GRANMA'S MALVA PUDDING (SOUTH AFRICAN DESSERT!)

Granma's Malva Pudding (South African Dessert!) is an easy, baked pudding that is rich and covered in a sweet, buttery caramel-like sauce. It is the ultimate comfort food! Malva pudding is one of South Africa's best desserts! Don't forget to serve it with custard or ice cream on the side!

P.S. You will love my Bread and Butter Pudding next!

Childhood memories for my fellow South Africans right here 👊🏽 🇿🇦 👆🏼

Jump to:

• EASY MALVA PUDDING RECIPE
• 🇿🇦 MALVA PUDDING ORIGIN
• A FEW DESSERTS TO TRY NEXT TIME:
• 💰 WHY THIS IS A BUDGET-FRIENDLY RECIPE
• 🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS
• FOR THE SAUCE:
• 👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE MALVA PUDDING
• Make the Batter
• Bake
• The Secret Sauce
• WHAT TO SERVE MALVA PUDDING WITH?
• 📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
• ❓FAQS
• 💫 MAKE-AHEAD, STORAGE, AND REHEATING

EASY MALVA PUDDING RECIPE

Whether you call it "poeding" or simply malva, this easy recipe for malva pudding is perfect for any occasion, from casual dinners like a braai (BBQ) to fine dining.

If you love a South African Woolworths malva pudding (if you know, you know!), this will probably be the next best thing!

🇿🇦 MALVA PUDDING ORIGIN

Malva pudding originates from South Africa and is believed to have Dutch and Cape Malay influences, making it a beloved dessert in most South African homes and celebrations.

A FEW DESSERTS TO TRY NEXT TIME:

💰 WHY THIS IS A BUDGET-FRIENDLY RECIPE

• Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

• Great for a crowd: This pudding is relatively inexpensive and easily yields six portions, so double the recipe and make 2 puddings if you need to feed a crowd.

🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS

WHITE GRANULATED SUGAR:

It is also called table sugar or regular sugar.

EGGS:

Large, fresh eggs.

APRICOT JAM (JELLY):

Substitute with other smooth fruit preserves. Strawberry jam also works.

BUTTER:

Unsalted butter is best

VINEGAR:

White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

FLOUR, BAKING SODA, AND SALT:

Use a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option.

MILK:

Replace with almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free version.

FOR THE SAUCE:

FRESH CREAM:

Also called heavy cream or whipping cream.

BUTTER:

Unsalted butter.

WHITE GRANULATED SUGAR:

You could use light brown sugar, but it will make the sauce a lot darker in color.

WATER:

Hot water

VANILLA EXTRACT:

For added flavor.

👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE MALVA PUDDING

Preheat and Prep

1. Start by preheating your oven to 338°F (170°C). Grease a medium-sized baking dish.

Make the Batter

2. Beat the eggs and sugar together until they form a thick, yellow, custard-like texture. About 1-2 minutes. This step is crucial for creating that rich, spongy texture we love.

3. Beat in the apricot jam.

4. Melt the butter (DON'T BOIL) and mix it with vinegar. Add this to the batter and stir until smooth.

5. Then add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then add the milk and stir until combined.

Bake

6. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and springy to the touch. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

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The Secret Sauce

While the pudding is baking, it’s time to make the sauce:

7. Heat the cream, butter, sugar, and hot water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts.

8. Stir in the vanilla essence—and if you’re feeling festive, this is where you add that shot of whiskey for a caramel-like depth. (optional)

9. Once the pudding is out of the oven, poke holes all over the top with a toothpick. Pour the hot sauce evenly over the pudding, letting it soak in completely

10. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

11. 💫 If you loved this recipe, leave a 5-star review and rating!

WHAT TO SERVE MALVA PUDDING WITH?

Serve your malva pudding warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of Amarula (a South African cream liqueur), warm custard, or a dollop of fresh cream.

For an even better experience, pair it with traditional South African desserts like milk tart or a Cape Malay koeksister.

📝 TIPS AND TRICKS

HOW DO I MAKE MINI MALVA CAKES?

Use a muffin pan - 12 cups, greased well to prevent sticking.

Fill each cavity halfway to allow room for the pudding to rise.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Once baked, poke small holes in each mini pudding with a toothpick and pour the hot sauce over them while warm to soak up the buttery goodness.

❓FAQS

💫 MAKE-AHEAD, STORAGE, AND REHEATING

MAKE-AHEAD:

Planning ahead? Malva pudding is an excellent make-ahead dessert. Simply prepare the pudding as instructed, but save half the sauce. Pour half the sauce over the pudding right after baking, and reserve the rest for reheating. When it’s time to serve, gently reheat the pudding and drizzle the remaining sauce over the top for that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

STORAGE:

Store any leftover malva pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s completely cooled before sealing to avoid sogginess.

FREEZING:

You can freeze malva pudding for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

REHEATING:

To reheat, warm the pudding in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to retain moisture. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated through. Pour the reserved sauce over the top before serving for extra decadence.

Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚

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