Malva Pudding

This is a traditional South African dessert. It is absolutely delicious and will compliment any gathering from a formal dinner party to something sweet to serve when just having friends over for coffee or tea. It's also very easy to prepare. The name is derived from its consistency when done.

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cake

3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon apricot jam (or preserves, chopped very finely)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter (a generous tablespoon)
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/3 cup milk

Sauce

3/4 cup fresh cream
1 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Beat or whip the sugar and eggs (preferably in a food processor but if you don't have one then a hand mixer will do just as well) until thick and lemon colored. Then, add the apricot jelly or preserves and mix thoroughly.

Sieve together the flour, soda and salt in a sifter to thoroughly mix them and to also get any lumps out of the flour. Melt the butter without bringing it to a boil and add the vinegar. Add this mixture, along with the milk, to the eggs and sugar, alternately adding in the flour. Beat well.

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes.

 

In a sauce pan, melt together the ingredients for the sauce but again do not bring it to a boil and stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from separating.

 

When the cake has baked 20 - 25 minutes, take it out of oven and make five or six holes - at intervals - in it with the blunt end of a wooden spoon. Gently pour the sauce over the pudding. Return to the oven for the remainder of the baking time.

 

This is delicious served warm or cold.

 

Makes roughly 4 servings. You can double the ingredients if necessary if serving more guests.

 

Enjoy!

 

Carey