Chocoflan: An Exquisite Combination of Chocolate and Flan, Chocoflan, also known as “pastel imposible” or “impossible cake,” is a luscious dessert that combines the best of both worlds – chocolate cake and creamy caramel flan. This delectable treat hails from Mexico and has gained popularity all around the globe for its impressive presentation and indulgent flavors. In this article, we will explore the many facets of chocoflan – from its key ingredients to its preparation, along with some helpful tips to ensure a flawless result.
To create a chocoflan, you’ll need a handful of basic ingredients that can be easily found in most pantries. Let’s start with the flan layer. You’ll require some eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. For the chocolate cake layer, gather all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and hot water. These simple yet essential ingredients come together beautifully to create a heavenly dessert that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
Chocoflan recipe: a simple dessert
- Yield: 8 servings.
- Total preparation and cooking time: 2 hours.
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake
- 125 g of chocolate to melt.
- 80 gr of butter at room temperature.
- 3 large eggs.
- 125 gr of white sugar (equivalent to ½ cup).
- 80 gr of wheat flour 0000 (equivalent to ⅔ cup).
- 2 tablespoons of pure cocoa powder.
- 1 pinch of salt.
For the flan
- 300 ml of milk (equivalent to 1 cup and ¼)
- 4 large eggs
- 120 grams of white sugar (equivalent to ½ cup)
for the caramel
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 3 tablespoons of water
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the preparation process. To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cake pan. The ideal pan for chocoflan is a 10-inch round bundt pan, as its shape enhances the contrasting layers. Grease the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
The first step in preparing chocoflan is making the caramel sauce. In a saucepan, melt 1 cup of granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring gently until it turns a rich golden-brown color. Be careful while handling the hot caramel as it can cause severe burns. Quickly pour the caramel into the greased cake pan, ensuring that the base is evenly coated. Set the pan aside to let the caramel cool and harden.
Next, prepare the flan mixture. In a blender, combine 4 eggs, 1 can of condensed milk, 1 can of evaporated milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth. Pour the flan mixture into the cake pan over the hardened caramel, ensuring not to disturb the caramel layer. To prevent air bubbles from forming, pour the flan mixture over the back of a spoon held over the caramel layer.
With the flan layer in place, it’s time to move on to the chocolate cake batter. In a mixing bowl, sift together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of cocoa powder, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, ½ cup of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of hot water. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense cake, so be careful not to overdo it. The batter will be thin, but that’s completely normal.
Gently pour the chocolate cake batter over the flan layer, making sure to cover it evenly. At this point, you may be perplexed as to how the layers will flip during the baking process. Don’t worry, chocoflan works its magic through a marvelous baking phenomenon. As the cake bakes, the flan mixture will sink to the bottom of the pan, while the chocolate cake will rise to the top, resulting in the famed “impossible” layers.
Place the filled cake pan in a larger baking dish and create a bain-marie by pouring hot water into the larger dish, reaching halfway up the sides of the cake pan. This water bath ensures even baking and a moist final product. Gently place the bain-marie in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the chocolate cake layer comes out clean.
Once the chocoflan is fully baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the cake pan for at least 4 hours, allowing the flan to set completely. Chocoflan is best served chilled, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for special occasions.
Now that we’ve covered the preparation process, here are a few additional tips to enhance your chocoflan experience. While making the caramel sauce, keep a close eye on the sugar as it can burn quickly. Stir constantly and remove the saucepan from the heat as soon as it transforms into a golden-brown liquid. For a twist on the classic caramel flavor, you can experiment with adding a pinch of salt or a splash of citrus juice to the sauce. These additions will elevate the overall taste profile of the dessert.
When pouring the flan mixture over the caramel layer, remember to do so gently to avoid disturbing the caramel. It’s also essential to pour the flan mixture slowly over the back of a spoon to minimize air bubbles. This technique ensures a smooth flan layer without any unappealing pockets of air.
In terms of the chocolate cake batter, it’s vital not to overmix the ingredients. Overmixing can cause the cake to become dense and lose its lightness. Mixing until just combined will yield a tender and airy chocolate layer that contrasts beautifully with the creamy flan below.
While baking the chocoflan, every oven is different, so be sure to keep an eye on the cake after the 50-minute mark. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the chocolate cake layer. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready to be taken out of the oven. Remember that the baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so it’s always advisable to rely on the toothpick test rather than the clock.
Chocoflan, with its stunning appearance, velvety chocolate cake, and creamy caramel flan, is an irresistible dessert that will leave your taste buds craving more. Its harmonious combination of contrasting flavors and textures is truly a treat for both the eyes and the palate. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging your sweet tooth, chocoflan brings a touch of elegance and decadence to any dessert table. So, gather your ingredients, whip up this marvelous creation, and savor every delightful bite of chocoflan perfection.
