The Cozy South African Dessert That Cooks Itself in Syrup
There’s something deeply comforting about a pudding that makes its own sauce as it cooks. Ginger Pot Pudding is exactly that kind of dessert — soft, spiced dumplings of dough simmered gently in a fragrant cinnamon-ginger syrup until they puff up and soak in all that sweetness. It’s the kind of recipe that’s been passed down through generations, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why.
This isn’t a bake-and-wait dessert — it’s a stovetop pudding, which means no oven, minimal fuss, and a payoff that feels far more impressive than the effort involved. Apricot jam adds a subtle fruitiness to the dough, while warming ground ginger and cinnamon run through both the dumplings and the syrup, creating layers of cozy spice in every spoonful.
Ready in under an hour and made with pantry staples you likely already have on hand, Ginger Pot Pudding is proof that the best desserts don’t need to be complicated. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous pour of custard, and watch it disappear fast — this one’s a family favorite for good reason.
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Ingredients
For the Dough
- ½ cup apricot jam
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
For the Syrup
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
Method
- Boil the jam and butter, mix in the milk and baking soda.
- Stir in the flour, cinnamon, ginger and salt to form a soft dough.
- Boil the syrup, then drop in spoonful’s of dough.
- Cover and simmer on low until cooked and syrupy. Serve warm.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Serves
- 6 servings
Ingredients
For the Dough
For the syrup
Method
Make the Dough
Boil the apricot jam and butter together in a saucepan until melted and combined.
Dissolve the baking soda in the milk, then stir it into the jam and butter mixture. Remove from the heat.
Gradually stir in the flour, cinnamon, ginger and salt until a soft dough forms.
Make the Syrup & Cook
In a separate saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Heat until it starts to boil.
Drop spoonful's of the dough into the boiling syrup. Cover with a lid and let it cook slowly over low heat until the dough is cooked through and the syrup has thickened.
Serve warm, generously spooned with syrup, alongside a scoop of ice cream or a pour of custard.
