This Coconut Fruit Flan has a light and airy cake-like sponge flan case, topped with a creamy coconut filling and fresh berries. It's similar to a pie, but with a cake crust!
1cup(250ml) coconut cream(the thick cream from the top of a can of coconut milk)
4tablespooncaster (superfine) sugar
3tablespooncoconut oil
2teaspoonvanilla extract
To decorate:
Mixed fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries etc.
3tablespoonseedless strawberry jam
Fresh mint
Shredded (desiccated) coconut
Instructions
For the sponge flan base
Preheat the oven to 350F / 180C. Generously grease a 20cm fluted flan tin, then dust with flour.
Beat the eggs, sugar and butter in a large bowl, with an electric mixer, for approx 3 minutes until pale colored and thick.
Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and, by hand, very gently fold the mixture until combined and there are no streaks of flour. Take care not to beat the mixture.
Pour into the prepared pan and smooth to the edges.
Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown and the centre springs back when touched.
Allow to cool slightly, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
For the coconut filling
Make a slurry by stirring the cornflour into 3 tablespoon of cold water. Set aside.
Add the coconut cream, sugar, coconut oil and vanilla to a small pot, stir well, and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cornflour slurry. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring well, until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool slightly until it’s no longer hot to touch.
Pour the coconut filling into the flan base and spread out evenly to level. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to set completely.
Heat the jam in a small pan with 2 teaspoon water to loosen it. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, add the fruit to the chilled tart decoratively. Brush the fruit with the glaze, taking care not to disturb the fruit. Sprinkle with coconut. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
If you don't want to make the sponge flan case, then buy one pre-made, or buy or bake a pastry crust. Check out this easy pie crust recipe.
A sponge flan base isn't very deep. If you're using this recipe to fill a standard pastry crust, then double the coconut filling recipe to fill it up.
For the sponge flan base, ideally beat the eggs, butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Although you can also beat very vigorously with a hand whisk.
When folding the dry ingredients in, ensure it's completely mixed, but take care not to beat the mixture. You want to keep all the air in the mixture so the sponge is light and fluffy.
For best results, the eggs for the flan base should be at room temperature.