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

  • Evgenia

    10/10 my favorite brownies to make ever. I’ve made so many different variations and this had the perfect proportions. I was all out of white sugar so i had to use brown. I used 1/2 cup, but turned out a bit too sweet, so next time if using brown sugar again i’ll adjust. Other than that, perfect recipe <3

  • Anonymous

    I made it and I absolutely loved it! I am not much of a chocolate fan and it was not to rich for me. I thought it was cool that there was an option for the amount of cocoa and flour.

    Also, after I ate 2/3 of the brownie I left the room and came back and the rest were gone. Turns out my mom ate the rest and was raving about how good they were.

    Another thing I loved about this recipe is the fact that you didn’t need to melt the butter all the way. I thought that it helped a lot with the texture of the brownies.

    Over all, my mom and I are now in love with this recipe and I will continue to make them forever. Thank you so much to whoever made this recipe. It is absolutely amazing!!!!!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know. :)

  • Anna R.

    Worked great, however, I did a 1/4 c. Of both cocoa and flour. Happy with the results! ❤️

  • Valerie

    I found this recipe about a year ago and I have kept the tab open in my browser ever since – I swear I make these once a fortnight. Just had to leave a comment and tell anyone reading this – Stop searching for the perfect small-batch brownies. You’ve found it

  • rumee

    I made this but mine burnt around the sides and top. The actual brownie itself was actually really good.

  • NickiDe

    I baked these in a silicone mini muffin pan for 17 min at 350* in my oven and they were perfect. Made one dozen. I put a Rolo candy in the center (small side down) before baking. Yummy. Also made another batch with some cream cheese filling I had leftover from black bottom cupcakes I made last week and again – perfect at 350* for 17 min.

  • Deloris Monroe

    These were perfection!!!
    Made them last night. Sooo easy. One bowl. Easy cleanup.
    Delicious ????
    FYI cooked mine for 30 minutes at 300 degrees.
    20 wasn’t long enough.

  • Elise

    I’ve made these a couple times now! Makes for an awesome late night indulgence or quick afternoon treat for the kids and I. They are the perfect gooey brownie – not sure how these could ever be dry like some people have stated -they’re so fudgy and indulgent! I did have to up the baking time by 8 – 10 minutes but that’s fine by me! Had to share the recipe with family because they loved them so much as well! Thanks so much for sharing!