Pumpkin Cheese Flan – Ninja

Pumpkin Cheese Flan – Ninja Foodie is prepared with fresh pumpkins (calabaza) from my garden.  Most of all, when using the Ninja pressure cooker, you definitely save on prep and cooking time for the flan.  The Pumpkin Cheese Flan is topped with a thin caramel glaze.

When using cream cheese, the flan will have a denser creamy texture compared to the traditional flan that is prepared with milk.   You will definitely enjoy the rich pumpkin flavor due to the fresh pumpkin and spices.

Furthermore, you can use the dry method (without water) or the wet method (with water) to prepare the caramel.   I prefer to use the dry method because the sugar will melt faster and the caramel will have a slightly darker color.  The first step is to caramelize the sugar.

Caramelizing the Sugar!

Caramelize 1 cup of sugar over medium low heat.  Spread sugar evenly on the bottom of saucepan and then allow the sugar to begin to caramelize without stirring initially.

Once the sugar starts turning brown in some areas, stir sugar to distribute and mix well.

Continue stirring until the sugar crystals become liquid and have a brown color.  However, I prefer to use a wooden spoon because wooden spoons don’t conduct heat, unlike a metal spoon, and therefore, you don’t have to worry about burning your hands.   It takes approximately 5 to 8 minutes for the sugar to completely caramelize. 

The caramel is ready.  The sugar is completely caramelized with a golden-brown color. 

NOTE:  Never leave the saucepan unattended when caramelizing the sugar.  You don’t want to burn the sugar because burnt sugar will taste bitter. 

Caramelizing the Baking Pan for the Pumpkin Cheese Flan!

Immediately pour the caramel into a baking pan while still hot.   This Ninja baking pan measures 8.75 inches wide x 2.75 inches high.  

NOTE:   Similarly, you can use other baking pans that are designed for pressure cookers.

Swirl the caramel to coat bottom and sides of baking pan before it cools.  If you allow the caramel to cool, it will harden.  

Set aside the caramelized pan to harden.

Preparing the Pumpkin Cheese Flan Mixture!

I am harvesting one of the Caribbean pumpkins (also known as West Indian Pumpkins) from my garden.  The Taíno Indians cultivated the pumpkins in Puerto Rico.  The Caribbean pumpkins are sold whole or in wedges at the Latin Markets. 

For this recipe, we will be using 1 cup of puréed pumpkin.  Click on this link to learn How to Purée, Cook and Package West Indian Pumpkin.

In an electric blender, add the following ingredients:   ½ cup of evaporated milk, 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk, 1 package (8 ounces) soft cream cheese, 5 whole large beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, a pinch lite salt, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1 cup puréed pumpkin or use 100% pure canned pumpkin. .

Cover blender with lid and blend all the ingredients at high speed until a smooth consistency is formed.

After 30 seconds of blending at high speed, all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.  The pumpkin mixture has a smooth and creamy texture.

Place caramelized baking pan on top of reversible rack (Ninja silver wire rack).

We can now pour the pumpkin mixture into the caramelized baking pan.

We are almost ready to cook the flan under pressure.

Lastly, cover with aluminum foil to avoid any moisture or water from entering into pan.   Lift handle of reversible rack to position pan in place.  We are now ready to pressure cook the pumpkin flan for 30 minutes.

Pressure Cooking the Pumpkin Cheese Flan – Ninja Foodie!

Pour 3 cups of water into the cooking pot.

Insert reversible rack with pumpkin flan into pot. 

Place Pressure lid into lock position and turn the Pressure Release Valve to Seal position.

Press the power button and turn START/STOP dial to select the PRESSURE function.  We want to cook the Flan on High Pressure, which is automatically selected.   Press the TIME button and turn the dial to set the time for 30 minutes.  Press the START/STOP button again to begin the cooking process.  

When the cooking unit is completely pressurized, the 30 minutes cooking time will start counting down.

Once the flan is finished cooking, the unit will switch automatically to the Keep Warm mode, counting up.  We need to count up for 10 minutes to obtain the 10-minute natural release process.

After 10 minutes of naturally releasing the pressure, press the cancel button.  The next step is to release the remaining pressure.

The float valve is still in the up position – flush with the surface.  Turn the Pressure Release Valve to the vent position for a Quick Release.

The pressure is completely released from the unit when the float valve drops down.  We can now remove the lid from the pressure cooker. 

The last step is to carefully lift the reversible rack from cooking pot and place on a baking rack.

Releasing the Pumpkin Cheese Flan from Baking Pan!

Remove aluminum foil from baking pan.  Insert a food tester or toothpick in center of flan to check for doneness.  If the food tester comes out clean, then the flan is ready.  Cover pumpkin cheese flan again with aluminum foil after it has cooled slightly before placing the flan in the refrigerator overnight.

Place pumpkin cheese flan on baking rack uncovered when it is removed from the refrigerator.  Let stand at room temperature for a few minutes.  Before we can serve the flan, carefully run a knife around the inside edge of pan to loosen the flan. 

Place a large plate over flan and invert the flan.

Lift the baking pan carefully to release the flan. 

Once the pumpkin cheese flan is inverted onto the plate, wipe any spilled caramel around the edges with a clean damp towel.  The pumpkin cheese flan is ready. 

This Pumpkin Cheese Flan is perfectly cooked, using the Ninja Pressure Cooker, and topped with a light caramel glaze.  Enjoy a slice of this delicious pumpkin cream cheese flan with a cup of Puerto Rican coffee.

Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare Pumpkin Cheese Flan (Flan de Calabaza con Queso)!

Recipe and Nutritional Facts!

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only.  Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.

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