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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217 Comments

  • Kathryn Silverman

    So step 1 mix those ingredients with the melted butter? Can you recommend what type of cocoa to use? Thanks

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      If you scroll down the page a little ways there’s a recipe box there with full instructions. Use unsweetened cocoa powder here.

  • Anna

    This recipe is everything you want in a brownie! I was out of chocolate chips and crushed up peanut butter M&Ms, and it made a great substitute.

  • Lori

    These are fantastic! Easy, hard to find a good classic brownie but this is it!
    Made numerous times always good!
    Larger recipe of this not as good to me

    • Virginia

      Hello! Did the 300 degrees F
      Work? I’ve never baked that low in the US

      • Lisa

        I think that was a mistake, because at 20 minutes it was still batter. I raised it to 350 and left it another 10 minutes and it finally baked up.

        • Christina

          I agree. I’ve made these before a long time ago and they turned out perfect. I’m wondering if the recipe changed because I’ve never baked anything at 300. I’m currently making these and they are not turning out how I want them. I’m left with deciding whether I want these anymore or starting over.

          • Jaclyn

            Jaclyn Bell

            Sorry to hear this, the recipe hasn’t changed but some have mentioned they prefer the brownies at 325, it probably just varies a bit by oven.

  • LISA CONRAD

    We made this and really liked it, but I think the temperature should be 350 and mot 300. We had to cook it for a lot longer at 300, but made it work and we enjoyed them.

  • Nancy

    Made these a few times. Used unsalted butter / no salt added. Did follow suggestion to use more cocoa powder than flour. Added nuts and chocolate chips as suggested. Mine needed cooked a bit longer than stated . Very good will make again !