Flan Parisien: A Delightful French Pastry Dessert
Category: Desserts
Serves: 8
Flan Parisien is a classic French dessert that combines the buttery, flaky goodness of puff pastry with a rich, creamy vanilla custard filling. It’s the perfect balance between the delicate crunch of the pastry and the smooth, velvety texture of the flan. This dessert is ideal for a dinner party or special occasion and will leave your guests craving for more. In this detailed guide, we’ll take you through each step to recreate this delightful treat at home.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Puff Pastry (cold) | 230g |
| Sugar | 250g |
| All-Purpose Flour (00) | 50g |
| Cornstarch (Maizena) | 50g |
| Whole Milk | 1L |
| Fresh Heavy Cream | 250ml |
| Egg Yolks | 5 |
| Vanilla Bean | 1 |
| Lemon Zest | ½ |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~400 kcal |
| Protein | ~6g |
| Fat | ~20g |
| Carbohydrates | ~45g |
| Fiber | ~1g |
| Sugars | ~25g |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Custard Filling
Start by making the creamy custard that will be the heart of your Flan Parisien. In a saucepan, whisk together the 5 egg yolks and sugar over low heat. This helps the sugar dissolve without overheating the eggs, which could cause them to curdle.
Add the cornstarch and all-purpose flour to the egg-sugar mixture, sifting them beforehand to ensure smoothness. Continue mixing the ingredients with a whisk until the mixture is fully combined and homogeneous. This step ensures that the flan filling will be lump-free and silky in texture.
Step 2: Incorporate the Milk and Cream
Next, gradually add the whole milk to the mixture. It’s important to pour the milk in a steady stream while stirring with a whisk to prevent clumping. This allows the mixture to combine without forming any lumps. Add the fresh cream into the mixture and keep stirring, making sure everything is well integrated.
Step 3: Add the Flavoring
For that distinctive flan flavor, slice the vanilla bean down its length and scrape out the seeds using a small knife. Add both the seeds and the vanilla pod into the milk and egg mixture. To enhance the aroma and richness, zest half a lemon and add the zest to the mixture. Let it all cook together over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly, until the custard has thickened to the consistency of a smooth pastry cream.
Once the custard has thickened and reached the perfect creamy texture, remove it from the heat and discard the vanilla pod. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before using it in the next steps.
Step 4: Prepare the Puff Pastry
While the custard is cooling, take your chilled puff pastry dough from the fridge. It’s crucial that the pastry is cold when you work with it, as it will help prevent it from shrinking or puffing up excessively during baking. Unroll the pastry sheet and carefully lay it into a 24 cm (9-inch) round tart pan with a removable bottom. Ensure that the pastry covers the base and sides of the pan, pressing it gently into place. You can leave the baking paper under the pastry to prevent it from sticking.
Step 5: Fill and Bake
Once the custard has cooled to room temperature, pour it into the prepared pastry shell. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface, ensuring that the entire base is covered.
Place the tart into a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard has set. The pastry should puff up beautifully, and the edges should become a lovely golden hue. Be sure to check the custard by gently shaking the pan to confirm that it has thickened properly.
Step 6: Cooling and Serving
Once the Flan Parisien is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. After it cools slightly, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.
Once the dessert has cooled, carefully remove the pastry from the pan. Slice into wedges and serve as a delightful treat after dinner. You can dust the top with powdered sugar for a decorative touch, or even serve it with fresh berries or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an added indulgence.
Tips and Variations
- If you’re in a hurry, store-bought puff pastry works perfectly fine for this recipe.
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider infusing the milk with a cinnamon stick or orange zest while heating.
- To ensure a smooth texture, be sure to strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve before pouring it into the pastry shell.
- For a more decadent twist, you can add a bit of dark rum or a splash of liqueur to the custard for an adult version.
Flan Parisien is an elegant and indulgent dessert that perfectly balances sweetness with richness, making it a show-stopper at any gathering. With its smooth custard center and crisp, buttery pastry, it’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Enjoy baking and savor every bite of this exquisite French classic!
