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French Chocolate Flan Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 132 reviews

This French Chocolate Flan recipe combines a rich chocolate custard with a delicate chocolate tart base for a decadent dessert. The silken custard is baked atop a crisp cocoa-infused pastry crust, resulting in a creamy yet structured flan with a glossy jam finish. Perfect for chocolate lovers, this elegant treat requires careful layering and baking to achieve a smooth, jiggly center with a firm edge, making it a true showstopper for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Custard:

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 cup (200g) white sugar
  • ⅓ cup (42g) cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ cups (600ml) whole milk
  • 1 ¾ cups (400ml) heavy cream
  • 7 oz (200g) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon jam (for brushing on top, apricot or strawberry)

For the Chocolate Tart Base:

  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (35g) icing sugar
  • ¼ cup (25g) cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick (114g) butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chocolate Tart Base: In a bowl, mix together the flour, icing sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Melt the butter in the microwave and add it along with vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until a smooth, thick paste forms, then knead gently 3-4 times to form a dough without overworking it.
  2. Shape and Bake the Tart Base: Flatten the dough into a circle slightly larger than your pastry ring using your hands or a small rolling pin. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 10 minutes until the surface is dry.
  3. Trim the Tart Base: Immediately press the pastry ring into the warm tart base like a large cookie cutter without removing the ring. If using a loose-bottomed cake pan, see notes for alternative steps.
  4. Make the Chocolate Custard Mixture: Whisk egg yolks, whole eggs, and sugar in a bowl for 30 seconds until slightly lightened. Add cornstarch and salt, whisking until smooth.
  5. Temper the Eggs with Hot Milk and Cream: Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Gradually whisk small amounts of this hot liquid into the egg mixture to temper it and prevent curdling, continuing to add while whisking constantly until fully combined.
  6. Cook the Custard: Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan, reduce heat to medium-low, and whisk continuously until it bubbles and thickens—about 1-2 minutes more. The custard should coat the back of a spoon with a clear line when you run your finger through it.
  7. Incorporate Chocolate: Remove from heat. Optional: strain if lumps form. Add chopped dark chocolate and whisk until smooth, fully melted, and homogeneous.
  8. Assemble the Flan: Ensure pastry ring remains on the cooled tart base. Trim any excess dough from sides and lightly butter the inside of the ring. Pour the chocolate custard into the ring and smooth the surface with a palette knife.
  9. Bake the Flan: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 50-60 minutes until edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly.
  10. Cool and Chill: Let cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to fully set.
  11. Finish the Flan: Carefully remove the ring—use a sharp knife or warm gently if it resists. Melt 1 tablespoon of jam in the microwave for 20 seconds and brush a thin, glossy layer over the top of the flan for a beautiful finish.

Notes

  • If you don’t have a pastry ring, a loose-bottomed cake pan can be used but you may need to carefully press the tart base and custard as it won’t have the same sharp edges.
  • Kneading the dough too much can make the tart base tough; handle gently.
  • Tempering the egg mixture with hot milk slowly is essential to prevent scrambling the eggs.
  • Use a good quality dark chocolate (around 70% cacao) for intense flavor.
  • Apricot jam is traditional for glazing, but strawberry jam is a tasty alternative.
  • Ensure the flan is fully chilled overnight before removing from the ring to maintain its shape.

Keywords: French Chocolate Flan, Chocolate Custard Flan, Chocolate Tart Base, French Dessert, Chocolate Custard, Elegant Chocolate Flan

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/french-chocolate-flan-recipe/