KA’s caramel pudding brings everyone together this Ramadan

2026-03-05 - 23:43

Popular influencer Khairul Aming has brought many families together with his hit caramel pudding recipe featured in his ‘30 Days 30 Recipes’ series on Instagram. (Khairul Aming Instagram pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Sometimes, all it takes is a simple dessert to bring people together. In just 60 seconds, a video showing how to make caramel pudding – a treat that has long graced Malaysian dining tables – turned into an unexpected national phenomenon, uniting people across ages, religions and states. It began when popular influencer Khairul Aming shared the recipe at the start of Ramadan through his much-anticipated annual “30 Days 30 Recipes” series. The video quickly racked up more than 22 million views and sparked what many online dubbed a nationwide “caramel pudding fever”. Khairul’s caramel pudding video is so popular that it has racked up over 22 million views and counting. (Khairul Aming Instagram pic) Eager to try the easy recipe, thousands of social media users took to their kitchens and shared their attempts online. Many filmed the suspenseful moment of tapping the mould – sometimes dramatically, sometimes nervously – to reveal the pudding. Families gathered in the kitchen, friends tried it together, and loved ones laughed over the results. When the pudding turned out perfectly, it became a moment of celebration. When it didn’t, the mishaps were still shared online – often accompanied by laughter and playful teasing. For many, the fun was never really about the pudding itself, but the memories made along the way. Seeing these moments moved the Rembayung restaurant owner deeply. Khairul later shared a 10-second compilation video featuring followers attempting the recipe in their own creative ways. Appearing emotional at the start of the clip, he wrote that while he could no longer share such moments with his late father, seeing families bond over his recipes meant the world to him. “Nine years ago, I was alone in a rented house making cooking videos, not knowing if anyone was watching,” he wrote. “Year by year, we began to know each other. Some of you were students back then and are now working, some who were single are now married, some have become parents, and some have left us. “I can no longer create these moments with my late father, but seeing you happy cooking with your families is a truly meaningful gift,” Khairul said. Thousands of social media users have attempted Khairul’s caramel pudding recipe and posted their efforts – good or bad – online. (Instagram pics) The compilation video alone has clocked over seven million views on TikTok, with more than 16,000 comments and nearly a million likes. Many viewers thanked the influencer for creating something that brought people closer to their loved ones. One user, @lisaalee, wrote: “Thank you KA. I was deeply touched seeing my husband and child laughing together in the kitchen... especially because my husband is usually a strict father who finds it hard to show affection.” Another, @mai i 10A+, commented that Khairul had unintentionally created a sense of community. “Who would have thought that from just cooking videos, Khairul Aming could make us feel like one family. We laugh together when it fails and feel proud together when it succeeds.” For @ernitamuzahar, the 34-year-old influencer represents the kind of online personality people appreciate. “An influencer who truly brings benefit and knowledge to everyone. Bonds of love are formed without us even realising it.” The feel-good moment has even sparked calls for Khairul to be recognised as a national unity icon. Political activist and former senior federal counsel at the Attorney-General’s Chambers Liyana Marzuki wrote in a Facebook post: “No rage bait, no sentiment – just pure inspiration. A cooking video that unites Malaysians.” Social expert Prof Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran believes the phenomenon reflects Khairul’s positive and inclusive approach. “People follow him not only for the recipes but for his friendly personality and the positive values he promotes,” he said. “It shows influencers don’t need controversy to be popular. Content that celebrates togetherness can be just as powerful.” Follow Khairul Aming on Instagram.