If you are on the lookout for a comforting, moist, and satisfyingly sweet dessert, this Delicious Banana Malva Pudding Recipe is your new best friend. With each bite, you’ll find a wonderful harmony between the fluffy, caramelized pudding and the rich, creamy sauce infused with vanilla. The addition of ripe bananas brings a subtle fruity sweetness and beautiful texture that takes this traditional malva pudding to a delightful new level. This is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug after a long day and is perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture for your pudding. They are all pantry-friendly staples that combine simplicity with delicious results.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides the tender structure that holds the pudding together perfectly.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds essential sweetness and helps the top develop a gorgeous caramelized crust.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, ensuring your pudding is light and fluffy.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas: Gives natural moisture, sweetness, and a subtle fruity flavor twist.
- 1/2 cup milk: Adds richness and helps create a smooth batter.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the fluffy texture.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted: Infuses the pudding with a creamy, buttery note.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with its warm, aromatic essence.
- 1 tbsp vinegar: Reacts with baking soda to lighten the texture, creating a tender crumb.
- 1 cup sugar (for sauce): Used in the sauce for that luscious, glossy finish.
- 1/2 cup water: Balances the sauce and helps dissolve the sugar.
- 1 cup cream: Creates a rich and silky sauce that seeps into the pudding.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for sauce): Gives the sauce a beautiful fragrant note that complements the pudding.
How to Make Delicious Banana Malva Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a suitable baking dish well to prevent sticking and to help the edges brown evenly. This small preparation step makes all the difference in an effortless clean-up and beautiful presentation.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt, which are essential to achieving the perfect rise and balance of flavors in your pudding.
Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients and Ripe Bananas
In another bowl, whisk the mashed ripe bananas with milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and vinegar. The bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, while the vinegar reacts with baking soda for a wonderfully airy crumb.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring just until smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep your pudding tender and soft. The batter is now ready to be poured into your prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pour the batter evenly into your greased dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is beautifully golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the pudding to rest briefly once out of the oven.
Step 6: Craft the Luxurious Sauce
While the pudding is baking, combine the sugar, water, and cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract for that irresistible aroma and flavor.
Step 7: Pour Sauce Over Warm Pudding
As soon as the pudding is out of the oven, pour the warm sauce over it slowly. The pudding will soak up all that creamy goodness, becoming incredibly moist and flavorful. Serve immediately for the best experience.
How to Serve Delicious Banana Malva Pudding Recipe

Garnishes
Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top to balance the pudding’s warm richness with cool creaminess. Sprinkle some toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch that contrasts the soft texture delightfully.
Side Dishes
This pudding pairs beautifully with fresh berries or citrus segments to introduce a fresh, tangy note that cuts through its sweet richness. A simple cup of strong coffee or black tea also complements the flavors, making it a perfect afternoon treat or after-dinner indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve individual portions in cute ramekins or vintage teacups. Layer slices of banana between pudding layers to highlight the banana flavor visually. Drizzle some caramel or chocolate sauce alongside for an added lavish touch your guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days. Because it’s so moist, reheating gently preserves its creaminess and the sauce stays luscious, making it just as delicious the next day.
Freezing
This pudding freezes beautifully. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the perfect texture.
Reheating
Reheat your pudding in the microwave or oven until warmed through. If microwaving, cover it loosely to prevent drying out. Adding a touch of extra cream or sauce before reheating helps to restore its original moistness and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are actually ideal since they’re sweeter and mash easily, enhancing the pudding’s flavor and texture.
Is this pudding gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends that measure like regular flour.
Can I make this pudding dairy-free?
Yes, simply substitute the milk and cream with your favorite plant-based milk and cream alternatives, such as almond or coconut milk, to enjoy a dairy-free version.
Does the vinegar taste noticeable in the pudding?
Not at all! The vinegar is there to react with the baking soda to provide lift and tenderness and is completely masked by the other rich and sweet flavors.
Can this pudding be made ahead of time for parties?
Definitely! You can prepare and bake the pudding a day ahead and warm it before serving, then add the sauce fresh to keep it moist and delicious.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Delicious Banana Malva Pudding Recipe enough for when you want a showcase dessert that feels like a warm, cozy treat straight from the heart. It’s easy to make, satisfying in every bite, and perfect for sharing with those you love. Give it a try—you might just find yourself reaching for it again and again!
Print
Delicious Banana Malva Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: South African
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Banana Malva Pudding is a warm, comforting South African dessert featuring a moist banana-flavored sponge cake soaked in a rich, creamy caramel sauce. This delightful twist on traditional malva pudding uses ripe bananas to add natural sweetness and a subtle fruity flavor, perfect for cozy gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1–2 medium bananas)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp vinegar
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are well combined and aerated.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the mashed bananas, milk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and vinegar until smoothly integrated.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Bake the Pudding: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pudding bakes, combine the sugar, water, and cream in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve: Once the pudding is out of the oven and still warm, pour the hot sauce evenly over it, allowing the pudding to soak up the sauce. Serve warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- You can substitute full cream milk for a lighter version, but it may affect the pudding’s richness.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce before adding vanilla.
- The vinegar helps to activate the baking soda for a lighter, fluffier pudding texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated before serving.

