Description
Delicious Banana Malva Pudding is a classic South African dessert that beautifully combines the rich flavors of ripe bananas with the traditional sticky sponge soaked in a luscious vanilla cream sauce. This warm, comforting pudding is perfect for any occasion and can be served with vanilla ice cream or custard for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pudding
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk mixed with 1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
Sauce
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a medium-sized baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the mashed bananas, apricot jam, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, alternating with the milk-vinegar mixture, stirring gently after each addition until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Bake the Pudding. Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the pudding is golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Sauce. While the pudding is baking, combine heavy cream, sugar, butter, hot water, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted and the sugar is fully dissolved. Be careful not to let the sauce boil.
- Soak the Pudding. Once the pudding is out of the oven, use a skewer or fork to poke small holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the warm sauce over the hot pudding, allowing it to soak deeply into the sponge.
- Rest and Serve. Allow the pudding to rest for 10–15 minutes to absorb the sauce fully. Serve warm, ideally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or custard for a rich finishing touch.
Notes
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for extra depth of flavor.
- This pudding can be made ahead of time and reheated; add a splash of cream when warming to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: South African
