Dreamy Silky French Antilles Coconut Flan Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Creamy desserts hold a special magic in culinary traditions, and this French Antilles coconut flan captures tropical elegance with its smooth, velvety texture.

Caribbean kitchens have perfected this luscious treat that melts effortlessly on your palate.

The delicate balance of coconut and caramel creates a sensational dance of flavors that transports you directly to sun-drenched islands.

Rich condensed milk blends seamlessly with fresh coconut, producing a dessert that whispers of coastal breezes and warm afternoons.

Each spoonful promises a luxurious experience that celebrates the sweet simplicity of Caribbean cooking.

The recipe unfolds with elegant ease, inviting you to savor a slice of tropical paradise right at your table.

Indulge and let this flan become your delicious culinary escape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 8

All You’ll Need for French Antilles Coconut Flan

• Sugar: Creates rich, golden coating that adds depth and sweetness to the flan.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create smooth caramel consistency.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides creamy texture and balanced sweetness, look for full-fat version for richer flavor.
• Coconut Milk: Adds tropical essence and silky smoothness, choose full-fat canned variety for best results.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create smooth, delicate custard structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, choose pure extract for authentic taste.
• Nutmeg: Introduces warm, subtle spice note, freshly grated provides most intense flavor.

• Shredded Coconut: Adds delightful textural contrast and intensifies coconut flavor, choose unsweetened for better control of sweetness.

Tools to Make That Tropical Coconut Flan Smooth

• 9-inch round baking dish or ramekins: Essential for creating the perfect flan shape and holding the caramel and custard.
• Large mixing bowl: Crucial for whisking and combining all the ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending the flan mixture until it's silky and well-incorporated.
• Small saucepan: Necessary for making the amber-colored caramel.
• Large roasting pan: Critical for creating the water bath that ensures even, gentle cooking.
• Knife: Helps loosen the flan from the baking dish when serving.
• Serving plate: Used for beautifully inverting and presenting the finished flan.

Step-by-Step to Flawless Coconut Flan

• Create Caramel Magic

Grab sugar and water in a saucepan. Dance the mixture over medium heat, gently stirring until sugar melts. Watch it transform into a gorgeous amber color without touching. Quickly drizzle this golden liquid into your baking dish, tilting to coat everything evenly.

• Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350F, getting ready for deliciousness.

• Blend Creamy Goodness

Whisk coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla, and nutmeg into a silky smooth mixture. Let the ingredients mingle and dance together until perfectly combined.

• Prepare the Water Bath

Pour your luscious mixture over the hardened caramel. Nestle your baking dish into a larger pan filled with steamy hot water, creating a warm, gentle cooking environment.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your creation into the oven. Bake until the edges look firm but the center still has a playful jiggle. This takes about 45-50 minutes for a large flan.

• Chill and Set

Let your flan cool down completely. Refrigerate for several hours, allowing flavors to become best friends and texture to become dream-like.

• Serve with Flair

Flip the flan onto a serving plate with a dramatic swoosh. Watch caramel cascade over the creamy surface. Slice and enjoy this tropical treasure chilled.

Recipe Notes for Creaminess and Caramel

• Coconut Crush Secrets: Flan Mastery
• Caramel Control: Watch the sugar syrup like a hawk – golden amber is perfect, but burnt means bitter. Remove from heat the moment it reaches that gorgeous color to prevent scorching.
• Texture Triumph: Use room temperature eggs for smoother, silkier flan. Cold eggs can create lumpy texture that disrupts the luxurious custard consistency.
• Water Bath Wisdom: Always use hot water for the bain-marie and fill halfway up the dish. This gentle heating technique prevents cracking and ensures even, creamy cooking.
• Diet-Friendly Twist: For lactose-free version, swap condensed milk with coconut condensed milk and use dairy-free milk alternatives. Vegans can replace eggs with silken tofu or commercial egg replacer for similar texture.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with additional spices like cinnamon or add rum extract for a Caribbean-inspired kick. Toasted coconut flakes sprinkled on top create delightful crunch and enhanced tropical flavor profile.

Serving the Coconut Flan Caribbean Style

• Tropical Beach Party Plating: Arrange slices on a blue-rimmed plate with fresh mint leaves and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes around the edges for a Caribbean-inspired presentation.
• Weekend Dessert Companion: Pair with a small scoop of coconut sorbet or rum-infused whipped cream to enhance the tropical flavor profile and add a luxurious touch.
• Brunch Elegant Touch: Garnish with thin mango or pineapple slices, creating a delightful color contrast and adding a fresh fruity complement to the rich, creamy flan.
• Family Style Sharing: Serve in a large glass trifle dish for a communal dessert experience, allowing guests to scoop and enjoy the caramel-coated coconut flan together.

Best Practices for Flan Storage

• Cool Cooling Strategy: Refrigerate the flan for 4-6 hours to achieve the perfect silky texture. The cooling process helps the caramel and custard set beautifully, intensifying the rich coconut flavors.
• Fridge Fresh Technique: Store the flan in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the flan up to 2 days before serving, which allows flavors to deepen and saves precious time during meal preparation. Keep consistently chilled until ready to present.
• Smart Separation Solution: When storing, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the flan's surface to prevent moisture buildup and protect the delicate caramel topping from forming unwanted condensation.

Silky French Antilles Coconut Flan Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich, creamy french antilles coconut flan celebrates Caribbean dessert traditions with silky texture and tropical charm. Smooth coconut custard nestles on delicate caramel, offering sweet memories of island hospitality.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps water
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 ml) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 ml) coconut milk
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (40 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Caramel Creation: Melt sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until transforming into a golden amber elixir. Pour the liquid caramel into a round baking dish, coating the bottom evenly. Allow to solidify into a glossy foundation.
2. Custard Preparation: Whisk sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency. Incorporate shredded coconut, blending thoroughly to infuse tropical essence.
3. Water Bath Assembly: Position the custard-filled dish within a larger roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the outer pan, reaching midway up the baking vessel’s sides. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
4. Baking Process: Submerge the flan in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Look for firmly set edges with a subtle central wobble indicating perfect doneness. Remove and allow natural cooling to room temperature.
5. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the flan for a minimum of 4 hours, enabling flavor development and complete structural refinement. This resting period intensifies the dessert’s gastronomic profile.
6. Serving Technique: Gently separate the flan’s edges from the dish using a knife. Invert onto a serving plate in one swift motion, allowing the caramel to dramatically cascade over the creamy custard. Serve chilled, revealing a luxurious French Antilles-inspired delicacy.

Notes

• Prevent Caramel Burning: Watch the sugar and water mixture closely during caramelization. Remove from heat immediately when it reaches a golden amber color to avoid bitter, burnt flavor.
• Master the Water Bath: Use hot water when creating the bain-marie technique, ensuring water reaches exactly halfway up the baking dish. This gentle heat prevents cracking and promotes smooth, creamy custard texture.
• Check Doneness Precisely: Look for slightly wobbling center with set edges as the ultimate indicator of perfect flan. Overbaking leads to rubbery texture, while underbaking results in runny consistency.
• Coconut Variation Options: Substitute regular milk with lactose-free milk for dairy-sensitive individuals. Toast shredded coconut beforehand to intensify nutty tropical flavors and add extra depth to the dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French Antilles

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg