If you have a hankering for something incredibly indulgent yet comforting, you are going to adore The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe. Imagine a warm, spongy chocolate cake soaked in a luscious, velvety sauce that melts in your mouth and leaves you craving more. This South African classic has been lovingly reinvented into a chocolate dream that perfectly balances rich cocoa flavor with a light, airy texture. Every bite feels like a cozy hug, making it an absolute must-try for any dessert lover looking to impress themselves or their guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe lies in its simple, authentic ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect blend of moisture, flavor, and richness that this pudding is famous for. You don’t need anything fancy to make a show-stopping dessert.
- 200 grams (1 cup) white sugar: Sweetens the pudding while helping to create that classic caramelized crust.
- 1 large free-range egg: Adds structure and richness, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
- 140 grams (1 cup) aerated, scooped, and leveled flour: The base for your pudding, providing body and substance.
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder: Infuses the entire dish with deep chocolate flavor without overpowering.
- 50 grams melted Lurpak butter: Brings buttery richness and keeps the pudding moist and tender.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda/bicarb: Acts as a leavening agent, giving the pudding its signature springy rise.
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar: Reacts with the soda to help lightness and softness develop.
- 250 milliliters (1 cup) milk: Adds creaminess and balances the dry ingredients for perfect batter consistency.
- 250 milliliters (1 cup) cream: Used in the decadent chocolate sauce, enriching the dessert further.
- 100 grams Lurpak salted butter: For the sauce, introducing a subtle saltiness that heightens the chocolate’s complexity.
- 90 grams (1/3 cup) sugar: Sweetens the sauce, perfectly complementing the chocolate.
- 100 grams good quality dark chocolate (such as Lindt 70%): The star ingredient in the sauce for an intense, bittersweet finish.
How to Make The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and generously butter a medium-sized ceramic baking dish, roughly 20cm in diameter. This step is essential to prevent the pudding from sticking and to help achieve that perfectly golden crust that everyone loves.
Step 2: Whip the Egg and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the egg and sugar on high speed for about five minutes. You want this mixture to become pale and fluffy, which is the secret behind the pudding’s airy texture. This step really brings volume and lightness to the batter.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. This ensures even distribution and prevents lumps, giving your pudding a smooth, consistent crumb and that irresistible chocolate kick.
Step 4: Add Butter and Vinegar
Melt the butter carefully, ideally in the microwave, then stir in the white vinegar. This mix is then folded into your batter. The vinegar’s acidity works with the baking soda to create tiny bubbles, making your pudding rise delightfully in the oven.
Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk
While your mixer is running, add the flour mixture and milk alternately to the batter in small parts. This helps to maintain the airiness you built earlier while blending all the flavors smoothly, producing a batter that’s just the right consistency—not too thick or too runny.
Step 6: Bake the Batter
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and cover it with a sheet of foil that’s been sprayed on one side with baking spray to prevent sticking. Bake for 45 minutes. You’ll know the pudding is done when it has puffed up nicely and springs back gently to the touch.
Step 7: Make the Rich Chocolate Sauce
As the pudding bakes, gently melt the cream, salted butter, sugar, and chopped dark chocolate together over a double boiler or a bowl resting on simmering water. Stir continuously until you have a smooth, warm sauce that will soak into the pudding and elevate every mouthful.
Step 8: Combine and Serve
Right after taking the pudding out of the oven, pour three-quarters of the warm chocolate sauce over it. The pudding will absorb the sauce beautifully, becoming even more moist and chocolatey. Reserve the rest of the sauce to pour over individual servings alongside whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
How to Serve The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted nuts adds texture and a beautiful finish. Fresh berries, especially raspberries, offer a bright contrast to the rich chocolate. Don’t forget a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream—that’s where the magic really happens.
Side Dishes
This dessert is quite fulfilling on its own, but if you want to round out the experience, serve it alongside a vibrant fruit salad or a simple espresso. The acidity in fruit or the bitterness in coffee complements the sweet, dense pudding perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more refined touch, serve individual portions of the pudding in ramekins or glass jars topped with the sauce and garnishes. You can also layer broken chunks with whipped cream and sauce in a trifle dish for a decadent, shareable delight. Presentation is your playground here!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your pudding tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to three days, retaining its moist texture and rich flavor, ready for a quick warm-up whenever the chocolate craving strikes.
