Malva Pudding

Name: Malva Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: South Africa
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 1 tbsp apricot jam; 1 1/2 cups flour; 1 tsp baking soda; Pinch of salt; 1 tbsp butter, melted; 1 tsp vinegar; 1 cup milk; 1 cup cream; 1/2 cup butter (for sauce); 1/2 cup sugar (for sauce)

8 servings15 min prep45 min cookMedium South Africa

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Malva Pudding

Story updated September 17, 2026

Malva pudding, a spongy, caramelized baked dessert soaked in warm cream sauce, is generally traced to Cape Dutch cooking traditions dating to the mid-1600s, connected to Dutch East India Company voyages between Europe and the Cape. Even its name is debated—theories point to the Afrikaans word for marshmallow, or to malvasia, a sweet wine once served alongside it.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tbsp apricot jam
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vinegar
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
1/2 cup butter (for sauce)
1/2 cup sugar (for sauce)

Instructions

1Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a baking dish.
2Beat sugar and eggs together until pale, then mix in apricot jam.
3Sift in flour, baking soda, and salt and fold to combine.
4Stir in melted butter, vinegar, and milk to form a smooth batter.
5Pour into the prepared dish and bake 35-40 minutes until springy and golden brown.
6While the pudding bakes, heat cream, butter, and sugar for the sauce until melted and combined.
7Pour the hot sauce evenly over the warm pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven, letting it soak in.
8Serve warm with custard or ice cream.

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