Table of Contents
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Cape Malay Potato Pudding served with stewed dried fruit was one of my favorite childhood desserts and one of the best potato recipes you can make.
At family functions I always checked how many different potato pudding recipes were represented, and tried to taste them all. It was my mission to find who made the smoothest silkiest baked white potato pudding recipe.
The potato pudding recipe is one of those unique potato recipes that seems to have originated with the Cape Malay community in Cape Town. I have not seen any similar baked milky potato pudding recipes from anywhere else using white potatoes. We also do a mean sweet potato pudding called Gestoofde patat (Stewed Sweet Potato), that is egg and dairy free.
Like many other Cape Malay recipes this easy potato pudding recipe uses a simple everyday ingredient like potatoes, and transforms it into something delicious and decadent. There are a few other white potato recipes beloved by Cape Malays that are not roasted potato recipes or easy potato soup recipes. Some of the best potato recipes included Potato Koesisters (spiced yeasted potato doughnuts) and Potato fritters.
During my childhood the desserts served at family or social events in the community were often the traditional and old fashioned ones, like Cape Malay Potato Pudding or Sago pudding served with the most fragrant Stewed dried fruit. Very often there was also the traditional Bread pudding or baked Milk Tart.
When my cousin used my aunt’s recipe for potato pudding for an event at our home, she indicated that she had forgotten to add custard powder to it. She said that as a result the pudding may not have set as well as it usually did, and I confirmed it the following day when I noticed that the texture was still quite loose when completely chilled.
For my Cape Malay Potato Pudding incarnation, I also used the basis of my Aunt Gadija’s recipe but adjusted the flavorings and added fresh cream. I like the richness and smooth texture that the combination of fresh cream and condensed milk gives to baked desserts. I always remember the custard powder!
The stewed dried apricot and peach compote are an optional extra, but I had never imagined how much I would enjoy the way these peaches turned out. The lengthy soaking ensures that it is well rehydrated and I was astounded at how much they looked like fresh peaches, all lush and soft, but so much sweeter.
How to make Cape Malay Potato Pudding and stewed dried fruit
- Traditionally this pudding does not requirea bain-marie (water bath) when baked. However, I find that it gives a much better result and would recommend it if you have steady hands and patience. The baking time stays unchanged.
- Almond extract can be very overpowering so do not add more than 1/2 teaspoon in total to the pudding, as it will leave a weird, almost bitter aftertaste.
- If you do not have custard powder, you can substitute the same amount cornflour.
- In summer the pudding can be made a day ahead and served cold with the stewed fruit.
- Soak the peaches at least 24 hours before the stewed peaches and potato pudding must be served.
- If you don’t want to serve the pudding with stewed fruit, add another 60-125 ml sugar to the potato pudding mixture when you add the condensed milk.
- Do not cook the peaches in the syrup for too long as they will be very delicate and will break to mush.
- The peaches can be served warm, cold or reheated as needed.
- The peaches can also be served for breakfast with greek yoghurt.
Other recipes you may like
- Traditional South African Milk tart (Melktert)
- Deliciously decadent Espresso Cookies and Cream Mousse
- Sinfully Moist Lindt Brownies with Nutella sauce
- Ambrosial No bake Strawberry Jelly Cheesecake Slice
- Macerated Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream with Balsamic vinegar
Cape Malay Potato pudding recipe
Razena Schroeder
Potatoes get a new lease on life in this Cape Malay Potato Pudding recipe with hints of almond extract, cardamom and cinnamon and is delicious with stewed dried peaches or without.
4.62 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Cape Malay
Servings 24
Calories 256 kcal
Ingredients
Potato Pudding
- 1 kg potatoes cubed and boiled until soft
- ½ tsp salt
- 65 grams butter approximately 1/2 a stick
- 25 grams soft butter to grease the baking dish
- 1 litre milk divided
- 30 ml custard powder approximately 20 grams or 2 tablespoons mixed in 125ml of the milk
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder for dusting
- 8 extra large eggs
- 385 grams condensed milk approximately 1 can
- 250 ml fresh cream
Stewed fruit
- 500 grams dried peaches soft eating peaches preferred
- water to cover
- 400 g white granulated sugar 500ml or 2 cups
- 2 pieces stick cinnamon
Instructions
White Potato Pudding
Peel and cube the potatoes then cover with water, add the salt and boil until soft.
Drain the potatoes and return to pan and heat to remove any residual water then remove from the heat.
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius or 160 fan / 350 F / Gas mark 4.
Grease an ovenproof baking dish of 3 litre capacity with the25 grams soft butter. Use a square or rectangular dish to make it easier to cut into squares for serving.
Mash the potatoes while still warm, and ensure that it is completely smooth, then add the rest of the butter and mix through until the butter is completely melted.
Heat the milk and set aside 125 ml, then add the remainder to the mashed potato mixture.
Slake the custard powder with the 125 ml milk and add to the potato mixture.
Add the cardamom powder and almond extract and mix to combine.
Using a stand mixer or electric hand beater, whisk the eggs until light frothy and doubled in volume then add the condensed milk and whisk vigorously for approximately 3 minutes.
Add the fresh cream and whisk to combine.
Slowly add the potato mixture into the egg mixture and whisk to aerate, ensuring that the eggs and potato are thoroughly combined.
Beat for another minute until it is all incorporated then decant into the buttered oven proof dish.
Dust with fine cinnamon before baking. Alternately, dust with cinnamon before serving as the cinnamon may scorch in a hot oven.
Bake for 50 minutes or until set.
Stewed fruit
Cover the dried peaches with water and allow to soak for at least 24 hours.
The peaches will rehydrate beautifully and look like lush lobes, but have the sweetness of dried fruit.
Strain250 ml of the soakingliquid from the peaches into a pot, straining out any grit.
Add the two cups of sugar and stick cinnamon then boil for 8-10 minutes until thick and sticky.
Add the rehydrated peaches to the sugar syrup and boil together for two minutes before removing from the heat and allowing to cool.
When cooled, decant into a glass dish that has a sealing lid, refrigerate and use when required.
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 126mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 823IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional information for the recipe is an approximation and varies according to the ingredients and products used.
Keyword halaal recipes, make-ahead, winter recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know or tag @TantaliseMyTasteBuds on Instagram if you loved our recipes and remember to subscribe to our mailing list.
This was first published on 31 July 2015 and was updated with new photos to celebrate it being the top post of 2017.
If you liked the recipe above please consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment below. Also keep in touch onFacebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more updates.
Don’t forget to share the recipe with your family and friends and #tantalisemytastebuds if you shareone ofmy recipes thatyou made on Instagram!
Want more? To get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox, join our club and subscribe to Tantalise My Taste Buds.
About Razena Schroeder
Always remember life is short, so live it well and be kind.
