Different Flavors of Spanish Flans

New Twists on a Classic Spanish Dessert

By Lisa & Tony Sierra

Updated 03/11/19

The original, classic flan is a vanilla egg custard, baked in a water bath and its own caramel sauce. It’s an easy recipe to prepare and is a favorite in Spain and abroad. So, it’s no surprise that it’s popular all over Latin America since Spanish women for centuries brought their own family’s version of flan when immigrating to America. Today, with many different kinds of foods and flavorings available in local markets, it’s easy to see how the variations on this classic got started.

  • 01 of 04

    Orange Flan – Flan de Naranja

    Flan oranges
    Juanmonino / Getty Images

    This variation is lighter, but has an intense orange flavor that refreshes the palate as well as satisfying a sweet tooth. The sauce is made with sugar and orange juice, giving it a deep orange color and flavor.

  • 02 of 04

    Coffee Flan – Flan de Café

    Coffee flan in a plate on wood background
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    Espresso coffee gives this version of flan a wonderfully rich flavor, and makes it a perfect dessert to enjoy with a glass of after-dinner liqueur.

  • 03 of 04

    Strawberry Flan – Flan de Fresas

    Flan in a plate on wood background
    alexat25 / Getty Images

    Instead of vanilla, this flan is flavored with fresh strawberries and condensed milk. This flan is good when you want to a sweet, light and fresh dessert – whether it's for dinner or brunch.

  • 04 of 04

    Classic Vanilla Flan

    Flan on plate
    Marta Ortiz / Getty Images

    Still the most common and most popular, the original flan is a vanilla egg custard, topped with caramel sauce.