Julia Child Cinnamon Toast Flan Recipe: Sweet & Simple Magic

Cinnamon toast flan weaves a spellbinding narrative of sweet nostalgia and culinary artistry.

This decadent dessert blends comforting cinnamon warmth with silky custard perfection.

Whispers of caramel and delicate spice transform simple ingredients into a sensational treat.

Each velvety bite tells a story of traditional techniques meeting modern creativity.

Smooth and luxurious, the flan dances between rustic charm and refined elegance.

Home cooks can effortlessly craft this impressive dessert that looks like it came from a professional kitchen.

One taste will send your senses on an unforgettable journey through layers of rich, indulgent flavor.

Tips for Texture and Cinnamon Flavor Balance

• Bake with Care: Select high-quality cinnamon bread with visible swirls for the most decadent flavor and texture. Stale bread works wonderfully, absorbing custard more effectively than fresh slices.
• Customize Your Caramel: Experiment with dark brown sugar or add a splash of bourbon to the caramel for a deeper, more complex sweetness. A pinch of sea salt can elevate the caramel's richness and balance the overall sweetness.
• Spice It Up: Enhance the custard with additional warm spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or a dash of orange zest. These subtle additions can transform the classic recipe into a uniquely personal dessert that surprises and delights.
• Make It Your Own: Try different bread varieties like brioche or challah for varied textures. Dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk work well for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comforting dessert.

How to Present Cinnamon Toast Flan Beautifully

• Sprinkle Powdered Sugar Magic: Dust the top of the caramel-coated bread flan with a delicate layer of powdered sugar for an elegant, sweet finishing touch that adds a beautiful white contrast.
• Garnish with Fresh Berries: Arrange vibrant strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries around the flan to create a colorful, fresh accent that complements the rich caramel and cinnamon flavors.
• Serve with Whipped Cream Dollop: Add a generous dollop of soft, fluffy whipped cream on the side or directly on top of each slice to enhance the creamy texture and provide a light, airy counterpoint to the dense dessert.
• Pair with Coffee or Dessert Wine: Complement the sweet, spiced flan with a steaming cup of espresso or a small glass of sweet dessert wine like Moscato to elevate the overall tasting experience and bring out the dessert's complex flavors.

Flan Storage for Freshness and Creaminess

• Preserve Freshness: Refrigerate the cinnamon bread flan in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a silicone lid to prevent moisture loss and absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze with Care: Wrap individual portions or the entire flan in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen flan stays delicious for 2-3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat Gently: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let the flan sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften and restore its creamy texture.
• Portion and Prep: Cut the flan into individual servings before storing. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean, precise slices. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking when storing multiple pieces.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

What’s in Julia Child’s Cinnamon Toast Flan

• Cinnamon Bread: Select soft, freshly baked bread with visible cinnamon swirls and pillowy texture from local bakery.

• Granulated Sugar: Choose pure, fine-grain sugar for smooth caramel with deep golden color.

• Large Eggs, Whole Milk, Heavy Cream: Pick farm-fresh eggs with bright yellow yolks, full-fat milk with rich consistency, and cream with high butterfat content for luxurious texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure Madagascar or Tahitian vanilla for complex, aromatic flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon: Select high-quality, freshly ground cinnamon with warm, intense aroma.

• Sharp Knife: Use clean, well-sharpened knife for precise bread trimming.
• Measuring Tools: Ensure accurate measurements with standard kitchen measuring cups and spoons.
• 9-Inch Baking Dish: Select ceramic or glass dish with even heat distribution.
• Large Saucepan: Choose heavy-bottomed pan for consistent caramel preparation.

Kitchen Tools for Cinnamon Toast Flan

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for melting sugar and creating caramel.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for whisking custard ingredients together.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending eggs, milk, and other custard components smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Precise utensil for trimming bread crusts and cutting bread into uniform pieces.
• 9-inch baking dish: Rectangular ceramic or glass pan for assembling and baking the flan.
• Measuring tools: Cups and spoons for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Water bath container: Large pan for holding hot water during baking process.
• Serving plate: Flat dish for presenting and serving the final dessert.
• Spatula: Helpful for pressing bread and ensuring even custard distribution.
• Oven: Preheated to 350°F for baking the flan to perfection.

Flan-Making Made Simple with Julia’s Recipe

Create Caramel Bread Pudding

• Prep Cinnamon Bread

Select soft, aromatic cinnamon bread with beautiful swirls. Slice bread into neat, even pieces, removing crusts to ensure a smooth texture and elegant presentation.

• Build Caramel Foundation

Heat sugar slowly in a pan until it transforms into a golden, rich liquid. Pour molten caramel into a baking dish, swirling to coat the bottom completely. Let caramel set and harden into a glossy base.

• Whip Luxurious Custard

Combine eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes silky and fully blended, creating a luscious, creamy foundation for the pudding.

• Assemble and Soak

Arrange bread pieces carefully over the caramel layer. Gently pour custard over bread, allowing each slice to absorb the liquid completely. Press bread down softly to ensure maximum flavor penetration.

• Bake and Transform

Preheat oven and create a water bath for even cooking. Bake the pudding until the custard sets with a gentle wobble in the center, developing a golden, tempting surface.

• Serve and Enjoy

Cool the pudding completely, then refrigerate to enhance flavors. When ready, flip onto a serving plate, watching caramel cascade over the pudding, creating a stunning dessert that will impress everyone at the table.

Silky Julia Child Cinnamon Toast Flan Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Julia Child’s cinnamon toast flan blends classic French custard techniques with American breakfast comfort. Silky caramel-glazed dessert combines nostalgic bread flavors and elegant baking precision you’ll savor with delightful memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 large eggs
• 5 egg yolks
• 8 slices cinnamon bread
• 3 ¾ cups (890 ml) hot milk
• 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tbsps (22.5 ml) vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bread Preparation: Select premium cinnamon bread with a soft texture, then slice into uniform 1/2-inch thick pieces to guarantee optimal absorption and consistency.
2. Caramel Creation: Melt granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, swirling continuously until it transforms into a rich amber liquid without stirring, then pour into a 9-inch round baking dish, coating bottom and sides evenly.
3. Custard Composition: Whisk eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and perfectly integrated.
4. Layering Technique: Arrange cinnamon bread slices in an overlapping pattern within the caramel-lined dish, ensuring complete bottom coverage, then gently pour custard mixture over bread, allowing liquid to saturate every crevice.
5. Resting Phase: Let the prepared dish rest for 15-20 minutes, enabling bread to absorb custard and develop a luxurious, pudding-like consistency.
6. Thermal Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and create a water bath by placing the baking dish in a larger roasting pan filled with hot water.
7. Baking Process: Cook the flan for 45-50 minutes, watching for slight edge jiggle while ensuring the center sets but remains slightly soft.
8. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven, cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 2 hours before inverting onto a serving platter, allowing caramel to cascade dramatically over the bread for a decadent presentation.

Notes

• Choose Premium Bread: Select high-quality, soft cinnamon bread with rich flavor and pillowy texture to elevate the dessert’s overall taste experience.
• Master Caramel Technique: Melt sugar slowly without stirring, swirling continuously to achieve a perfect amber color that prevents burning and ensures smooth caramelization.
• Absorb Custard Completely: Let bread soak for 15-20 minutes before baking, allowing complete saturation and developing a luxurious, pudding-like consistency with maximum flavor penetration.
• Bake with Precision: Use a water bath and monitor baking time carefully, ensuring edges have a slight jiggle while the center remains soft for the perfect custard texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg