A beloved South African dessert, Malva Pudding is a soft, caramelized sponge pudding served warm with a rich cream sauce. It is a staple at family gatherings and Sunday lunches across South Africa.
Ingredients
For the pudding
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp apricot jam
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup milk
For the sauce
- 1 cup fresh cream
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Grease an ovenproof baking dish.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until light and creamy.
- Mix in the apricot jam, vinegar, and melted butter.
- Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, stirring until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
Make the Sauce
- While the pudding bakes, combine the cream, butter, sugar, hot water, and vanilla in a saucepan.
- Heat gently, stirring until the butter and sugar have dissolved.
Finish
- Remove the pudding from the oven.
- Prick the surface all over with a skewer.
- Pour the hot sauce evenly over the hot pudding.
- Allow it to absorb for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestion
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, custard, or lightly whipped cream.
Quality | Style | Joy Tip: Garnish with fresh berries and a dusting of icing sugar for an elegant finish that turns this traditional favourite into a memorable dessert experience.
