Small Batch Brownies (Makes 3 Brownies)

Published April 20, 2020. Updated April 21, 2020

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Small Batch Brownies – the easiest recipe that makes just 3 perfect brownies in a bread pan. Check out the step-by-step guide to see just how simple they truly are!

Looking for more small batch desserts? Try my microwave Chocolate Mug Cake or my recipe for 1 Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Stack of 3 brownies with ice cream and hot fudge sauce on top.

One of My Favorite Recipes!

These simple brownies are amazingly chocolatey, deliciously rich, perfectly sweetened and they have the best fudgy texture.

I don’t really care to admit how much I make this recipe.

It truly is one of my favorite recipes on this blog and one of the those that I make most often! It’s a weekend go-to (or mid-week pick me up) around here.

It’s just pantry staples coming together to make one of the best desserts ever, and it only takes minutes to prepare!

It’s nice that it doesn’t make a big batch so we finish them off in what seems like the blink of an eye, so there aren’t any left to tempt me for breakfast the next day.

You just can’t go wrong with a brownie recipe as easy as this! And who can resist that explosion of chocolate flavor in every bite?

And if you are looking to make the most decadent brownies – add the optional chocolate chips!

Ingredients for small batch brownies displayed. Includes flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, egg, cocoa powder and optional chocolate chips.

Ingredients Needed

Only 6 Ingredients needed to make small batch brownies!

  • Salted butter: 1/4 cup.
  • Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup.
  • Egg: Just 1 large.
  • Vanilla extract: 1/2 tsp.
  • All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup (I like to use unbleached but bleached is fine too).
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: 3 Tbsp.
  • Chocolate chips (optional): 1/4 cup regular size or 3 Tbsp minis.

Scroll below for full printable recipe.

Can I Use Unsalted Butter?

Yes unsalted butter works great too (I just went with salted to keep that ingredients list at a minimum). Just add 1/8 tsp salt along with the sugar if using unsalted.

Butter and sugar in a glass mixing bowl.Egg being added to butter sugar mixture in mixing bowl, then flour and cocoa powder added to mixture.

How to Make a Small Batch of Brownies

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray a 8 by 4-inch bread pan (don’t use a 9 by 5 or they’ll be too thin) with non-stick baking spray.
  2. Place butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave until melted, about 30+ seconds. Let cool slightly while you measure out other ingredients.
  3. Mix in sugar, then mix in egg and vanilla extract.
  4. Add flour and cocoa powder and mix just until combined, if using chocolate chips mix in once flour and cocoa are almost blended in.
  5. Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  6. Bake in preheated oven until set, about 19 – 23 minutes.

Chocolate chips added to brownie batter on left side and finished brownie batter on right side.Brownie batter being spread into a bread pan.

Looking to make a Larger Batch?

If you need more like 12 servings then make my standard brownie recipe.

Possible Variations

  • Add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
  • Try it with chopped walnuts or pecans.
  • Make it extra chocolatey, go with the extra amount of cocoa listed in the recipe.
  • Add coconut.
  • Finish with marshmallows (let cool about 20 minutes then top with marshmallows and toast just quickly under the broiler).
  • Serve with caramel sauce or powdered sugar.
  • Finish with ice cream and hot fudge sauce for an over the top celebration dessert.

More Decadent Chocolate Desserts to Try

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Stack of 3 brownies with ice cream and hot fudge sauce on top.
4.92 from 47 votes

Small Batch Brownies

This is my go-to brownie recipe! It only makes a few so I'm not tempted by an entire batch of brownies sitting around for days. They're so easy to make, perfectly rich, deliciously fudgy and they're sure to satisfy those chocolate cravings.
Servings: 3
Prep5 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Ready in: 25 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray a 8 by 4-inch bread pan*** with non-stick cooking spray (or grease with some butter).
  • Place butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover and heat in microwave until melted, about 30+ seconds. Let cool slightly while measuring out remaining ingredients.
  • Mix in sugar, then mix in egg and vanilla extract.
  • Add flour and cocoa powder and mix just until combined, if adding chocolate chips then add them once dry ingredients are almost blended in.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Bake in preheated oven until set, about 19 - 23 minutes.
  • Let cool about 15 - 20 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

  • *For an intensely chocolatey brownie, use 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 3 Tbsp flour.
  • **Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips can be used depending on flavor preference. These are not included in nutrition estimate as they are optional.
  • ***Don't use a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan or brownies will be too thin.
  • Be careful not to over-mix batter or brownies might be cakey.
Nutrition Facts
Small Batch Brownies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 337 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 158mg7%
Potassium 96mg3%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 552IU11%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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215 Comments

  • Linda

    I loved these brownies! They are almost identical in flavor and texture as a time honored recipe I acquired years ago from a dear friend. Thank you for sharing.

  • Suzette Greyvenstein

    Thank you so much. I am going to try it today. Always wanted a recipe for a small batch.

  • Debbie

    These are so easy to make and they taste so good! Used gluten free flour and they turned out great. Will definitely be making these again. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  • Loretta Machado

    I love these brownies. I’m the only who eats them so it makes the perfect amount. I put nuts in mine instead of chocolate chips.

  • Sky

    300 for 20 minutes was most definitely not enough time. I had to kick it up to 350 for an extra ~8 minutes (after my brownies had already cooked for 25+ minutes) to get them cooked. I thought 300 sounded wrong and I should’ve gone with my gut, but they do taste yummy.

  • Penny

    Oven too low not enough flour. Will adjust and keep love the small batch concept.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Sorry to hear you felt that way! Have you tested your oven with an oven thermometer for proper calibration? And you may find a kitchen scale helpful to get the proper amount of flour and cocoa.

  • Mary

    🙋‍♀️! I love to bake, but sometimes it’s too much to bake up a regular recipe. This looks perfect for husband and me. Question though. Do you use natural cocoa powder or Dutch cocoa powder?
    Looking forward to making this!
    Thanks for your time!