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Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect way to satisfy that cookie craving without being tempted to eat too many!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Ever have a craving for a warm chocolate chip cookie but you don’t want or need 24 cookies!? And you know if you make a batch of cookies, you are going to eat all of them. That is where this small batch chocolate chip cookie recipe comes in.
There are so many things to love about this recipe. All you need is one bowl and it only takes a few minutes to mix up a batch of delicious cookies. This recipe only makes 6-8 cookies (depending on how big you make them) so you can easily satisfy that cookie craving without over indulging!
And they are delicious! Crispy on the edges and nice and chewy in the middle.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter. I use salted butter but if you prefer unsalted you may need to add an extra pinch of salt to the recipe. Do not over soften your butter, room temperature is great. If you are able to make an indentation with your finger without your finger going all the way through the butter it is ready.
- Sugar. I use a combination of granulated and light brown sugar but I have also made them with all brown sugar which gives them a deeper color and flavor and is delish!
- Egg. We are only going to use one large egg yolk. Using the whole egg makes the cookies taste too eggy.
- Vanilla extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Flour. I like to use unbleached all purpose flour.
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Chocolate Chips. Use your favorite chips. I use either semi sweet or milk chocolate and sometimes use both and add in some white chocolate chips. Dark chocolate chips will work great too.
How to Make Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix together butter and sugars until well combined and slightly fluffy.
- Add in egg yolk and vanilla.
- Add in dry ingredients, right before all the flour is incorporated add in the chocolate chips.
- Mix until all ingredients are combined. There is no need to chill this dough but if you aren’t ready to bake go ahead and put it in the fridge and bake later.
- Form 6-8 cookie balls with a cookie scoop and place on the parchment lined or silicone mat lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Until lightly golden brown around the edges and still soft in the middle.
Tips
- Mix these by hand in a bowl rather than a stand mixer or electric mixer.
- Don’t over mix your cookie dough. Stir in the dry ingredients by hand until almost incorporated and then add in your chocolate chips. Over mixing makes your cookies tough.
- When measuring your flour use the scoop and level method. Use a knife to level off the flour. Too much or too little flour in a small batch recipe can really make a big difference in the final product.
- