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These are the best small batch brownies ever! They’re gooey, fudgy, and have a gorgeous crinkle top. They’re made in one bowl, with no mixer, using just 8 ingredients and no melted chocolate. This recipe makes 8 perfect brownies!
Small batch recipes are so great, whether you’re running low on ingredients or just don’t want to have a ton of leftovers, this recipe makes just the right amount of brownies.
Got a sudden craving for brownies? All you need to make these is a bowl, a whisk, and a few simple ingredients.
Usually when I’m craving sweets but don’t feel like making a full batch of something, I love to whip up these small batch chocolate chip cookies.
But if I’m in the mood for something super chocolatey, my go-to recipes are edible brownie batter or these small batch brownies!
Why You'll Love These Small Batch Brownies
- Short on ingredients? Or maybe you only have one egg left? Then these small batch brownies are the perfect recipe for you! Just a few pantry staples and no melted chocolate - just cocoa powder!
- This recipe has been tested using regular butter and dairy free butter and is delicious both ways.
- These brownies are freezer friendly, so if you are looking for an even smaller portion, you can easily freeze any leftovers.
- No mixer or fancy equipment required for these small batch brownies!
Ingredients Needed
- Cocoa Powder: for best results, use unsweetened dutch process cocoa powder. If you only have natural cocoa powder, that will work fine.
- Flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour. I haven’t tested the recipe gluten free so I can’t say for sure how it will turn out. Readers have reported great results when using gluten free 1-1 baking flour in my classic fudgy brownie recipe, so that's what I would recommend trying if you'd like to make these gluten free.
- Butter: regular butter or dairy free/vegan butter will work in this recipe. It has been tested both ways!
- Chocolate Chips: chocolate chips are optional. I like to use semisweet (regular or vegan), but you can also use milk or dark chocolate chips. You can also chop up a chocolate bar and use chocolate chunks instead.
Step By Step Instructions
Note: Full ingredient measurements and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Step One: Prepare an 8x4 loaf pan or 9x5 loaf baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some over the sides to make it easy to remove the brownies from the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step Two: In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Add in both sugars and whisk until the mixture pulls away easily from the sides of the bowl as you mix, with a paste-like consistency.
Step Three: Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
Step Four: Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then whisk until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step Five: Pour the batter into the parchment-lined pan, spreading it around in an even layer and bake for 20-36 minutes.
Let the small batch brownies cool completely before slicing!
FAQs and Expert Tips
For a full batch of brownies, use this fudgy brownie recipe.
If you use a glass pan instead of a metal pan to bake the brownies, the baking time will change. I recommend metal baking pans for brownies.
The inside of the brownies should be fudgy-looking, not dry! The brownies are ready when the top is crinkled and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownies comes out with a few wet crumbs - it shouldn’t be completely clean or completely covered in batter either.
Small batch brownies can be made in an 8x4 inch loaf pan, or in a 9x5 inch loaf pan. They will be slightly thinner if made in a 9x5 because there is more surface area.
Expert Tips
- Properly measure your flour and cocoa powder - If you over-measure your flour or cocoa powder, the small batch brownies won't be as fudgy, and will be drier and more cakey. I recommend weighing both ingredients with a kitchen scale or using the scoop and level method.
- Don’t over-mix the batter: over-mixing can change the texture of your brownies and even cause them to sink. You should whisk in the dry ingredients only until the last specks of dry ingredients have disappeared.
- Don’t over-bake the brownies! It can be tricky to know when to take brownies out of the oven. The first thing to look for is whether the brownie batter jiggles if you shake the pan. If it does, they need more time, and if it doesn’t, you can do the toothpick test. If a toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownies comes out covered in batter, they need more time. The toothpick should not be completely clean but should have just a few wet crumbs on it.
- Let the brownies cool completely before slicing: The brownies will continue to set as they cool, so resist the urge to cut into them right away to avoid a gooey mess. They will be much easier to slice once they’ve cooled as well.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
These small batch brownies can be stored at room temperature covered and un-sliced in the pan or sliced in an airtight container for up to 4 days. After that they can start to dry out.
To freeze, slice the brownies and place them in a ziplock freezer bag. Let them thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
More Brownie Recipes You'll Love
If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!
Small Batch Brownies
Equipment
- 1 8x4 loaf pan (or a 8x5 loaf pan)
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted (regular or dairy free)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 6 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 5 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips (regular or dairy free)
Instructions
- Prepare an 8x4 or 9x5 loaf baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some over the sides to make it easy to remove the brownies from the pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until melted (or melt butter over the stove). Add in both sugars and whisk until the mixture pulls away easily from the sides of the bowl as you mix, with a paste-like consistency.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt, then whisk until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the parchment-lined pan, spreading it around in an even layer and bake for 26-36 minutes. The top should be crackly and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with just a few wet crumbs on it, but not covered in batter or completely clean. The batter should also not be jiggly in the pan.Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.
