Let me teach you how easy it is to make a Flan de Calabaza. I will give you my tips and tricks to make a delicious pumpkin flan every time. This is the perfect dessert recipe that is full of fall flavors.
A Flan de Calabaza is a twist on the traditional flan recipe but with pumpkin, cinnamon, and allspice. But it still has the same base ingredients of eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and a touch of vanilla.
All of the ingredients are blended together and cooked on a bed of silky caramel. Flip it over and you get a super creamy pumpkin custard drenched in a golden caramel sauce.
In Puerto Rico, I grew up eating Flan de queso which is the most popular one. In my house, my aunt was the best at making it, and that’s who I learned from.
There are many variations to choose from. There is cheese, pistachio, Nutella, and coconut. There’s even flancocho.
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Ingredients
For this recipe, I used fresh pumpkin just because it was in season. But when I don’t have any available I use a quality pumpkin puree like Libby’s.
- Sugar- I used white sugar to make the caramel but you can substitute for brown sugar if that’s what you have. When using brown sugar your caramel will look a little darker but that’s alright. It will still taste amazing.
- Pumpkin- I always love using fresh pumpkin when available. If all you have is canned pumpkin puree then feel free to use it.
- Evaporated milk- Use a 12-ounce can. It really helps give a very rich taste.
- Condensed Milk- Condensed milk is what is used to sweeten the pumpkin flan.
- Vanilla- I used vanilla extract.
- Eggs- I used 5 eggs.
- Cinnamon & Allspice- this is all you will need for spices. A little bit of cinnamon and allspice goes a long way. If you don’t have allspice you can substitute with nutmeg.
*See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients, quantities, and steps.
How to make it
Step 1: Heat your sugar over medium-high heat, and stir until melted. Always keep an eye on it. Then pour into your mold. Be very careful, caramel will be extremely hot.
Step 2: If you’re using fresh pumpkin, peel and cut it into ½ inch cubes. Cook for about 8 minutes or until tender. You can skip this step if you have canned pumpkin puree.
Step 3: Blend all of your ingredients together. No order in particular.
Step 4: Pour your mix into your mold. Make a bain marie bath and to the oven goes. Bake for 1 hour.
Step 5: Cool your flan and then with a knife separate it from the mold. Gently shake it to make sure it’s loose from the sides of the mold.
Step 6: Put a dish big dish over the mold and quickly flip it. Make sure the dish is big and deep enough to hold all the caramel.
Recipe Tips
- One of the secrets of a good flan is in the caramel. Your base can taste amazing but if you burnt the caramel it will ruin the whole flan. The trick with the caramel is to start with a high temp and quickly lower it. This while constantly stirring. Some people suggest not stirring the caramel to avoid sugar crystals, but I always stir it until is all melted.
A Flan de Calabaza is a popular recipe to serve during the holiday season, especially on Thanksgiving Day. That time of year when is all about pumpkin soups and cakes. But is perfect to enjoy any time of the year.
I love serving with a big ball of coconut sorbet and whipped cream!
Making ahead and storing
Making ahead- You can make flan ahead of time. You just have to remember that it will be good for no more than 5 days.
Storing- Store in your fridge for up to 5 days. Keep it on a plate or an airtight container. Always keep it covered to prevent it from retaining other orders from your fridge.
Freezing- As for freezing flan I have never done it so I wouldn’t know. This is because In my house we always eat the flan by the 3rd day!
Frequently asked questions
Flan dates back to the Middle Ages. It was first made by the Roman people but it was made as a savory dish. The Romans named it Flado. Then the actual flan we know today was made by Spaniards and then it traveled all over Latin America and the Caribbean when they visited these countries.
The best method to cook flan is in a bain marie which is just a hot water bath. This can be done in the oven or on the stove. You can use a flanera, a mold specially made to be used in a bain marie. Or you can do as my aunt always did. She used a round cookie tin that she saved after we ate the cookies. This tin was great because it had a lid. Then she will take a big pot, put it in the flan, and let the water boil.
Try more delicious dessert recipes
💬 Do you have any questions or comments on this Flan de Calabaza Recipe? Leave your questions or comments below and I’ll reply as soon as I can!
Flan de Calabaza (Pumpkin Flan)
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 pound fresh
- 5 eggs
- 1 evaporated milk 12 ounce can
- 1 condensed milk 14 ounce can
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
Instructions
- Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Peel and cut the pumpkin into half inch cubes. In a medium pan over high heat cook the pumpkin for 8 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside (skip this step if using canned pumpkin puree).
- While your pumpkin is cooking make the caramel. Use a medium pan over medium high heat and pour your sugar. As soon as you see that the sugar starts to melt lower your heat to medium. You can swirl the pan around so you can move your sugar or gently use a spatula to move it around. This can take anywhere from 8-10 minutes. When done pour your sugar into your mold. Be careful because the caramel will be very hot.
- Now blend the pumpkin, eggs, evaporated and condensed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and allspice. Pour your mix over a strainer into your mold with the caramel. This is done to remove any lumps in the mix. Then put your mold in a bain marie.
- Put your flan in the oven and cook for 1 hour. When the time is done poke it with a knife in the center to check for readiness. If done you won't see any residue on the knife.
- Chill your flan at room temperature and then take it to the fridge for at least 1 hour. When you are ready to serve remove the flan from your fridge. A little trick I have for you is to put the mold on top of hot water so the caramel can become soft again. Do this for about 5 minutes. Then take a dish big enough to fit the flan, put it over your mold, and flip. Serve and enjoy this delicious flan de calabaza.
Recipe Notes
- You can make it ahead but remember that it will only last no more than 5 days in your fridge.
- Store up to 5 days well covered in an airtight container or wrapped in foil or plastic. This is done to prevent it from absorbing orders from your fridge.
Stephenie says
Me alegra que le haya gustado.
Anonymous says
Deliciosa y simple receta.