Looking for an easy cake recipe to impress your friends at a potluck? Or maybe you just need a simple, satisfying treat after a long day? If so, this recipe is for you.

If you’re a college student, you’re likely busy, on a budget, and might feel that cooking is too complicated or expensive. It’s easy to rely on cup noodles and convenience foods, but what if cooking doesn’t have to be difficult—and it’s almost always healthier?

Centennial College, a top school in Canada, highlights several key benefits of cooking for yourself: it’s an excellent way to decompress, more affordable than you might think, and almost always healthier.

After a stressful day, putting on some music or a show while you prepare a meal can be a genuine form of therapy. “Easy” recipes can range from two ingredients to ten, so if you have the basics on hand, why not give it a try?

When you cook, you control what goes into your food. You can adjust the sugar to your taste and avoid unnecessary preservatives. Plus, raw ingredients are often surprisingly cheap. If you love hunting for daily coupons and shopping for the best deals, you’ll find that the most budget-friendly meals often start in your own kitchen.

The recipe below hails from South Africa, a country renowned for its vibrant culture and diverse cuisine. I first discovered this dessert at a potluck and was completely captivated by its incredible texture and flavor. I immediately asked the person who made it for the recipe, and she directed me to the websitewhere she found it. I practiced baking this pudding about four times before I finally perfected it to match her delicious results.

MALVA PUDDING

🍽️ Makes: 2-15 servings
⏱️ Prep time: 10 – 15 minutes
🍳 Cook time: 30 – 45 minutes (depends on your oven)
💡 Why you’ll love it: Traditional, Quick, Simple and Easy.

What You Need (Kitchen Gear):

• The Bare Minimum: A large mixing bowl, a whisk or fork, a baking dish (glass, steel, aluminum…), and measuring cups/spoons.
• Nice to Have: Optional, an electric hand mixer, paper towels for easy cleanup.

The ingredients:

Pudding:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar(any)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp apricot jam
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vinegar
• ⅓ cup milk

Sauce:

• ¾ cup fresh cream (or half-and-half)
• 6 tbsp butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup hot water
• 2 tsp vanilla essence

📝 Substitution Tips:

• No apricot jam? Use orange marmalade or honey.
• No fresh cream? Evaporated milk works great!
• If you want more sweetness, add an extra ¼ cup sugar( I prefer using brown sugar just because it gives it a richer flavor, but you can use white sugar if that’s what you have).
• Don’t try to substitute baking soda for baking powder. I learnt from experience that this would not give the original taste. The vinegar + baking sodais what makes it fluffy. Don’t skip it!

Steps to making this dessert:

1. Prep & preheat.Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease your baking dish with a little butter (can be substituted for cooking oil or baking spray).
2. Start by. Cracking in eggs and sugar, in a large bowl, then mixing till well combined.
3. Mix the Wet Stuff.add the jam, melted butter, vinegar, and milk. Mix until just combined—a few lumps are okay!
4. Mix the Dry Stuff.In your large bowl, mix together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking soda, and salt.
5. Bake!Pour the batter into your dish and bake for 30-45 minutes, until dark brown (NOT BURNT!).
6. Make the Magic Sauce.While it bakes, combine the cream, butter, sugar, hot water, and vanilla in a small pot over low heat. Stir until the butter melts and it’s smooth.
7. Finally!As soon as the pudding is out of the oven, poke holes all over it with a fork. Slowly pour the warm sauce over the top. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soak.
8. Serve. Enjoy it warm. It’s amazing with vanilla ice cream!