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

  • Chris

    Great amount, great flavor, easy to make. I only used two tablespoons cocoa because I prefer a milk chocolate flavor. I baked for 30 minutes at 300, and they were still pretty gooey. I suspect the differing opinions on baking time and temp have to do with how people like their brownies—one person’s fudgy is someone else’s underbaked. I will definitely make these again with a little bit more flour and bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes because I like chewy brownies best. Also, I mixed them right in my glass loaf pan for easy clean up. Thanks for a good small batch recipe!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      When reducing the cocoa just be sure to replace with equal amount flour. Glad you enjoyed them though thanks for your feedback Chris!

  • Natalie

    Delicious. My 2 year old and I made these this morning and I had to take away the pan from him- he was eating the whole thing haha! Mine were cooked at 300 in 25 minutes. Thank you!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Unfortunately I haven’t tested this so I’m not sure on that.

    • Janet Max

      I made a batch in my air fryer last night. I set the temp at 330 and instead of a pan, I used four cupcake liners—I set them right on the rack (I have the style of air fryer that looks like a mini oven.). I think I baked them about 15 min. They were great!

  • Judy

    I made the brownies today. I double the recipe. They turned out delicious. Thank you for sharing.

  • BirdGirl

    Excellent. Taste great and makes the perfect size if you want to enjoy baking in moderation!

  • Cindy

    Just made this tonight. Super easy & great for that chocolate fix. Wonder about the taste? Outstanding! Great for single’s & those counting calories (hey you’re not making a whole pan)! 10 stars! + a yum!😋

  • Pam

    Just checked mine at 19 minutes and they are liquid in the center. Looked at comments and raised temp to 350 and 5 more minutes and we’ll see. Usually my oven is right on. Maybe I should have lowered the oven rack but didn’t want to burn the bottoms.

  • Perez

    I love this recipe but yes 300° is kind of low I did cook it for the right amount of time 23 minutes still not cooked enough I did try as was suggested 350 oven it seems like It will do the trick👍🏽
    Thanks again I love the recipe