Velvety Caramel Flan Muffins

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Velvety Caramel Flan Muffins are the perfect blend of soft muffin and creamy flan. The texture is tender and light, with the luscious caramel flan filling that creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The rich caramel flavor pairs wonderfully with the smooth flan, making these muffins an irresistible treat. They are easy to prepare, and the best part is that they can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld and become even more delicious. Whether served as a dessert or as a sweet snack, these muffins are sure to impress everyone who tries them!

Ingredients

For the caramel topping:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

For the muffin batter:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the flan filling:

• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the caramel topping:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the mixture to simmer and caramelize, turning golden brown. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
2. Once the caramel has reached a deep amber color, quickly pour a small amount (about 1 teaspoon) into each muffin cup, making sure the bottom is coated with the caramel. Set aside to cool and harden.

Prepare the muffin batter:

3. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should remain slightly lumpy.

Prepare the flan filling:

7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Assemble the muffins:

8. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the muffin batter into each muffin cup, on top of the caramel. Then, gently pour the flan filling over the muffin batter, filling each cup nearly to the top. The flan filling will settle to the bottom during baking, creating a creamy, custard-like layer.

Bake:

9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean (the muffins may rise slightly during baking).
10. Once done, remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve:

11. Once the muffins are completely cool, gently remove the paper liners. The caramel flan muffins can be served warm or at room temperature. The caramel will have created a beautiful glossy topping on the bottom of each muffin.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 12 muffins
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

• Add fruit: Add fresh berries such as raspberries or strawberries on top for an added burst of color and flavor.
• Chocolate twist: You can add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the muffin batter for a chocolatey variation.
• Spiced flavor: For a fall twist, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the muffin batter or flan filling.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: These muffins freeze well! Simply wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw them in the refrigerator or microwave before serving.
• Reheating: Reheat muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated and sweetened condensed milk?

While the traditional recipe calls for these milk types, you can substitute them with whole milk. However, the texture and sweetness might be slightly different, and it won’t be as rich and creamy as the original.

2. Can I make these muffins without the caramel topping?

Yes, the muffins can still be delicious without the caramel topping, but the caramel adds a special flavor and texture. You could also add a caramel drizzle on top after baking for an extra touch.

3. Can I use a different type of sugar for the caramel?

You can substitute brown sugar for the granulated sugar to give the caramel a deeper, molasses-like flavor. It will change the color slightly, but it still works great.

4. Can I make these muffins in a mini muffin tin?

Yes, you can make mini versions of these muffins by using a mini muffin tin. Reduce the baking time to 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

5. Can I add nuts to the muffins?

Yes! Adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the muffin batter will add texture and flavor. Just sprinkle them on top of the muffin batter before adding the flan filling.

6. What if I don’t have muffin liners?

If you don’t have muffin liners, you can grease and flour the muffin tin directly, or use silicone muffin cups to prevent sticking.

7. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe if you need to make more muffins. Just divide the batter and flan filling evenly across two muffin tins.

8. Can I make these muffins ahead of time?

Yes! These muffins store well, and the flavor improves as they sit. They are perfect for making ahead and serving later.

9. How do I know when the muffins are done?

The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and they should be lightly golden on top. Keep in mind that the flan part will be a bit softer.

10. How do I get the caramel to look shiny?

The caramel topping will naturally shine once it hardens, but you can brush a little extra caramel or a light syrup over the top to enhance the glossy look before serving.

Conclusion

Velvety Caramel Flan Muffins combine the best of two beloved desserts into a single, irresistible treat. The rich, creamy flan filling, caramelized top, and tender muffin base make these muffins perfect for any occasion. They are simple to make, but taste like an indulgent dessert that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving them for a special occasion or enjoying them as a sweet snack, these muffins are sure to impress. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of these caramel flan muffins!

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