Warm sticky toffee pudding is great comfort food! Here’s how to make a single serving or two quickly and easily in the microwave!
If you’ve ever had a craving for sticky toffee pudding that just couldn’t wait, you’ll be glad to know that satisfying that craving is as close as your microwave! This microwave sticky toffee pudding recipe is quick, easy and delicious.
Ingredients and substitutions
Dates – regular baking dates are all you need for this sticky toffee pudding. They are usually sold in blocks in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
Light and Dark Brown Sugar – using a combination of light and dark brown sugar makes a more complex toffee sauce, but if you only have one type of brown sugar, just use what you have.
Heavy Cream – this is the 35% b.f. whipping cream.
Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter.
You’ll also need – Baking powder, baking soda, salt and 1 egg (optional)
How to make sticky toffee pudding in the microwave
- Use the microwave to heat the water, then add the chopped dates and baking soda. Allow to stand to soften the dates, then add the butter to the dates.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce in the microwave by combining the brown sugar, butter and cream in a measuring cup and heating until thickened. Set aside.
- Once the butter has melted into the date mixture, add the brown sugar to the bowl.
- Add the egg (if using), the flour, baking powder and salt and stir to combine.
- Divide the batter between a couple of microwave-safe cups or dishes. Don’t fill them more than 50% as they will rise quite a bit as they cook.
- When the cakes are cooked, pour the warm toffee sauce overtop and enjoy!
Recipe video
Recipe tips
Microwaves vary, so timing may be a bit different in your microwave. Use your best judgment to adjust time by looking at it and testing for doneness.
Storing and freezing
Store extras covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Rewarm in the microwave.
These puddings can be frozen. Wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and warm in the microwave.
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Get the Recipe: Microwave Sticky Toffee Pudding
Ingredients
For the Sticky Toffee Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed (or use additional light brown sugar)
- 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream, 35% b.f.
For the Sticky Toffee Cake:
- 1/4 cup dates, (about 7-8 dates)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon butter, at room temperature
- 4 teaspoons light brown sugar, packed
- 4 teaspoons dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 large egg, optional *see Note 1 below
- 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Coarsely chop the dates, then measure. Set aside. Add 1/4 of water into a medium microwaveable bowl and microwave on high for 50 seconds. Stir in the chopped dates and baking soda. Stir to combine, then let stand for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, add the butter to the bowl with the dates and let it stand for another 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by combining the butter, brown sugars and cream in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds. Remove and stir for 15-20 seconds or until butter is melted. Return to the microwave and microwave a further 30-45 seconds or until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Set aside for now.
- After the dates have stood for 5 minutes, stir to combine (butter should be all melted). Add the brown sugars and egg, if using and stir in to combine. Add the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Stir until the flour is all mixed in.
- Tip! Don't fill the cups any more than halfway full, as the puddings will rise quite a bit as they cook!
- Divide the batter between two microwave-safe mugs or small bowls. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes uncovered. Test with a skewer to make sure the cake is set. (If not, microwave more in 15-second increments until set). Use a skewer to poke some holes in the cakes and run it around the outside as well, to make some space for the sauce to fill down the sides. Pour toffee sauce over top. ALLOW TO STAND A FEW MINUTES before eating, to allow the sauce to cool a bit, for the cake to set up and the sauce to soak in.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. These puddings can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
- To get 1/2 an egg, break the egg into a small cup and stir together with a fork. Use 1/2 of the mixture.
More pudding recipes to love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
I tried this recipe and it was delicious! I divided the batter between two large mugs and it was a perfect amount:) The caramel sauce was so good (I suggest a pinch of salt in the caramel)! Thanks for a wonderful recipe – excellent dessert!
So glad you enjoyed it, Kristi! Thanks so much :)
Can these be made ahead to some stage then finished off?
Hi Lindy, I’m not exactly sure, as I haven’t tried it. I suspect so, as the main leavener is baking powder, which is heat activated, so it won’t do anything until it gets in the oven. Should hold well when made ahead and refrigerated.
I’m about to make the baked version of these & noticed that your recipes says ‘serves 8’ yet the instructions tell me to divide the mixture into 4 mugs. Could you please let me know if this serves 4 or 8?
Thanks so much
Hi Louise, it totally depends on the size of your mug. The large corningware mugs I used here only make 4. But they are big! Smaller mugs will go much further or ramekins will make 8.
These look so cozy and comforting, the perfect winter dessert!
Thanks so much, Laura :)
Oh my goodness, these look amazing, Jennifer!! My husband has a strange addiction to mug cakes… like, he is always begging me to make them. Lol. I never complain because they are so dang easy! Can’t wait to surprise him with this one, and I will take your advice and bake it!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! Cheers!
Thanks Cheyanne and I get your husband’s addiction. There’s just something about wrapping your hands around your own personal warm mug of cake ;) He will love this and yes, the baked version is so perfect. Worth the bit of extra time to make.
It’s just the Mr and I living in our little house so I’m loving the idea of making teeny tiny cakes for two. Of course you didn’t bring us just any old cake but rather this ooey, gooey super tantalizing sticky toffee pudding cake. How could I possibly resist?
Hi Lynn and you must not even try to resist :) These are yummy little cakes and do enjoy!
What a fun idea to make these cakes in mugs, I totally need to pick up a set and give this amazing looking treat a try!
Thanks Sara. I think you would love these!
Oh my goodness. I will want one of these when we come home from skiing and sledding over the holidays. You make the most delicious treats, Jennifer!
I just love the cozy feel of this yummy pudding and want to be curled up under a blanket with a spoon. It sure is hibernating weather!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Jennifer!
Thanks Robyn and yes, the perfect thing to warm up with :) Sounds like the weather will be giving us a break for the next while, so that’s a nice change! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
Ok Jennifer..you’re killing me this week! I had sticky toffee pudding only once in my life at a restaurant in Toronto years ago and it was so good! I am going to be making this for Christmas! Thanks so much for posting this!
Enjoy this Colleen! It is a great choice and I think you will love it :) Merry Christmas to you and your family :)
I have several of these mugs and we love them – but I would love them even more if they had this pudding inside! Wow – just wow – this is a dreamy dessert for sure. I’ve always wanted to make mug cakes but never have – guess I need to try this one! Perfect holiday dessert. Merry Christmas Jennifer!
Thanks so much, Tricia and Merry Christmas to you, as well!!
Another delicious mug cake Jennifer! I have actually never tried sticky toffee pudding, but holy moly it looks good!
Thanks so much, Mary Ann and you really must strike that one off your list of things to try soon. You won’t regret it :)
Oh my goodness!! These have my name written all over them. Sticky Toffee Pudding is one of my all-time favorite desserts. I love this mug version, I will be trying it, for sure!
Thanks Chris :) These were so good. I hadn’t had a sticky toffee pudding in ages and it really hit the spot!!