Malva Pudding with Creamy Sauce

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Warm. Buttery. Absolutely Irresistible.

Thereโ€™s something magical about a dessert that feels like a hug โ€” and this Malva Pudding is just that. A traditional South African treasure, this golden sponge pudding is soft, sweet, and drenched in a rich cream sauce that soaks into every inch of the cake. It’s the ultimate winter comfort dessert, best served warm and topped with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or custard.

Whether you’re serving guests or treating yourself to a nostalgic dessert night, this pudding never fails to impress.

Equipment:

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or hand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 8ร—8-inch (20x20cm) baking dish
  • Saucepan (for sauce)
  • Oven

Ingredients

For the Pudding:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ยผ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp apricot jam
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
  • ยฝ cup milk

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ยฝ cup milk
  • ยฝ cup butter
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and lightly grease your baking dish.

2. Mix the Batter
In a bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, apricot jam, melted butter, vinegar, and milk until smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until fully combined and smooth.

3. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35โ€“40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Make the Cream Sauce
While the pudding bakes, combine cream, milk, butter, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Do not boil โ€” just heat gently until smooth and steamy.

5. Soak the Pudding
As soon as the pudding comes out of the oven, use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the warm sauce over the hot pudding, letting it soak in deeply.

6. Let It Rest & Serve
Let the pudding sit for 15โ€“20 minutes to absorb all the sauce. Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream, custard, or a generous spoonful of whipped cream.

Tasty Trails Tips:

  • Add a twist: Try a splash of brandy or a bit of orange zest in the sauce for extra warmth and flavor.
  • Make ahead: This pudding reheats beautifully โ€” just cover and warm gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
  • Sweet swap: If youโ€™re low on apricot jam, peach or orange marmalade makes a great substitute!

Final Thoughts

This Malva Pudding with Creamy Sauce is comfort food at its finest โ€” rich, nostalgic, and perfect for sharing (or not!). Whether itโ€™s a rainy day or a festive gathering, this dessert delivers warm smiles in every bite.

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