped with a luscious caramel sauce. The beauty of flan lies in its simplicity and its ability to be infused with a myriad of flavors, making it endlessly adaptable.
Why Guava Flan is a Must-Try Tropical Dessert
While classic flan is undeniably delicious, the addition of guava elevates this dessert to a new level of tropical indulgence. Guava, a fruit cherished for its unique sweet and subtly tart flavor profile and intoxicating aroma, is a star ingredient in many Caribbean and Latin American desserts. When incorporated into flan, it imparts a beautiful rosy hue and a delightful fruity note that perfectly cuts through the richness of the condensed and evaporated milk. The result is a creamy guava flan that is vibrant, refreshing, and deeply satisfying. It’s an unexpected yet harmonious pairing that will undoubtedly surprise and delight your taste buds, making it an ideal choice for those looking to explore beyond traditional flan flavors. This “Flan de Guayaba” truly embodies the spirit of tropical indulgence.
Mastering the Art of Homemade Flan: Tips for a Flawless Result
Creating a perfect flan is more about technique than difficulty. By following a few key tips, you can ensure your homemade guava flan turns out silky, smooth, and utterly delicious every single time.
Perfecting the Caramel Layer
The caramel topping is integral to flan. The key is to achieve a deep amber color without burning it. Cook the sugar and water over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it reaches a rich brown. Immediately pour it into your baking dish and swirl to coat the bottom. Speed is essential here, as it sets quickly. A perfectly caramelized topping adds depth of flavor and that iconic glossy finish.
The Magic of the Water Bath (Bain-Marie)
A water bath is non-negotiable for a creamy, crack-free flan. Baking the flan in a larger dish filled with hot water ensures gentle, even cooking. This prevents the edges from over-baking before the center is set, resulting in a consistently smooth and tender custard. It also helps regulate the oven temperature around the flan, preventing it from drying out or developing an undesirable spongy texture. Don’t skip this step for the best results!
Achieving a Silky Smooth Custard
To avoid that “eggy” taste and achieve a truly silky texture, a few tricks are helpful. First, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier blending. When blending the custard mixture, aim for a completely smooth consistency. Blend thoroughly but avoid over-blending, which can incorporate too much air and lead to bubbles in the final product. Some bakers also strain their custard mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring it into the caramel-lined dish, which helps remove any lingering lumps or egg solids, guaranteeing an even smoother flan.
The Chilling Phase: Patience is Key for the Best Guava Flan
After baking, resist the urge to immediately unmold your flan. Cooling it gradually on the counter and then thoroughly in the refrigerator is crucial for it to set properly and for the flavors to meld beautifully. A minimum of 4 hours, and ideally overnight, allows the flan to firm up and the caramel to soften slightly, ensuring a perfect release and optimal texture. This patience is key to a truly decadent Guava Flan experience.
Unmolding Your Culinary Masterpiece
When it’s time to serve your chilled flan, carefully run a thin knife around the edge of the dish to loosen it. Place a serving plate upside down over the flan dish, and in one swift motion, invert the flan onto the plate. The caramel should gently cascade over the sides, creating a stunning presentation. If it doesn’t release immediately, a quick dip of the bottom of the flan dish in hot water for about 30 seconds can help loosen the caramel.
Serving Your Delicious Guava Flan
Once unmolded, your homemade Guava Flan is ready to be admired and enjoyed. This dessert is rich enough to be served simply on its own, allowing the tropical guava and creamy custard flavors to shine. For an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish individual slices with a fresh mint leaf, a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes, or a thin slice of fresh guava if available. It pairs wonderfully with a strong cup of coffee or a light herbal tea. Whether it’s the grand finale to a festive meal or a delightful afternoon treat, this Flan de Guayaba is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Customize Your Flan: Delicious Variations to Try
One of the joys of making flan is its versatility. While this Guava Flan recipe is a tropical dream, feel free to explore other flavor combinations. As mentioned earlier, cream cheese is a fantastic addition to any flan recipe, imparting an extra layer of creaminess and a subtle tang. Other popular variations include rich coconut flan, perfect for a taste of the Caribbean, or a spiced pumpkin flan, ideal for autumn holidays. You can experiment with coffee, chocolate, or even a hint of rum for an adult twist. The basic technique remains the same, allowing you to get creative with your custard concoctions.
Conclusion: A Sweet Ending to Any Meal with Homemade Guava Flan
Making flan from scratch is a truly rewarding culinary experience. This Guava Flan recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic, bringing vibrant tropical flavors to your table. It’s a dessert that speaks of comfort, tradition, and a touch of exotic flair, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Don’t be intimidated by its sophisticated appearance; with these clear instructions and helpful tips, you’re well on your way to creating a homemade flan that rivals any bakery. So gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and prepare to indulge in the creamy, caramel-drenched goodness of your very own Flan de Guayaba. We’re confident it will become a cherished part of your recipe collection.
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