GRANMA'S MALVA PUDDING. SOUTH AFRICAN DESSERT

Name: GRANMA'S MALVA PUDDING. SOUTH AFRICAN DESSERT
Total time: PT-482561H17M19S
Yield: 6
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 180 g white granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons apricot jam (apricot jelly); 150 g all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons butter (about 30 g); 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar; 80 ml milk; 300 ml heavy cream / whipping cream; 100 g unsalted butter; 90 g sugar; 1/4 cup hot water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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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! Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a potluck, or the holidays, this easy recipe for malva pudding will become your go-to. Don't forget to serve it with custard or ice cream on the side!

A slice of Malva pudding with custard dripping down the sides.

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

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EASY MALVA PUDDING RECIPE
MALVA PUDDING ORIGIN
A FEW DESSERTS TO TRY NEXT TIME:
❤️ WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS
FOR THE SAUCE:
👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE MALVA PUDDING
WHAT TO SERVE MALVA PUDDING WITH?
📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
❓FAQS
💫 MAKE-AHEAD, STORAGE AND REHEATING

EASY MALVA PUDDING RECIPE

This easy recipe for malva pudding is everything you want in a dessert: rich, spongy, cakey, and drenched in a buttery sauce. It's my family's FAVORITE PUDDING!!

Whether you call it "poeding" or simply malva, it’s a nostalgic treat that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual dinners like a braai (BBQ) to fine dining.

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

It’s a slice of South Africa’s sweet heritage you’ll love sharing with family and friends!

The gooey centre of homemade malva pudding. — **LOOK AT THAT MOIST, BUTTERY CENTRE!**

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 slice of malva pudding with custard on a side plate.

A FEW DESSERTS TO TRY NEXT TIME:

A coffee cupcake with a jar of coffee in the background. — **COFFEE CUPCAKES**

chia spice cake on a plate with cream cheese frosting.. — **COFFEE CUPCAKES**

❤️ WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Simple and Nostalgic: This baked pudding is an easy way to bring a slice of South African tradition to your table.

Rich and More-ish: The buttery caramel sauce paired with the spongy pudding is pure indulgence—perfect for cozy evenings or special celebrations. (If it's a warm day- serve it with ice cream on the side.)

Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether served as a casual family dessert or as part of a fine-dining, potluck-style spread, this malva pudding is always a crowd-pleaser.

Malva pudding in a bowl with custard poured over the baked pudding.

🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS

WHITE GRANULATED 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 bake the sauce a lot darker in color.

WATER:

Hot water

VANILLA EXTRACT:

For added flavor.

👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE MALVA PUDDING

Preheat and Prep

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

Make the Batter

Add the jam (jelly). — BEAT THE EGGS AND SUGAR TOGETHER.

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.

Add the melted butter. — ADD THE MELTED BUTTER.

Add the vinegar. — ADD THE MELTED BUTTER.

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.

Pour the batter into the greased baking dish. — POUR THE BATTER INTO THE GREASED BAKING DISH.

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.

The Secret Sauce

While the pudding is baking, it’s time to make the magic happen with 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)

Once baked, poke with holes. — MAKE THE SAUCE

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, 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.

Malva pudding, a favorite South African dessert, straight out of the oven.

📝 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.

A slice of pudding with the spoon stuck into it.

❓FAQS

WHY DOES MY PUDDING SINK IN THE MIDDLE?

A little dip is fine. If it is a huge dip it's likely that you are removing it from the oven too soon.

CAN I MAKE THIS GLUTEN-FREE?

Yes, substitute with gluten-free flour.

WHAT CAN I BAKE THIS PUDDING IN?

A glass baking dish, a ceramic baking dish, or even muffin tins for mini malva's.

💫 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 fogginess.

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 💚