Apple Flan
A buttery apple flan with a crisp crust and sweet apricot glaze, perfect for a cozy dessert that balances tart apples with caramelized sugar and a hint of citrus.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and salt.
- Cut in 1/2 cup butter until particles resemble small peas.
- Sprinkle with ice water and mix lightly with a fork.
- Form dough into balls.
- Flatten into 6-inch circles, wrap and chill for at least 1½ hours until firm.
- Toss apples with lemon juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar; set aside.
- Using a lightly floured stockinette-covered rolling pin, roll out pastry to 1/8-inch thickness on a cookie sheet.
- Place a 9-inch layer cake pan on the pastry.
- Cut around the edge with a knife or pastry wheel.
- Remove excess pastry and reserve.
- Prick the dough with a fork and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Cool on a cookie sheet on a rack.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier crust, ensure your butter is very cold when cutting it into the flour. If you don't have apricot preserves, peach or apple preserves can work as a substitute. You can also sweeten the apples with honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a natural touch. Chill the dough longer if it's too soft to handle.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the apple flan warm, drizzled with a bit of extra apricot preserves for added sweetness. It pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful dessert. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a light salad or enjoy it with a cup of tea.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F and warm the flan for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain the crust's crispness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Apple Flan contains roughly 336 calories, with 3g protein, 69g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1784mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?
Yes, while tart and firm apples are preferred for baking, you can experiment with sweeter varieties like Fuji or Honeycrisp. Just adjust the sugar in the filling to balance the sweetness.
How can I make this flan gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your preserves are also gluten-free, and follow the rest of the recipe as instructed.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. This not only saves time but also allows the flavors to meld for a richer taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).