Filipino leche flan recipe is a sweet and creamy dessert from the Philippines. It is made with egg yolks, evaporated milk, and condensed milk. This dessert is soft, smooth, and melts in your mouth.

Made with only egg yolks
Cooked in a steamer or oven
Best served cold

What Makes Leche Flan Special?

Leche flan is also called crème caramel or caramel custard in other countries. In the Philippines, people use a special tin mold called llanera. This gives the flan its traditional oval shape. The dessert has a silky texture and is very rich. This is because it uses many egg yolks and only condensed milk for sweetness.

Ingredients You Need for Leche Flan

You only need a few ingredients to make leche flan. These ingredients help create the rich flavor and smooth texture.

Main Ingredients for Custard:

Egg yolks (only yolks, no whites)
Evaporated milk (adds caramel-like flavor)
Condensed milk (main sweetener)
Vanilla extract (optional, adds aroma)
Salt or a few drops of calamansi juice (balances the sweetness)

Ingredients for Caramel Sauce:

White sugar (use fine sugar for easy melting)
Water (helps melt sugar faster)
Calamansi juice or lemon juice (for flavor balance)

How Many Egg Yolks to Use?

The number of egg yolks depends on the size of your milk cans. In the Philippines, milk cans are smaller, while in other places like Singapore, they are larger.

Egg Yolks	Condensed Milk	Evaporated Milk
10 yolks	300ml	370ml
12 yolks	390ml to 414ml	390ml to 414ml

Note: More condensed milk means a sweeter flan. Adjust the number of yolks based on the milk amount.

Best Pans for Cooking Leche Flan

Filipinos use llanera pans to cook leche flan. These pans are thin and oval-shaped. If you do not have a llanera, you can use:

7-inch round cake pans
8-inch oval pans
Ramekins (small cups for desserts)

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Leche Flan

1. Caramelize the Sugar:

Heat sugar and water until golden brown. Swirl the pan to spread the caramel. Quickly pour it into the pan and coat the sides.

2. Make the Flan Mixture:

Mix egg yolks, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and other ingredients. Strain the mixture to remove bubbles and egg bits.

3. Cook the Flan:

Steamer: Steam on low heat for 25–30 minutes.
Oven: Bake using a water bath at 170°C for 35–40 minutes.

4. Chill Overnight:

Let the flan cool, then chill overnight. This helps the caramel melt and the custard set.

Cooking Methods in Detail

Using a Steamer:

Do not overfill the pan.
Cover with foil to stop water from dripping.
Cook on low heat for smooth texture.
Check after 25 minutes with a toothpick.

Using an Oven:

Place a wet towel in a baking tray.
Fill with hot water (1 inch deep).
Bake at 325°F/170°C for 40–60 minutes.
Let it cool in hot water for 10 minutes.

Tips for Smooth Flan

Use low heat to avoid bubbles.
Do not overcook the flan.
Chill overnight before serving.

Important: A smooth flan has no bubbles and feels silky. Overcooked flan becomes wrinkled and cracks.

How to Serve Leche Flan

Leche flan is popular at Filipino fiestas, Christmas, and New Year. It can be eaten alone or added to:

Halo-halo
Minatamis na saging
Mais con yelo

To serve, run a spatula around the flan. Turn it onto a plate to show the golden caramel top.

How to Store Leche Flan

Leche flan lasts 3–5 days in the fridge. Eat it within 3 days for best flavor. Store in a covered container to keep it fresh.

What to Do with Leftover Egg Whites?

Use egg whites to make Filipino steamed cake. You can also store them in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Common Questions About Leche Flan

Can I use fresh milk instead of evaporated milk?
Yes, but the flavor will be less rich.

Why does my flan have bubbles?
It was cooked on high heat or overcooked. Use gentle heat.

When is the flan ready?
When the center is jiggly but set. Use a toothpick to check.

Why is my caramel hard?
Chill the flan overnight. This will soften the caramel.

Leche flan is a Filipino dessert that is both easy and fun to make. With just a few ingredients, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes amazing. Follow these simple steps and impress your family and friends!