2 Minute Bread Pudding in a Mug
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Bread pudding in a mug. If you have 2 minutes, leftover bread, a microwave, and love bread pudding, this simple recipe will be a new favorite!
My father absolutely loves bread pudding, of any flavor or variety, along with blueberries and apple pie.
While I also dearly love bread pudding, sometimes I want a treat that doesn't take a lot of time. A quick and easy treat that's warm and gooey... and oh-so-delicious!
If you're in the mood for a traditional take on this classic dessert, try my Brioche Bread Pudding recipe, or this British classic, bread and butter pudding, a softly set custard classic.
During a recent visit to my parents' house, I treated my dad to this warm bread pudding-in under two minutes. And he approves.
A quick and easy comfort food treat that doesn't sacrifice deliciousness but saves precious minutes and will have you curling up on the sofa with family, lighting a fire, and watching a good movie in minutes.
This Two-Minute Bread Pudding in a Mug is exactly that treat.
This does not, however, replace my all-time favorite bread pudding, Cinnamon Brioche Bread Pudding.
If you like bananas, you might also want to try Banana Bread Pudding.
Even so, this mug cake is super tasty and warm, with all the flavors we crave. And... it's microwavable... and ready in under 2 minutes!
Ingredients for Bread Pudding in a Mug
Specific measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post -- but here is what you'll need to make the mug cake:
- Butter
- French bread (or any bread you have on hand)
- Egg
- Milk
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
I like to pour a Brown Butter Vanilla sauce over the top of the bread pudding. It's not necessary -- but oh my, I hope you do make it! Here's what you need for the sauce:
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Brown sugar
- Milk
How to Make Bread Pudding in a Mug
Make the sauce first and set it aside. Then begin by chopping the bread.
Step 1: Butter the Mug
Butter your mug of choice. I usually put a pat of butter in the bottom of the mug and microwave for 15 seconds until soft and then coat the butter with a knife around the bottom and edges of the mug.
Put the cubed bread in the mug. You will want it overflowing.
Step 2: Pour the Custard over the Bread
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour slowly over the cubed bread in the mug, pushing the bread down slightly with a fork into the egg mixture to coat. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg.
Step 3: Microwave!
Microwave on high for 1 minute and check. You will want a toothpick to come out clean. This will take anywhere from 1 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave.
Mine is perfect at 1 minute, 30 seconds.
What kind of Mug Should I Use?
You can use any size microwave safe mug you have on hand. I find that a 12-ounce mug that is short and broad is perfect (but I improvise, as I've done today).
Tip 1: Here's how to improvise, adjust the bread cubes until they fill the mug all the way to the top. I've had several college students write me saying they used torn hot dog buns in their dorm room and loved it!
Tip 2: Watch cooking times as all microwaves are different. Begin at 1 minute and increase in 10-15 second intervals as needed.
More Mug Cake Recipes You May Enjoy
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Bread Pudding Mug Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1-2 slices French bread cubed or enough to fill the mug
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
Browned Butter Vanilla Sauce (Enough for 2 to 4 Mugs)
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
Browned Butter Vanilla Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter until it turns into a toasty brown color. Then add brown sugar and milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5-8 minutes or until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil. Stir in vanilla carefully.
Bread Pudding
- Butter a microwave-safe mug. I usually put a pat of butter in the bottom of the mug, microwave for 15 seconds until soft, and then coat the butter with a knife around the bottom and edges.
- Cube the bread and place it in the mug. You will want it overflowing.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour slowly over the cubed bread in the mug, pushing the bread down slightly with a fork into the egg mixture to coat. Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute and check. You will want a toothpick to come out clean. This will take anywhere from 1 to 2 minutes, depending on your microwave. Mine is perfect at 1 minute, 30 seconds. My mom's microwave is perfect at about 1 minute, 20 seconds.
- If using the sauce, pour over the top and enjoy!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Oh my! I adore bread and butter pudding, and this recipe is sublime and just the quick fix I needed on a cool spring evening here in Australia. Thanks for sharing, Stephanie! Definitely a keeper 🤩
Hi Deb! Thank you so much for trying the bread pudding recipe. I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
I have been craving bread pudding for months, but since it's just me, all the recipes I found were for big pans. Found yours and it's perfect! And it's beyond delicious! The sauce is absolutely fantastic. I could see using that on all kinds of other things, like pancakes! Now I want to figure out how to make an 8x8 pan (I think it would freeze great)
Hi Chris! We made mug cakes last night for the same reason! Simple -- and perfect proportioned. And I LOVE your idea of using the sauce for pancakes. It's on my list for next weekend! Thank you so much for trying and rating the recipe.
I made this recipe tonight and I was very impressed. It came together quickly and the sauce elevates it. 10/10 would make it again.
Hi Kelly! I'm doing a happy dance. Thanks so much for trying the mug "cake"!
Whenever I want something sweet, I just want a small dessert, and when I came across this recipe, I wanted to give it a try and oh my goodness....this dessert is decadent, with such a wonderful brown butter sauce. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. Absolutely Amazing!!!💞
Hi Nancy! You've made my weekend! Thank you so much for your kind words-- and for trying the recipe. So glad you enjoyed it. I love mug cakes (and bread puddings in a mug) for the exact same reasons!
We made with leftover costco croissants and it was unbelievably moist and flavorful! Thank you!
Hi Allie— that’s a great idea! I think that will be on our weekend plans too. So glad you enjoyed it ❤️
Walnuts and honey with a little molasses took this over the top
Oh my word-- it's morning and I'm already sort of craving this mug cake. I love the idea of honey and molasses. So glad you shared!!
Delicious ❤️❤️❤️
Si glad you enjoyed it!