Description
Flan pâtissier, also known as French custard tart, is a luscious dessert that boasts a creamy filling and a delightful crispy pastry base. It’s the perfect treat for festive gatherings or cozy family dinners, bringing a touch of French pastry perfection to your table. This recipe highlights using whole eggs for an enriching flavor and smooth, velvety texture, steering clear of the rubbery consistency found in many other flan recipes. In just 40 to 45 minutes of baking, you’ll create a show-stopping dessert with a silky center and golden edges. Ideal served warm or chilled, this flan pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Ingredients
- 200g flour
- 100g unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 50g powdered sugar
- 4 whole eggs
- 100g granulated sugar
- 500ml whole milk
- 50g cornstarch (maïzena)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the pâte brisée: In a bowl, combine the flour and powdered sugar. Add in the cold butter cubes and use your fingers to rub the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water, just enough to form a dough ball. Avoid overworking. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 175°C (347°F).
- Roll out the pastry: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle large enough to fit a 23 cm (9 inches) tart pan. Place the dough into the pan and trim the edges.
- Prepare the filling: In a saucepan, heat the milk with vanilla extract until it simmers. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar. Mix in cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
- Bake the flan: Pour the filling into the prepared crust and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly wobbly.
- Cool before serving: Let the flan cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour before slicing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 85g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend. For enhanced flavor, consider adding a splash of almond extract or a pinch of lemon zest to the filling.