Melanie Worix
Amazing recipe! Went to 8x8 recipe version of this and doubled it with no problem for bigger pan! Added chocolate chips. So good!
Gabby
Yay! So glad to hear that you loved them - thanks so much for the review!
LindaQ
The brownies turned out perfectly for me.
I actually added two tablespoons of hot water with my brown sugar because my brown sugar was rock hard.... So this changed the recipe ever so slightly.
I did not use chocolate chips either.
I cooked my brownies in a 6 inch by 4 in glass baking dish; and I didn't preheat the oven I just put it in directly at 350° for 36 minutes.
And then I decided to take it out and let it rest on my stove top until it was approaching cool before I cut it.
The effect was the result of the recipe was a lava cake effect.
I had also added walnuts into the recipe.
It turned out so so wonderfully delicious and perfect.
I'm so glad that I found this recipe site because I will be trying many more things.
Happy baking ?
Gabby
Hi Linda! I am so happy to hear this! Your review made my day, thank you so much for sharing! 😀
Ashleigh
The perfect brownie recipe! I love that these bake up so fast and with minimal ingredients I already have in my pantry. Thanks for sharing!
Gabby
I am so happy you loved the brownies Ashleigh! Thanks so much for the review! 😀
Nk
Can I do this with margarine?
Gabby
Yes!
Ella
These are so good and still amazing 2 days later. Tried 3 different recipes and this was the best, texture and taste. I do wish they were a bit less sweet, then they would absolutely perfect and would really allow the fudgy chocolate to shine. Wondering how much sugar can be reduced without affecting the recipe?
Gabby
Hi! I'm so happy you loved the brownies so much! You could try using salted butter to reduce the sweetness. Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder too. Reducing the sugar will affect the crackle top and texture - but you could try reducing brown sugar and white sugar but one tablespoon each. I really can't say how it will turn out though!
Janice
These are absolutely perfect and delicious! Love that it only makes 8, since it’s just my husband and me. Thanks so much! I tried a one-serving brownie once and it was disgusting, so I was a little skeptical. So happy I gave them a chance!
Gabby
Hi Janice! I am so happy to hear that you loved them! Yay!
Linda
I love dark chocolate fudgy
brownies and am looking forward to these! I don’t like chips in my brownies and was wondering what I could do INSTEAD of leaving them out?
Gabby
You could always try chopped walnuts if you'd like, but most of the time I do just leave them out!
Jill
These came out perfectly! Appreciate the small batch, they disappeared quickly but were the perfect amount.
Gabby
Hi Jill! I am so happy to hear that you loved the brownies! Thanks for the review 🙂
Rachel
Finally! It seems like every homemade batch of brownies I have made turns out dry and leaves me wishing I had just picked up a box mix. Not these! I didn’t even have the chocolate chips to add which I’m sure would have made them even more fudgey and delicious. Super easy to throw together and I love the small batch for just my husband and I. Thank you!!!
Gabby
Hi Rachel! Yay I am so happy to hear that you loved the brownies so much! Thanks so much for the review 🙂
Minakshi
What can I use instead of the egg?
Malia
Can I use 1:1 gluten free flour?
Gabby
Hi Malia! Other readers have reported success with making these with gluten free 1-1 all purpose baking flour!
Sarah
This is genuinely my go-to brownie recipe now (and I had been searching for one for years!). Whenever I want a full batch I just double it. Thank you for this amazing recipe!!
Gabby
Hi Sarah! I am so happy to hear that you love the brownies, yay!!
Linda
If you triple the recipe, do you have any idea what size pan should be used?
Gabby
I'd suggest either doubling or quadrupling the recipe - to double it you would use an 8x8 square pan and for quadrupling you would use a 9x13 pan!
Elona
These look amazing! Do you know if there’s a way to make these a “no sugar added” recipe? Can’t wait to try!
Gabby
Unfortunately not, sorry!
Kathy D
So yummy!
Gabby
Hi Kathy! I'm so happy to hear that you loved the brownies! Thanks so much for the review!
Minakshi
What can I use instead of the egg?
Gabby
I haven't tested these with any egg substitutes so I can't say for sure how they'd turn out, sorry!
Tomica
Perfect small batch recipe! Super quick to whip up and they turned out yummy. ?
Gabby
I'm so happy to hear that you loved them!!
Leslie
Wonderful recipe! Moist, rich and chocolaty. I added alot of pecans. Best brownies ever! ? ?thank you! ❤️
Gabby
Hi Leslie! I'm so happy you loved them! Pecans sound delicious in these. Thanks for the review 😀
Apoorva
Loved the small batch blondies i made for my husband. I made these for myself and i loved them !!!
They're super rich and decadent...I'm in love with your recipes. Thank you so much.
Gabby
Hi Apoorva! I am so happy that you loved the brownies! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review 🙂