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Chocoflan: The Impossible Cake That Always Delivers


  • Author: Norah
  • Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Chocoflan — also known as “Impossible Cake” — is a stunning, two-layer dessert that magically separates while baking! Rich chocolate cake is topped with creamy vanilla flan and finished with a drizzle of caramel. Moist, decadent, and irresistible, it’s the perfect showstopper for holidays, parties, or family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  • ¼ cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)

  • 1 cup (215 g) dark brown sugar, lightly packed

  • 1 large egg, room temperature

  • 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour

  • ¼ cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ cup (120 ml) brewed coffee or water, room temperature

  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature

For the Flan:

  • 5 large eggs

  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

  • 1 cup (235 ml) whole milk or half-and-half

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven:

    • Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10-cup Bundt pan well and drizzle caramel sauce evenly into the bottom.

  2. Make the cake batter:

    • In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

    • Add the egg and mix until well combined.

    • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

    • Alternately mix in the dry ingredients, coffee, and buttermilk until the batter is smooth.

  3. Pour batter into pan:

    • Spread the cake batter evenly over the caramel in the Bundt pan.

  4. Make the flan:

    • In a blender or mixing bowl, combine eggs, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk (or half-and-half), and vanilla. Blend until smooth.

    • Gently pour the flan mixture over the cake batter (it will switch layers while baking!).

  5. Bake in a water bath:

    • Place the Bundt pan in a larger roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the Bundt pan.

    • Bake for 60–75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the chocolate cake comes out clean.

  6. Cool and invert:

    • Remove from water bath and cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).

    • To serve, loosen the edges with a knife and carefully invert onto a serving plate.

Notes

Coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor but can be replaced with water if preferred.

For a clean slice, wipe the knife between cuts.

This cake can be made a day ahead and gets better as it chills!

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Chocoflan, Impossible Cake, Flan Cake, Mexican Desserts, Chocolate Flan Cake