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!
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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!
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
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
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
Browned Butter Vanilla Sauce (Enough for 2 to 4 Mugs)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
Equipment
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!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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 8×8 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!
I was craving bread pudding and this recipe was perfect! I used sweet Hawaiian bread and drizzled maple syrup on top instead of the sauce. It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe, it will be my new quick dessert for sure!
Hi Lauren! I love that you used sweet Hawaiian bread– that sounds so yummy. And the maple syrup was brilliant! I think that will be my treat tonight too.
I made this again, but this time I mixed all of the ingredients together first in a bowl and added in a big spoonful of margarine, more brown sugar Splenda and some raisins. I cooked it a little longer because I like mine mushier. It came out AWESOME!
Yay! I’m so happy you loved it!
Thanks, great recipe! I was yearning for some bread pudding. I have food allergies, so I made some adjustments. I used gluten free bread, Splenda brown sugar and almond milk. Also, instead of the sauce, I just used coconut whipped cream. It was very good! I think next time I will increase the amount of sugar and maybe add raisins.
Hi Suzanne! I love that you could adapt this recipe for food allergies, and make it gluten free! I’ve lately been adding a small handful of raisins and enjoying it immensely. Thank you so much for trying it and letting us know how you used the recipe!
I used left over cinnamon rolls (2) we make from a can. The first time I made it. It overflowed. 2nd time I used slightly larger cup. Loved the recipe and good use of left over cinnamon rolls. Thanks
Wow! That would be amazing with leftover cinnamon rolls. Great idea ❤️❤️
I’m looking forward to making this as have bread that needs using up & I add sultanas to mine 😋.
Usually bake in oven but it’s broken so very glad to find speedy microwave recipe thanks
It works SO well for quick treats!!
I had some leftover maple pecan bread and was searching for something quick to make with it. Wow, did it work great with this recipe!! Instead of the sauce, I just poured some maple syrup on it. And added a scoop of ice cream. Delicious!!
Thanks for this recipe! I enjoyed this a few nights ago for a…gasp…midnight snack. Lol. Made french toast for my family in the morning, and instead of syrup, topped it with the remaining sauce. They loved it! I don’t typically mess with recipes, but i will share that i was out of brown sugar when i made it, so i just used plain old white granulated sugar for the bread pudding, as well as the sauce, and it worked fine. I have brown sugar now though, so I’m about to go make it as God intended. Haha. I’m sure it will be even better.
Thanks for this recipe! I enjoyed this a few nights ago for a…gasp…midnight snack. Lol. Made french toast for my family in the morning, and instead of syrup, topped it with the remaining sauce. They loved it! I don’t typically mess with recipes, but i will share that i was out of brown sugar when i made it, so i just used plain old white granulated sugar for the bread pudding, as well as the sauce, and it worked fine. I have brown sugar now though, so I’m about to go make it as God intended. Haha. I’m sure it will be even better.
So glad you liked it!! I have to admit — I’ve had it for a midnight snack too! Truly, there’s nothing better. Great to know about granulated sugar as I haven’t tried it with that. Thanks so much for your comment!!
Just made this. I didn’t make the sauce. I just drizzled a little caramel sause over the top when it was done. Tasted great, but I’m not crazy about cinnamon, so next time I’ll use a tad less. It hit the spot, and was yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Melissa!! Love those easy treats ??!
Thanks so much for making the bread pudding in a mug, Melissa! I’m so glad you liked it — and adjusted the cinnamon to taste!!
Just made this. I didn’t make the sauce. I just drizzled a little caramel sause over the top when it was done. Tasted great, but I’m not crazy about cinnamon, so next time I’ll use a tad less. It hit the spot, and was yummy!
The sauce sounds like it’s too much for just one serving. I can’t imagine eating half a cube of butter.
it says that the sauce is for 4 servings!
Some people are never Happy! There is always one in every group!??
It’s not really 2 minutes if it requires making a 5-8 minute sauce, which it needs.
D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.!!!
I had leftover Dave’s Killer Bread with tons of seeds and such. It was good!
Definitely needed the sauce because the bread was so dense but I could see it being fine with or without the sauce if it were regular white bread.
Hi Jessica! You’ve made me hungry! That sounds amazingly delicious! Can’t wait to try it too. And I agree — the sauce is really important.
What temp for the microwave cooking portion…..high? Thanks
Yes, High and uncovered. Check after 1 minute. There shouldn’t be any liquid remaining. If there is, continue cooking in 15 second intervals. The center can be moist – but not liquidy. Enjoy!!
Not as good as what my mom made as a kid, but for 2 min total in the kitchen this sure took care of my craving. I didn’t make the sauce which could be some of the difference. This is definitely going in my regular recipes! Thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it! The sauce does makes a huge difference. We love it too as an alternative to our traditional bread pudding recipe!
I had some leftover maple pecan bread and was searching for something quick to make with it. Wow, did it work great with this recipe!! Instead of the sauce, I just poured some maple syrup on it. And added a scoop of ice cream. Delicious!!
Hi Randy! I want to have some leftover maple pecan bread too :)! That sounds absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for letting us know! I’m on the lookout for maple pecan bread :)!