Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour and baking soda. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Add the egg and apricot jam to the sugar-butter mixture. Mix well.

In a small bowl, combine the milk and vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes until it curdles slightly.

Gradually add the flour mixture and milk-vinegar mixture to the sugar-butter mixture, alternating between the two. Mix until well combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the pudding is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

While the pudding is baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, butter, hot water, and vanilla extract. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is smooth.

Once the pudding is out of the oven, poke holes all over the surface using a skewer or fork.

Pour the warm sauce over the pudding, allowing it to soak in. Let it rest for a few minutes to absorb the sauce.

Serve the Malva pudding warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!