Name: Homemade Flan Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 (15 oz) can sweetened condensed milk; 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk; 4 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix; Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water); Nonstick cooking spray

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There’s something truly magical about Homemade Flan Cake — that moment when you flip it out of the pan and reveal glossy caramel cascading down golden, pillowy cake and impossibly creamy flan! Whether you know it as chocoflan, impossible cake, or just the best party trick in your baking repertoire, this dessert doesn’t just look impressive, it blends everything you could possibly crave: sweet caramel, rich vanilla, and the softest layers. With a handful of familiar ingredients and just a bit of patience, you’ll have a showstopper that wins over any crowd.

Homemade Flan Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Homemade Flan Cake is that you need just a few simple ingredients — most of which you probably already have! Each one matters, coming together to create that signature silky texture and dreamy contrast in color and flavor.

Granulated sugar (1 cup, for caramel): The golden magic at the bottom of the pan, it melts into a deep, luscious caramel layer.
Sweetened condensed milk (1 15 oz can): Brings creamy sweetness and unmistakable flan richness.
Evaporated milk (1 12 oz can): Provides a smooth, velvety texture without extra heaviness.
Large eggs (4): The essential binding agent for both the flan and cake layers.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Adds warmth and a fragrant note that ties everything together.
Yellow cake mix (1 15.25 oz box): The cake shortcut — go for your favorite brand for the best results.
Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water): Follow the box so your cake layer bakes up perfectly light and airy.
Nonstick cooking spray: Ensures your Homemade Flan Cake comes out of the pan as one beautifully layered piece!

How to Make Homemade Flan Cake

Step 1: Prep the Bundt Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and give your 12-cup Bundt pan a generous coating of nonstick spray. This step will make your life so much easier when it’s time to reveal those perfect, defined swirls. Set up a water bath by setting your Bundt pan inside a larger roasting pan — this helps the flan cook tenderly, avoiding any cracks.

Step 2: Make the Caramel

Pour the granulated sugar into a dry, heavy-bottomed saucepan and let it melt over medium heat. Stir gently as the sugar begins to liquefy and turn a rich amber color. Once it’s gorgeously golden and fully melted, quickly but carefully pour the caramel into the bottom of your prepared Bundt pan. Swirl it so it coats the whole bottom evenly — don’t worry if it hardens a little, the oven will handle that later!

Step 3: Blend the Flan Mixture

In your blender, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Blitz until completely smooth and creamy. This is what gives Homemade Flan Cake its unbelievably custardy layer, so take a moment to admire that silky consistency!

Step 4: Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whip up the yellow cake mix according to the package instructions, using whatever eggs, oil, and water are called for. Aim for a smooth batter with no lumps — this will perch beautifully on top of the caramel.

Step 5: Layer the Ingredients

Gently pour the cake batter over the cooled caramel layer. Then, ever so slowly, drizzle the blended flan mixture directly over top. The magic of science takes over during baking: the two will swap places, leaving you with an upside-down masterpiece!

Step 6: Bake the Homemade Flan Cake

Trap in all that moisture and flavor by tightly covering the Bundt pan with foil. Place the whole pan setup into your larger roasting pan, then carefully pour about an inch of hot water into the outer pan to create a steam bath. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes — your kitchen will smell incredible! You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked into the cake layer comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool, Chill & Unmold

Once done, remove the Bundt pan from its water bath. Let it cool to room temperature — patience is key here — then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better). To serve, run a thin knife around the edges to loosen, invert your platter over the pan, and hold your breath as you flip! Lift the pan to reveal caramel-soaked beauty.

How to Serve Homemade Flan Cake

Garnishes

Classic is always gorgeous: the shiny caramel on top is typically all you need! For extra flair, scatter fresh berries, a dollop of fluffy whipped cream, or a few sprigs of mint. Citrus zest can also add a punch of color and flavor if you want to impress even more.

Side Dishes

Homemade Flan Cake is an absolute star all on its own, but if you’re going for a party vibe, pair it with coffee, café de olla, or a bold espresso. A scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream on the side is a dreamy, cool addition that kids (and adults) will adore.

Creative Ways to Present

This dessert makes a statement simply inverted onto a big platter, but you can also cut individual slices and serve on small plates with little caramel pools. Try layering slices in parfait glasses with extra caramel sauce and whipped cream for a fun twist, or serve in mini form using muffin tins for easy party service.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover slices of Homemade Flan Cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator, and it’ll stay perfectly moist and delicious for up to four days — if it lasts that long!

Freezing

You can, in fact, freeze your Homemade Flan Cake. For best results, wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freeze for up to two months and thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying again.

Reheating

While it’s usually served chilled, you can gently bring your flan cake to room temperature if preferred. Avoid microwaving, as it might alter the texture of the delicate flan. If you’re after a just-baked feel, let slices sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving.

FAQs

What makes Homemade Flan Cake “impossible”?

This dessert is often called “impossible cake” because the cake and flan layers swap places during baking! It looks complex and magical, but it all happens naturally thanks to the density of each batter.

Can I use a different cake mix flavor instead of yellow?

Absolutely! Chocolate cake mix is a classic twist (hello, chocoflan!), but vanilla, lemon, or even spice cake mixes can be delicious. Just make sure to prepare the batter according to the box instructions and keep the classic flan recipe the same.

How do I know when Homemade Flan Cake is done baking?

Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake layer; it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs. Also, the top should spring back gently and not jiggle too much in the center.

Why do I need a water bath?

A water bath (or bain-marie) creates gentle, even heat for the flan part of Homemade Flan Cake, preventing cracks and overcooking. It’s the secret to that creamy, custardy texture.

Can I make Homemade Flan Cake ahead of time?

Homemade Flan Cake is actually even better made ahead! It needs to chill for several hours (overnight is ideal), making it perfect for parties or family gatherings where you want a fuss-free, jaw-dropping dessert ready to go.

Final Thoughts

If you want a dessert that dazzles everyone and truly tastes as special as it looks, you have to try Homemade Flan Cake. Every bite blends silky vanilla flan and soft buttery cake with a glossy caramel finish — pure bliss! I’d love to hear how your cake turns out and what creative twists you add. Happy baking!

Homemade Flan Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (plus chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful combination of creamy flan and moist cake in this Homemade Flan Cake recipe. With a layer of caramel-infused sweetness, this Mexican dessert is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramel:

1 cup granulated sugar

Flan Mixture:

1 (15 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Cake:

1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
Ingredients called for on cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
Nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: to 350°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick spray.
Melt the sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar until golden brown and liquid. Pour into the pan and coat evenly.
Prepare flan mixture: Blend sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Make the cake: Prepare yellow cake mix according to package instructions.
Layer the batter: Pour cake batter into the pan, then slowly add the flan mixture on top.
Bake: Cover with foil, place in a water bath, and bake for 60–75 minutes.
Cool and chill: Cool in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Serve: Invert onto a plate and enjoy!