Freezing
You can freeze the pudding either sliced or whole in an airtight container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat to enjoy that freshly baked warmth and chocolate sauce soaked right in.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds or warm the whole pudding in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10–15 minutes. Pour any reserved warm chocolate sauce over the top before serving to restore that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Absolutely! While 70% dark chocolate is ideal for its balance of sweetness and bitterness, you can experiment with milk or semi-sweet chocolate depending on your preference. Just remember that higher cocoa content gives a richer flavor, perfect for this pudding.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses regular wheat flour, so it is not gluten-free as is. However, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose blend for a similar texture, though slight adjustments might be needed to maintain the right consistency.
Can I make this pudding dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the regular milk and cream for their plant-based counterparts, such as almond or oat milk and coconut cream. Use dairy-free butter alternatives for both the batter and sauce, and the pudding will still turn out wonderfully indulgent.
What makes The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe different from traditional malva pudding?
This version incorporates rich cocoa powder and a decadent chocolate sauce, giving it a deep chocolate flavor twist without losing the light, spongy texture that makes malva pudding so beloved.
How do I know when the pudding is perfectly baked?
The pudding should rise and become springy to the touch. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs, indicating a perfectly baked dessert that’s moist but not underdone.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say that making The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe is a decision your taste buds will thank you for over and over. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a celebration in every bite and is surprisingly simple to bring together. Whether it’s for a family dinner or an indulgent treat just for you, this chocolate malva pudding is that sweet comfort food gem that always leaves room for seconds.
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The Best Chocolate Malva Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: South African
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This luscious Chocolate Malva Pudding is a rich, moist, and fluffy dessert featuring a deep chocolate flavor enhanced by a silky chocolate sauce. Perfectly baked to a light springy texture, this South African-inspired pudding is an indulgent treat ideal for serving warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
Ingredients
Pudding
- 200 grams (1 cup) white sugar
- 1 large free-range egg
- 140 grams (1 cup) aerated, scooped, and leveled flour
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 50 grams melted Lurpak butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda/bicarb
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 250 milliliters (1 cup) milk
Chocolate Sauce
- 250 milliliters (1 cup) cream
- 100 grams Lurpak salted butter
- 90 grams (1/3 cup) sugar
- 100 grams good quality dark chocolate (such as Lindt 70%)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and butter a medium-sized ceramic oven dish about 20 cm in diameter to prevent sticking and provide even baking.
- Beat Egg and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the egg and sugar on high speed for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and has increased in volume to create a light batter base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda to ensure even distribution and to prevent lumps in the batter.
- Melt Butter and Add Vinegar: Melt the butter in the microwave, then stir in the white vinegar. Add this liquid mixture to the egg and sugar batter to introduce moisture and acidity which react with the baking soda.
- Incorporate Dry and Liquid Ingredients Alternately: With the mixer running, alternate adding portions of the dry flour and cocoa mixture with the milk. This helps maintain an airy batter and fully combines all elements smoothly.
- Transfer Batter to Dish: Pour the well-blended batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading gently to an even layer for uniform baking.
- Cover and Bake: Spray one side of a piece of foil with baking spray, cover the pudding loosely but securely, and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. The pudding is done when it has risen, springs back lightly when pressed, and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- Prepare Chocolate Sauce: While the pudding bakes, place the cream, Lurpak salted butter, sugar, and dark chocolate into a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Stir continuously until the sugar is dissolved and the chocolate is fully melted into a smooth, warm sauce.
- Glaze the Pudding: Once the pudding is baked and removed from the oven, pour approximately three-quarters of the warm chocolate sauce over the top, allowing it to soak in and permeate the flavors. Reserve the remainder of the sauce to serve alongside.
- Serve: Serve the Chocolate Malva Pudding warm with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream to balance the rich chocolate and create a decadent dessert experience.
Notes
- Use good quality dark chocolate for the sauce to enhance the richness of the pudding.
- Covering the pudding with foil while baking helps retain moisture and ensures the pudding remains soft and springy.
- For best results, use free-range eggs and high-quality butter like Lurpak to deepen flavor and texture.
- The vinegar reacts with baking soda to give the pudding its characteristic light and fluffy texture.
- Serve immediately after glazing for the best taste and texture, or reheat gently and pour extra warm sauce before serving.
