Malva Pudding – South Africa's Favourite Dessert

The recipe I’m sharing today comes from the Singita Cookbook, where I had the privilege of working and living. Singita is known for its incredible food and immersive African experiences, and this malva pudding recipe is one of the best I’ve come across. With its addition of apricot jam and simple cream-based sauce, it strikes the perfect balance between richness and simplicity. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to prepare!

Malva Pudding: A Simple yet Delicious South African Treat

One of the best things about Malva pudding is its simplicity. Despite its rich, toffee-like taste that might lead you to think it requires fancy ingredients or complex baking methods, this dessert is surprisingly easy to make. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples – perfect for when you want to treat your loved ones to something special without too much fuss. The only ingredient you might not have on hand is the apricot jam, but that’s what gives the pudding its distinct flavor.

Before you dive into the recipe, remember that Malva pudding is best served warm, ideally 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This allows the creamy sauce to soak into the pudding, making each bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The best part? You pour the sauce over the pudding immediately after baking, so there’s very little waiting!

Malva Pudding Recipe

Ingredients:

360g cake wheat flour
Pinch of salt
15ml bicarbonate of soda
3 eggs
600g sugar
45ml smooth apricot jam
45ml melted butter
750ml milk
15ml vinegar

Sauce Ingredients:

125ml cream
60g butter
100g sugar
Serves 12-15

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 30cm x 15cm x 5cm baking dish with butter.
2. Sift the flour, salt, and bicarbonate of soda together in a mixing bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then, whisk in the apricot jam.
4. Melt the butter and add the milk. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the milk mixture. Mix until well incorporated.
5. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the vinegar and mix thoroughly.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. While the pudding is baking, prepare the sauce: combine all sauce ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
8. Once the pudding is out of the oven, poke holes in it using a skewer or fork, and pour the hot sauce over the pudding, allowing it to soak in.
9. Serve warm, and enjoy the taste of South Africa with your family and friends!

Serving Suggestions:

For the perfect South African dessert experience, serve your Malva pudding with ice cream or warm custard. As mentioned, it’s best served still warm, so you’ll want to prepare it just an hour before you plan to eat. Personally, our family loves this recipe with a good cup of coffee and some vanilla ice cream. The flavors complement each other perfectly, creating the ultimate indulgent treat.

Whether you're reliving a safari adventure or looking forward to one, sharing a plate of this delicious South African dessert brings a piece of Africa into your home. It’s an easy way to celebrate the festive season in true South African style – and a great conversation starter for family gatherings.

Happy baking, and may your festive season be filled with joy, love, and a little taste of Africa!