What is the Difference Between Flan and Creme Caramel

Crème caramel and flan are very similar food items. Crème caramel is a classic French dessert made from a smooth, creamy custard base of eggs, sugar, and milk or cream. Many people use the two names flan and crème caramel interchangeably, but there are some differences between them.

What is the difference between flan and creme caramel? Crème caramel is a sweet dessert, whereas flan can be either sweet or savory.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Flan  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Creme Caramel
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Flan and Creme Caramel
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Flan and Creme Caramel
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Flan and Creme Caramel
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Flan, Creme Caramel

What is Flan

Flan is a creamy, custard-based dish. It has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. Since it shares many similarities with crème caramel, many people even use these two names interchangeably. However, flan is often richer in taste. It has also been made in both sweet and savory variations over time.

Sweet flan is commonly enjoyed as a dessert. It has a smooth, spongy custard base topped with caramelized sugar. It is generally served upside-down, which reveals its glossy caramel layer. Different regions have put their own spin on flan. Mexican flan often includes sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, cream, or even cream cheese for a silkier texture, while Filipino Leche flan is denser and made with just egg yolks. Savory flans, on the other hand, are more like a quiche. They are baked with vegetables and served in slices.

What is Creme Caramel

Crème caramel is a classic French dessert with a smooth, creamy custard topped with a rich caramel layer. It is made by gently cooking a mixture of eggs, sugar, and milk or cream in a bain-marie (water bath) to achieve a delicate, pudding-like consistency. It is often flavored with vanilla.

What makes crème caramel special is the caramel itself. Sugar is melted until golden brown and poured into the bottom of a ramekin before the custard mixture is added. As the dessert bakes, the caramel infuses the custard with its deep, slightly bittersweetness. Once chilled and flipped onto a plate, the caramel cascades down the sides. Unlike crème brûlée, which has a crunchy caramelized sugar crust, crème caramel is smooth and silky throughout.

Similarities Between Flan and Creme Caramel

1. Both flan and crème caramel have a smooth and creamy egg custard base.
2. Both are made using eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and vanilla for flavoring.
3. They are generally served upside-down, which allows the caramel sauce to flow over the custard.

Difference Between Flan and Creme Caramel

Definition

• Crème caramel is a classic French dessert made from a smooth, creamy custard base of eggs, sugar, and milk or cream. Flan can refer to either a sweet baked custard dessert with a caramel topping or a pastry shell filled with custard and vegetables, similar to a quiche.

Custard Base

• Flan has a shorter custard base and a larger diameter compared to crème caramel.

Flavor

• Flan recipes often use multiple dairy products, such as cream cheese, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk, which gives it a tangier and sweeter flavor. Crème caramel, on the other hand, is made with whole milk or cream, eggs, and sugar, resulting in a milder, sweeter taste.

Sweet vs Savory

• Crème caramel is always sweet, while flan can be sweet or savory, sometimes including vegetables and herbs.

Serving Options

• Crème caramel is strictly a dessert, while flan can be enjoyed as a dessert or a savory dish for different meals.

Texture

• Both crème caramel and sweet flan have a smooth, creamy egg custard with a caramelized sugar syrup topping. However, a savory flan may contain vegetables and has a firmer and chewier texture.

FAQ: Flan and Creme Caramel

1. Is crème caramel the same as flan?

Crème caramel and flan are very similar, but flan is often richer and has regional variations. Crème caramel is a classic French dessert with a smooth custard and caramel topping, while flan can be made in different ways.

2. What is the difference between flan and crème brûlée?

Flan and crème brûlée are both custard desserts, but the main difference is the topping. Flan has a soft caramel sauce, while crème brûlée has a hard, caramelized sugar crust that is torched or broiled to create a crunchy layer.

3. Why is it called flan?

The word “flan” comes from the Old French word flaon, which itself comes from the Latin flado, meaning “flat cake” or “custard.” The name reflects the dish’s flat, round shape and smooth texture.

4. How to make caramel for crème caramel?

To make caramel for crème caramel, melt sugar in a pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Do not stir—just swirl the pan gently. Once the sugar is fully melted and caramelized, quickly pour it into the bottom of your ramekins before it hardens.

Reference: 

1. “Classic French Crème au Caramel.” The Spruce Eats.

2. “What is Creme Caramel?” Whitakers Chocolates.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Creme Caramel Dish” (CC0) via Pexels

2. “Savory French Flan” By Kim – French Flan (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia