Impress your sweetheart with this fabulous magic red velvet flan cake. This cake is not only stunning to look at, it’s also absolutely divine to devour! Plus, something magical happens during baking.
Woo-hoo! I’ve been waiting to share this beautiful cake with you for quite some time. Since November, I think?? You know, when I was going crazy in my kitchen baking away to prepare bunch of new recipes in advance before my little guy’s arrival. In the process I almost gave my in-laws diabetes! I mean we’re talking so much sweets and chocolates and cakes. Each recipe is made at least twice, so you do the math!
But I didn’t get a single complaint when I sent this gorgeous cake out to the ranch. Only the praises! They’ve been talking about it weeks later.
How could you not though! We have a layer of moist red velvet cake, then smooth and rich flan, topped with sweet and delicious caramel sauce. Tell me how could you not love this giant gorgeous layers of deliciousness??
And what’s the magic about it, you ask?
You see, when you make this cake, you first pour the caramel sauce, then you add your red velvet cake batter, and only then you top with your custard. And while it’s baking in the oven, magic happens: the cake layer and flan layer switch places. What? Yes, yes, it truly does!! You just have to try it yourself to believe it!
Now, this is, of course, not something I came up with. I wish I was awesome like that, but I’m not!
I saw this magic chocolate flan cake on Cook’s Illustrated magazine. I was so intrigued by the magic part, that I had to try the recipe right away. And I’m so glad I did!
Then I decided to swap chocolate cake with red velvet cake to inspire you for Valentine’s Day dessert. You’ll totally impress your valentine with it!
Don’t be intimidated with the magic part, or ingredient list, or lengthy directions. As long as you follow the directions, you’ll get the gorgeous cake just like I did.
To be honest though, when I first made this cake, I was super anxious whether it turned out or not. Right out of the oven, it didn’t look like the layers had switched. I still saw a layer of custard (see the center pic on the bottom row ?), but have faith. It works every time, like magic!
And guess what? You need to make this cake in advance, preferably the night before you’re planning to serve. This cake needs some time to set. Perfect for special occasions, don’t ya think?
So are you going to treat your sweetheart with this magic cake? I’m definitely making this again for Valentine’s Day! Can’t wait. ?
Magic Red Velvet Flan Cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup (170 g) caramel sauce I used Kraft Caramels
For red velvet cake:
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoons (8 g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon red gel food coloring or 1 tablespoon red liquid food coloring
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon white distilled vinegar
For flan:
- 2 (14oz) can (790 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) whole milk
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese
- 6 large eggs
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat 14-cup nonstick Bundt pan with a cooking spray.
- Warm the caramel until it’s pourable and pour into the pan.
To make the red velvet cake batter
- Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg, vegetable oil, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add flour mixture and mix until smooth, about 1 minute.
- In a small dish, mix together baking soda and vinegar. While the soda/vinegar mixture is bubbling, add it to the batter and mix well.
- Pour the cake batter over the caramel in the Bundt pan.
To make the flan mixture
- Place all the ingredients for flan in a blender and blend until nice and smooth.
- Carefully and slowly pour the flan mixture over the cake batter and place it in a deep baking pan.
- Pour warm water into the baking pan until it reaches half way of the Bundt pan.
- Bake the cake for 75-90 minutes, or until inserted toothpick into the cake comes out clean and the flan reaches 180°F.
- Transfer the Bundt pan onto a wire rack, cool to room temperature about 2 hours, then refrigerate until set, at least 8 hours.
- Place the bottom third of Bundt pan in a bowl of hot tap water for a minute or so to soften the caramel sauce.
- Place a cake platter on top of the Bundt pan and gently turn the platter and pan upside down.
- Slowly remove the pan, allowing the caramel to drizzle over the top of the cake. Serve the cake immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Store the cake in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
⭐️ Did you make this recipe?
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Tips & Notes
Nutrition
Hi SHINEE , I just made but havnt cut into just yet .. I poured extra caramel after it was plated … how can I keep the caramel from getting on the plastic wrap as I am going to place it in the fridge? Can I take it as is and freeze it without covering it first to lock it in and then cover and freeze ? That’s how I do my donuts. I put them in on a sheet pan in the freezer. Let them freeze up and then individually wrap them in plastic wrap and then into a freezer bag.
Hi, Dolores!! Yes, your plan is smart! I don’t see any problem with it.