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Craving that gooey, chocolatey goodness but don’t want to make a whole pan? Look no further! These Small Batch Brownies are perfect for satisfying your chocolate craving, with the added bonus of not tempting you with leftovers.
If you’re on the hunt for more single serve brownie recipes, check out our irresistible options. Savor the richness of our fudgy Deep Dish Brownie, indulge in the chocolatey Oreo Brownie, or enjoy the sweet, vanilla flavors of Blondies. And for those torn between a brownie and a cookie, our Brookie is the perfect solution!
Why You’ll Love This Brownie Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up these single serve brownies in no time.
- Perfectly Portioned: No more worrying about overindulging; this recipe is made for one or two!
- Better Than Boxed: Homemade brownies offer a taste that’s far superior to any store-bought mix, and making them from scratch is surprisingly simple.
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Ingredients
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is essential for giving the brownies their light and tender texture.
- Butter: Salted butter is my go-to for infusing the brownies with rich flavor.
- Vanilla: A dash of vanilla rounds out the flavors and adds a touch of aromatic sweetness.
- Egg: A single egg serves multiple purposes—it binds the ingredients, enriches the texture, and provides structural integrity to the brownies.
- All-Purpose Flour: You’ll only need 1/4 cup, as the cocoa powder essentially replaces some of the flour, ensuring a rich, chocolatey flavor.
- Cocoa powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder for an intense, pure chocolate taste that makes the brownies incredibly rich. Consider using leftover cocoa powder in Chocolate Banana Bread or in a mini Devil’s Food Cake.
- Baking powder: A smidgen of baking powder is all you need to help these brownies rise just enough to be fudgy yet light.
- Salt: Rather than making the brownies salty, a pinch of salt actually amplifies their sweetness.
- Nuts (optional): For added crunch and flavor, consider tossing in some chopped pecans or walnuts.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Ready to switch things up? These brownies are fantastic on their own, but there are plenty of ways to give them a unique twist. Your creative options are virtually endless!
- Mint Brownies: Give your brownies a refreshing twist by adding a few drops of mint extract to the batter. You could also add crushed peppermint candies on top just before baking.
- Caramel Brownies: Before putting your brownie batter in the oven, swirl in some caramel sauce. The caramel will bake into the brownies, creating pockets of gooey, salty-sweet deliciousness.
- S’mores Brownies: Drop a few mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs into the batter before baking. The marshmallows will melt into gooey pockets, and the graham cracker crumbs add a delightful crunch.
- Spiced Brownies: For a winter holiday twist, add a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter. You’ll be surprised how well these spices complement the rich chocolate flavor.
How To Make A Small Batch Of Brownies
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make brownies. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Lightly butter a small baking dish.
See the FAQ section below for the baking dishes we recommend using for this recipe.
- Stir together the melted butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Stir in the egg and vanilla.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- Fold in the nuts.
- Pour the brownie batter into the baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Optimal Baking Dish: To ensure the brownies cook evenly, use either a 4×6-inch or a 5×5-inch baking dish. For more details, check out the FAQ section.
- Cool Before Cutting: Patience is key; allow the brownies to fully cool in the pan before slicing into them. This ensures that they hold their shape.
- Non-Stick Knife Trick: Spritz your knife with non-stick cooking spray before cutting. This simple hack ensures that the brownies slide out effortlessly.
- Check Doneness Carefully: Underbaking is your friend when it comes to brownies. Around the 20-minute mark, test the center with a sharp knife or toothpick. If they’re not quite done, give them a few more minutes in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
Let’s talk about how to make these brownies even more irresistible! Whether you’re planning a cozy date night or you just want to treat yourself, these serving ideas can take your brownies from simple to simply amazing.
- Brownie Sandwich: For a twist on the classic ice cream sandwich, use your freshly-baked brownies as the outer layer. Soften a scoop of your go-to ice cream flavor and spread it on one brownie square. Place another brownie on top to create a sandwich. For an added touch of deliciousness, roll the edges in chopped nuts or colorful sprinkles.
- Brownie Sundae: Situate a brownie square at the bottom of a bowl, then crown it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Elevate the whole experience with a generous drizzle of hot fudge sauce, a sprinkle of peanuts, and a dash of colorful sprinkles.
- Brownie Trifle: For a layered dessert delight, alternate layers of brownie cubes, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, and assorted berries in a deep bowl or even in individual drinking glasses. Each spoonful offers a burst of flavors and textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this small batch brownie recipe, we use a 4×6-inch baking dish that has a base area of 24 square inches.
