noun

flan

An open pastry case with a sweet or savory filling.

The strawberry flan has a crisp pastry shell and fresh fruit.

Etymology

The older word names a flat cake or tart. The pastry sense preserves that broad form, with a shallow case holding a filling.

More examples

  • She fills the flan's pastry shell with mushrooms and cheese.
  • We bake small apple flans in shallow pans.
  • He cuts the peach flan into six neat slices.

Forms

flan · flans

Similar words

tart
Tart is the more usual American term for this pastry.
quiche
Quiche specifically has a savory filling made with eggs.
pie
Pie may have a top crust and a deeper filling.