If there is a single pudding which shouts "South African" then this deliciously decadent dessert is it!
There is some dispute as to the origin of the name "Malva" with respect to the Malva Pudding
Some believe the pudding was named after a woman named Malva.
Others, because the pudding texture is soft and light, as is a marshmallow, and the Afrikaans for marshmallow is "malva" make the obvious connection in respect of the pudding
Still others believe that the name comes from the fact that Malva pudding used to be served, in the Cape, with a dessert wine called Malvacea from Maderia
However, irrespective of where the name Malva Pudding comes from, it is a superbly delicious dessert pudding
Malva Pudding Ingredients
For the Batter
2 large eggs room temperature
1 cup castor sugar
1 tbsp smooth apricot jam [do NOT use whole fruit]
6½ oz [185g] cake flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp vinegar
½ cup [125ml] milk
A little butter for greasing
For the Sauce
1 cup cream
½ cup butter
½ cup soft brown sugar
½ cup water
2 tsp treacle
½ tsp Vanilla essence
To Make the Malva Pudding
Preheat oven to 350
oF [180
oC]
First make the batter
Beat the eggs and castor sugar, in a large mixing bowl, until light and fluffy
Add the apricot jam and beat well
In another bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and the salt
Melt the butter, over low heat, in a saucepan. Add the vinegar and milk
Alternating the flour and milk mixtures, fold into the egg mixture
Grease a baking tray and pour the pudding batter into it.
Bake, on the middle shelf, for 45-50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean
Meanwhile make the sauce
Heat the cream, butter, brown sugar, water and treacle in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted
Do NOT let the sauce mixture boil
Remove from the heat and add the Vanilla essence
When you remove the pudding from the oven, pierce a number of times with a skewer, or the tines of a fork
Pour the hot sauce over it. The holes, previously made, enable the sauce to better permeate the Malva Pudding
Serve the dessert hot with Custard or Whipped cream... Malva pudding is also delicious eaten cold, with cold custard, whipped cream or even vanilla ice-cream.
Serves 6
Try more delicious puddings from Africhef, you'll like them, I'm sure.
