How to Make the Perfect Malva Pudding
South African · Easy · 50 min · 8 servings
This warm sticky South African sponge pudding soaked in buttery caramel sauce is a beautifully comforting kid friendly recipe that children find absolutely irresistible. The simple batter comes together in minutes and the sauce that gets poured over the hot pudding creates a magical caramelized transformation kids love watching.
Why this recipe works
This Malva Pudding recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 450 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 200 g all purpose flour
- 150 g caster sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
- 250 ml full fat milk
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 150 g brown sugar
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix the Pudding Batter
Whisk eggs and caster sugar until light and combined. Stir in apricot jam then add flour alternately with milk mixing until a smooth batter forms. Pour into a greased 20x30cm baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 2: Bake the Pudding
Bake at 180 degrees C for 35 minutes until the pudding is deep golden brown on top and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. The pudding will puff up beautifully during baking.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce
While the pudding bakes combine heavy cream, brown sugar and 100g of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Soak and Serve
As soon as the pudding comes out of the oven poke holes all over the surface with a skewer. Pour the hot caramel sauce slowly and evenly over the pudding allowing it to soak in completely. Serve warm with ice cream or extra cream.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- apricot jam → peach jam or caramel spread for a slightly different but equally delicious sweet flavor
- heavy cream in sauce → evaporated milk for a lighter sauce with a slightly more caramelized milky flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not pouring the sauce over the pudding while it is still hot which prevents proper absorption into the sponge
- Underbaking the pudding and then drowning it in sauce causing the center to become wet and unbaked tasting
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 450 calories, 5g protein, 62g carbs, 21g fat, 1g fiber.
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