Other alternative baking dishes:
5×5-inch dish
6×6-inch dish (this size will yield a thinner crust and may bake faster).
6-inch round dish
These baking dishes can be viewed on our Store page.
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
In contrast to some brownie recipes that incorporate melted chocolate into the batter, this particular recipe relies on cocoa powder for its chocolatey kick. Cocoa powder contributes to a chewier texture because the only fat source here is butter, not additional chocolate.
Feel free to make this recipe your own! If you’re craving extra chocolate goodness, we suggest mixing 2 to 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips into the batter before baking, or simply sprinkling them on top.
Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
While I’ve consistently baked these brownies in around 20 minutes, oven performance can differ, so it’s good to have multiple ways to check for doneness.
Use a Timer: Typically, these brownies take between 20-25 minutes to bake. Start by setting a timer for 20 minutes so you can monitor them closely as they near completion.
Toothpick or Knife Test: To see if the brownies are done, insert a toothpick or the tip of a sharp knife into the center. If it comes out with wet batter, they need more time. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.
Visual Cues: Ideal brownies will appear slightly underbaked in the center, as they continue to cook while cooling. If the edges are dry and the middle looks a bit underdone, it’s time to take them out of the oven.
Yes. You can double this recipe and bake it in a 6.5×6.5 inch baking dish or a 6×8 inch baking dish.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried these brownies or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Small Batch Brownies Recipe
Equipment
- 5-inch baking dish or a 4×6-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter , melted
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
- Lightly butter a 4×6 or a 5×5-inch baking dish.
- Stir together the melted butter and sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Stir in the egg and vanilla.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir to combine.
- Fold in the nuts.
- Pour the brownie batter into the baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice and enjoy.
Notes
- Optimal Baking Dish: To ensure the brownies cook evenly, use either a 4×6-inch or a 5×5-inch baking dish. For more details, check out the FAQ section.
- Cool Before Cutting: Patience is key; allow the brownies to fully cool in the pan before slicing into them. This ensures that they hold their shape.
- Non-Stick Knife Trick: Spritz your knife with non-stick cooking spray before cutting. This simple hack ensures that the brownies slide out effortlessly.
- Check Doneness Carefully: Underbaking is your friend when it comes to brownies. Around the 20-minute mark, test the center with a sharp knife or toothpick. If they’re not quite done, give them a few more minutes in the oven.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These are absolutely perfect – crispy on the top and moist on the inside. Probably the best brownies I’ve ever had! Thanks Joanie for giving us this wonderful recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the brownies, Debbie.
These are OUTSTANDING! And so easy. Great recipe!
Thank you for your feedback. I’m so happy you enjoyed the brownies.
These brownies were delicious….really moist. I feel like making another batch, but I’m just going to try another of your amazing recipes.
The best, Easier than using a mix, and my brownies come out moist and fudge every time. I love that it makes a small batch. Whipped some up this morning for my lady friends lunch today.
I was dubious but I made these in my toaster oven, and they came out perfect. I only had small eggs, so I did add a little bit of olive oil, but they were perfectly moist and almost fudgy. Overall, loved this recipe and will make again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the brownies, Brianna. Thank you for your feedback.
Wouldn’t an 8×4 loaf pan be the same dimensions?
It should work fine.
Elyse, the recipe works as written and has been made hundreds of times with success. As noted in the recipe, the size of the dish you use will affect the results. It sounds like the dish you used was too large. We recommend using the dish suggested for best results. Also, did you use melted butter or softened butter? Softened butter will lead to a cakier brownie.
The Pyrex 3 cup rectangle food storage containers are the right size and about $5 at Walmart. They’re also a great size for single serve leftovers 😉
Where do you buy the 5×7 pan? Your link to bakeware states they are unavailable and no idea when they will back. Or another size pan? Would really like to make these brownies.
Laurie, Although the 5×7 pan that we link to on our bakeware page is currently not available from Amazon, I have seen them at home stores such as Target and WalMart in the US. Another option would be to use a standard loaf pan.
Finally! I can’t tell you how great these are! I have tried so many recipes for scratch brownies, full and small, but this one beats them all! I’m so grateful for your small serve recipes?
I’m so glad you enjoyed the brownies. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
I agree. I’m from VA. And there are so many recipes out there. I’ve tried so many small batch brownie recipes and this is the only one I actually liked(loved)… will never go to another recipe after this.