🍮French Custard Pudding Caramel Cake – Creamy, Sweet, and Elegant Delight
🍮 Custard Pudding Caramel Cake.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
¼ cup water
Custard (Flan Layer)
4 large eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk (395 g)
1½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake Batter
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup sugar
½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
2 eggs
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Caramel
In a saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium heat.
Do not stir—just swirl the pan gently.
When it turns deep golden, pour immediately into a cake pan or loaf pan.
Tilt to coat the bottom evenly. Set aside.
2️⃣ Prepare the Custard
In a bowl, whisk eggs gently (do not overbeat).
Add condensed milk, milk, and vanilla.
Mix until smooth.
Carefully pour over the caramel layer.
3️⃣ Prepare the Cake Batter
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk sugar, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix until just combined.
4️⃣ Assemble
Slowly pour the cake batter over the custard layer.
Don’t worry—the layers will separate naturally while baking.
5️⃣ Bake (Water Bath)
Place the cake pan inside a larger baking tray.
Fill the tray with hot water halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 50–60 minutes.
A knife inserted should come out mostly clean.
6️⃣ Cool & Unmold
Let cool completely at room temperature.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (best overnight).
Run a knife around the edges and invert onto a plate.
✨ Tips for Perfect Results
Use room-temperature ingredients
Do not overmix custard to avoid bubbles
Always use a water bath for smooth texture
Chill well before unmolding
🍽️ Serving
Serve cold
Garnish with fresh fruit or whipped cream if desired
Indulge in the luxurious layers of flavor and texture with French Custard Pudding Caramel Cake, a dessert that embodies elegance, sophistication, and the irresistible charm of French patisserie. This dessert combines a soft, moist sponge cake, a silky smooth custard pudding, and a rich caramel topping, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness, creaminess, and delicate textures that make every bite unforgettable. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or an indulgent treat at home, this cake captures the essence of French dessert craftsmanship while remaining approachable and utterly delicious.
The foundation of this dessert is a light and airy sponge cake. Typically made with eggs, sugar, flour, and a touch of vanilla, the sponge provides a soft, slightly springy texture that perfectly supports the custard layer. The key to a perfect sponge is gentle folding of the batter to retain air and achieve a fluffy, tender crumb. Baked to a golden perfection, the sponge serves as a subtle yet flavorful base that balances the richness of the custard and the sweetness of the caramel topping.
The custard pudding layer is the heart of this French delicacy. Made from high-quality milk or cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, the custard is cooked to a velvety smooth consistency that melts in the mouth. The careful balance of heat and constant stirring ensures a creamy texture without curdling, resulting in a pudding that is rich, smooth, and luxuriously indulgent. This layer sits atop the sponge, creating a soft, creamy contrast to the cake’s lightness and adding a sophisticated touch of French elegance.
Topping the cake is a glossy, golden caramel layer, which adds depth, sweetness, and visual appeal. The caramel is carefully prepared by melting sugar until it reaches a rich amber hue and then poured over the custard pudding. Its subtle bitterness balances the sweetness of the sponge and custard, creating a harmonious flavor profile. The caramel also adds a slight crunch as it sets, contrasting beautifully with the soft custard and cake beneath, giving every bite a delightful textural experience.
Presentation is key in a dessert like this. The caramel topping glistens under the light, making the cake visually striking, while slices reveal the distinct layers of sponge, custard, and caramel. Garnishes such as fresh fruits, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar can enhance its appearance and flavor. Serving this cake chilled allows the custard to set perfectly, providing a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that holds its shape beautifully on the plate.
The versatility of French Custard Pudding Caramel Cake makes it suitable for various occasions. It can be served as a centerpiece dessert for a dinner party, an indulgent afternoon treat with coffee or tea, or a show-stopping addition to a dessert table at special celebrations. Its combination of textures and flavors—light, creamy, sweet, and slightly bitter—ensures it appeals to all ages and palates, offering both sophistication and comfort in each bite.