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

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Grease an ovenproof baking dish.
3. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and sugar until light and creamy.
5. Mix in the apricot jam, vinegar, and melted butter.
6. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, stirring until smooth.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared dish.
8. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.

Make the Sauce

1. While the pudding bakes, combine the cream, butter, sugar, hot water, and vanilla in a saucepan.
2. Heat gently, stirring until the butter and sugar have dissolved.

Finish

1. Remove the pudding from the oven.
2. Prick the surface all over with a skewer.
3. Pour the hot sauce evenly over the hot pudding.
4. 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.