Caramelized Sweet Potato Flan
Indulge your senses with this luscious Caramelized Sweet Potato Flan, a delightful twist on the traditional flan that's bursting with flavor. This rich custard incorporates the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes, making it the perfect finishing touch to any festive meal. With its smooth texture and caramelized sugar topping, this dessert is sure to impress your guests. Ideal for holidays, gatherings, or simply a cozy night in, this flan can be prepared ahead of time for convenience, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully overnight. Top it off with toasted coconut for an extra touch of sweetness and texture!
N/A
Servings
500
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
sweet potatoes
2 medium (1 3/4 pounds) (Baked, peeled, and mashed)
sugar
3/4 cup (For caramelizing)
sweetened condensed milk
2 (14 ounce) cans (None)
milk
2 cups (None)
eggs
10 large (None)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (None)
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon (None)
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (None)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
toasted coconut
for garnish (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 1 hour or until they are soft and cooked through. Allow to cool until manageable to handle.
3
Once cooled, peel the sweet potatoes and mash them until smooth. Set aside 1 cup of the mashed sweet potatoes, and reserve any excess for another recipe.
4
In a 10-inch round cake pan, sprinkle the sugar evenly across the bottom. Place the pan over medium heat, continually shaking it to ensure even melting. Cook until the sugar melts and turns a light golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool (note that the sugar may crack slightly as it cools).
5
In a blender, combine half of the reserved sweet potatoes, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of milk, 5 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice, 1/8 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides as necessary.
6
Pour the blended mixture into a large mixing bowl. Repeat the blending process with the remaining sweet potatoes, milk, eggs, spices, and vanilla extract, then stir this second mixture into the bowl until well combined.
7
Carefully pour the sweet potato custard mixture over the caramelized sugar in the cake pan. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.
8
Prepare a larger shallow baking pan and place the cake pan inside it. Add hot water to the larger pan until it reaches a depth of about 1/2 inch.
9
Bake in the preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once baked, remove the cake pan from the water bath and let it cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. After cooling, refrigerate for at least 8 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
11
To serve, loosen the edges of the flan with a small knife, and carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Drizzle with any reserved caramel sauce, and garnish with toasted coconut if desired.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
72g
Carbs
8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Caramelized Sweet Potato Flan?
It is a luscious dessert featuring a rich custard base made with sweet potatoes, finished with a smooth texture and a sweet caramelized sugar topping.
How many sweet potatoes are required for this recipe?
You will need 2 medium sweet potatoes, which should weigh approximately 1 3/4 pounds.
At what temperature should I bake the sweet potatoes?
The sweet potatoes should be baked in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the sweet potatoes need to bake?
Bake them for about 1 hour or until they are soft and fully cooked through.
How much mashed sweet potato is used in the flan custard?
The recipe uses 1 cup of mashed sweet potatoes; any excess can be reserved for other uses.
How do I create the caramelized sugar topping?
Sprinkle 3/4 cup of sugar into a 10-inch round cake pan and heat over medium heat, shaking the pan until the sugar melts into a light golden brown liquid.
What should I do if the caramel cracks as it cools?
It is normal for the caramel to crack slightly as it cools in the pan, so you do not need to worry.
How many eggs are needed for this sweet potato flan?
The recipe calls for 10 large eggs.
What types of milk are used in the custard?
The custard uses 2 cans (14 ounces each) of sweetened condensed milk and 2 cups of regular milk.
What spices are used to flavor the flan?
The flan is flavored with ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground cloves.
How much vanilla extract should I add?
A total of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is used in the custard mixture.
Do I need a blender for this recipe?
Yes, a blender is used to ensure the sweet potatoes, milk, eggs, and spices are perfectly smooth and well combined.
Why is the mixture divided into two batches in the blender?
The ingredients are blended in two batches to ensure everything fits and blends thoroughly before being combined in a large bowl.
What size pan is used for baking the flan?
A 10-inch round cake pan is used for the flan.
Should the flan pan be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil before placing it in the oven.
What is a water bath and why is it used?
A water bath involves placing the flan pan inside a larger pan filled with hot water to provide gentle, even heat during baking.
How much water should I add to the larger baking pan?
Add hot water until it reaches a depth of about 1/2 inch in the larger shallow baking pan.
What is the oven temperature for baking the flan?
The flan itself is baked at a lower temperature of 325°F (163°C).
How long does the flan take to bake?
The baking process takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How can I tell when the flan is finished baking?
The flan is done when a knife inserted into the center of the custard comes out clean.
How long should the flan cool before refrigeration?
Let the flan cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes after removing it from the water bath.
How long does the flan need to be chilled?
Refrigerate the flan for at least 8 hours, though overnight is preferred for the best flavor development.
How do I serve the sweet potato flan?
Loosen the edges with a knife, invert the flan onto a serving plate, and drizzle with any remaining caramel sauce.
What is a recommended garnish for this dessert?
Toasted coconut makes an excellent garnish for added texture and sweetness.
How many calories are in a serving of this flan?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 11 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 72 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in this recipe?
There are 8 grams of protein per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for making ahead of time?
Yes, it is ideal for making in advance as the flavors meld beautifully when chilled overnight.
Can I use leftover sweet potatoes from this recipe?
Yes, the recipe produces excess mashed sweet potato that you can reserve for another use.