Decadent Croissant Cream Cheese Flan
Indulge in this exquisite Decadent Croissant Cream Cheese Flan, a delightful fusion of rich flavors and textures. With buttery croissants soaking up a luscious custard made from cream cheese, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk, this flan becomes a comforting treat perfect for breakfast or brunch. Whether enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chilled for a refreshing dessert, this recipe promises to captivate your taste buds. The caramelized sugar topping adds a sweet crunch, making each bite a heavenly experience. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, this flan is not just a dish; it’s a celebration of comfort food at its finest.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Plain croissants
4 (Cut in half)
Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Divided; 1/2 cup for caramel, remainder for custard mixture)
Large eggs
5 (Beaten)
Cream cheese
8 ounces (Softened)
Evaporated milk
18 ounces (None)
Sweetened condensed milk
7 ounces (None)
Half-and-half
16 ounces (None)
Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Slice the croissants in half and place them on a baking sheet. Toast them in the oven until they are lightly golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
3
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup of sugar. Allow it to dissolve without stirring until it becomes light golden brown. Carefully swirl the pan to ensure even caramelization.
4
Immediately pour the caramel into a casserole dish that is at least ten inches long and four inches high, coating the entire bottom. Set aside to cool.
5
Layer the toasted croissants in the caramelized dish, stacking and overlapping them as needed.
6
In a blender, blend the eggs for 2 minutes until frothy.
7
Add the softened cream cheese, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk to the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
8
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the remaining sugar, half-and-half, and vanilla extract with a wooden spoon until well combined.
9
Gently pour the custard mixture over the croissants, allowing it to absorb slowly.
10
Place the casserole dish in a larger baking pan. Fill the outer pan with water until it reaches about 1/2 inch up the sides of the casserole dish, creating a water bath.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until the flan is lightly golden and slightly set in the center.
12
Remove from the oven and let it cool at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours to fully set.
13
To serve, carefully flip the flan onto a serving platter to reveal the caramelized top. Cut into slices and enjoy warm or chilled, optionally drizzled with more caramel or served with vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Croissant Cream Cheese Flan?
It is an exquisite fusion dessert featuring buttery croissants soaked in a luscious custard made from cream cheese, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk, topped with a caramelized sugar glaze.
What ingredients are needed for the custard?
The custard is made using large eggs, softened cream cheese, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, half-and-half, and vanilla extract.
How many croissants are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 plain croissants, which should be cut in half.
Why do the croissants need to be toasted?
Toasting the croissants for 5-7 minutes at 350°F ensures they are lightly golden and crispy, which helps them hold their texture when soaking up the custard.
How do I make the caramel topping?
Dissolve 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan over medium heat without stirring until it turns light golden brown, then pour it into the bottom of your baking dish.
Can I stir the sugar while making the caramel?
No, it is recommended to allow the sugar to dissolve without stirring; you should only carefully swirl the pan to ensure even caramelization.
What size dish should I use for the flan?
You should use a casserole dish that is at least ten inches long and four inches high.
How long should I blend the eggs?
The eggs should be blended for about 2 minutes until they become frothy before adding other ingredients.
What is the proper way to layer the croissants?
Layer the toasted croissant halves in the caramelized dish by stacking and overlapping them as needed to fill the space.
Does the cream cheese need to be at room temperature?
Yes, using softened cream cheese is important to ensure it blends smoothly and creamilly with the milks.
How do I combine the half-and-half and vanilla?
After blending the base custard, transfer it to a large bowl and stir in the remaining sugar, half-and-half, and vanilla extract with a wooden spoon.
How do I ensure the croissants absorb the custard?
Gently pour the custard mixture over the layered croissants, allowing it to soak into the bread slowly before baking.
What is a water bath and why is it used?
A water bath (bain-marie) involves placing the casserole dish inside a larger pan filled with water. This ensures the custard cooks gently and evenly without curdling.
How much water should be in the water bath?
Fill the outer pan with water until it reaches about 1/2 inch up the sides of the inner casserole dish.
What oven temperature is required?
The flan should be baked in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C).
How long does the flan take to bake?
It takes approximately 1 hour to bake, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is slightly set.
How do I know when the flan is finished cooking?
The flan is done when it is lightly golden on top and has a slight jiggle but is mostly set in the center.
How long must the flan be refrigerated?
After cooling to room temperature, the flan must be refrigerated for at least 4 hours to fully set.
How do I serve the flan?
Carefully flip the dish onto a serving platter to reveal the caramelized top, then cut into slices.
Can this flan be served warm?
Yes, while it needs to be chilled to set, you can enjoy it either warm or chilled after the initial setting process.
What are the best toppings for this dessert?
It is delicious when drizzled with extra caramel or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Is this recipe suitable for breakfast?
Yes, its combination of croissants and custard makes it a comforting and decadent treat for breakfast or brunch.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
How much evaporated milk is needed?
You will need 18 ounces of evaporated milk for the custard mixture.
How much sweetened condensed milk is needed?
The recipe requires 7 ounces of sweetened condensed milk.
What is the texture of the finished flan?
The texture is rich and creamy with a buttery bread pudding-like consistency from the soaked croissants.
Can I use different types of bread?
While this specific recipe is designed for croissants, you could experiment with other buttery breads like brioche, though the flavor profile will change.
Is the sugar in the custard different from the caramel sugar?
The 1 1/2 cups of sugar is divided: 1/2 cup is used for the caramel and the remaining 1 cup is mixed into the custard.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients: croissants, sugar, eggs, cream cheese, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, and vanilla extract.
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
Standard full-fat cream cheese (8 ounces) is recommended for the richest flavor and best texture.