Soft, sticky and soaked in syrup, malva pudding is one of those desserts that instantly feels like home. And this year, it feels especially fitting to make it today, Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated each year on his birthday. Madiba was known to have a soft spot for malva pudding, and it’s easy to see why. It’s warm, yummy, and made for sharing. Serve it with vanilla custard or fresh cream.

Ingredients

For the pudding:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp apricot jam
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Pinch salt

For the sauce:

• 1 cup cream
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tbsp golden syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a medium baking dish.
2. Beat the sugar and eggs together until light and pale.
3. Add the apricot jam and melted butter and mix well.
4. Stir in the vinegar and milk.
5. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
8. While the pudding bakes, combine all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan.
9. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring until smooth.
10. As soon as the pudding comes out of the oven, pour the hot sauce evenly over the top.
11. Allow to stand for 10 minutes so the sauce can soak in.