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A slice of rich chocolate flan cake on a white plate in the foreground, with the remaining cake on a stand behind it, showing a dense chocolate crust and creamy center.

French-Style Chocolate Custard Flan

A deeply comforting chocolate flan with a silky custard center and tender cocoa crust, made for slow evenings and special slices.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Chill Time 12 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 14
Course: Dessert, Baking
Cuisine: French, European
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chocolate Custard
  • 4 large egg yolks room temperature for smooth blending
  • 3 large eggs fresh for structure
  • 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar fine texture for dissolving easily
  • ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch used for thickening
  • ¾ teaspoon salt balances sweetness
  • 3 cups whole milk full-fat for creaminess
  • 2 cups heavy cream rich dairy base
  • 8 oz dark chocolate finely chopped for fast melting
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fruit jam warmed for glazing
  • Chocolate Pastry Base
  • 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • ½ cup powdered sugar adds tenderness
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder unsweetened, for deep flavor
  • ½ teaspoon salt enhances chocolate notes
  • 1¼ sticks unsalted butter melted but not hot
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract aromatic finish

Method
 

  1. Combine the flour, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a bowl until evenly mixed. prep
  2. Heat the oven to 350°F / 180°C and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. prep
  3. Melt the butter gently and pour it into the dry ingredients along with the vanilla extract. mix
  4. Press the dough into a flat round slightly larger than your pastry ring on the lined tray. assemble
  5. Remove from the oven and press the pastry ring into the warm crust to cut a clean circle, leaving the ring in place. assemble
  6. Slowly pour a small amount of hot dairy into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. mix
  7. Gradually whisk in the remaining dairy, then return everything to the saucepan over medium-low heat. mix
  8. Cook while whisking until the mixture bubbles and thickens to a spoon-coating consistency. cook
  9. Break away excess crust outside the pastry ring and lightly grease the inside edge. assemble
  10. Pour the chocolate custard into the crust and smooth the surface evenly. assemble
  11. Bake until the edges are set and the center still jiggles noticeably. bake
  12. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate covered overnight. finish
  13. Release the flan from the ring gently and brush with warmed jam for a glossy finish. finish

Nutrition

Serving: 120gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 275mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 3gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 960IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Glossy, rich, and quietly indulgent—this chocolate flan tastes like a Parisian bakery moment at home.

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