This Gooey 1-2-3 Pudding is comforting and the perfect dessert on a cold night – spicy with a thick, sweet self-forming sauce

If you crave a warm, comforting dessert with a hint of spice and a naturally forming sweet sauce, this Gooey 1-2-3 Pudding is ideal. It’s simple to prepare, perfect for cold evenings, and pairs beautifully with custard, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

I first discovered this recipe years ago when time was tight. Busy weekends with kids’ sport left little time for elaborate baking, so quick, reliable recipes became staples. This pudding became a go-to on chilly Sundays and remains one of my family’s favorite after-dinner treats.

The flavor is reminiscent of a traditional fruitcake—warm and spiced—but much lighter, containing only raisins rather than an abundance of fruit and nuts. Its unassuming ingredients combine to produce a rich, gooey texture with a thick, sweet sauce that forms while baking.

This recipe is especially popular during the colder months and is quick to assemble. Serve warm with a thin custard, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream for a comforting finish to any meal.

Gooey 1-2-3 Pudding

Linda Nortje

A comforting pudding with a spicy note and a thick, sweet sauce that forms as it bakes.

Course Dessert

Cuisine South-African

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Servings 10 servings

Calories 183.2 kcal

Ingredients

3 TB Smooth Apricot Jam (jelly)
3 TB Unsalted Butter softened
2 t Baking Soda
⅛ t Salt
½ cup Milk
2 cups Flour
½ cup Seedless Raisins
½ cup Brown Sugar
2 cups Boiling Water
½ t Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Spray a large, deep ovenproof dish with cooking oil.
Combine the apricot jam and softened butter until smooth.
Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the milk, then stir this into the jam and butter mixture.
Add the flour and raisins to the mixture and stir until just combined. Spoon the batter into the prepared dish.
Dissolve the brown sugar in the boiling water, stir in the ground cinnamon, and pour this hot syrup evenly over the pudding batter.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and the pudding is cooked through. Serve warm.

Notes

Source: adapted from “Spyskaarte vir Elke Seisoen” recipe book.

Nutrition Facts

Gooey 1-2-3 Pudding

Amount per Serving

Calories

183.2

% Daily Value*

Fat

3.9

Saturated Fat

2.5

Polyunsaturated Fat

1.1

Carbohydrates

37.6

Fiber

1.2

Sugar

15.5

Protein

3.1

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values, where given, may vary. Please check your ingredient labels for accuracy.

Serve warm with thin custard, ice-cream or whipped cream.

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Gooey 1-2-3 Pudding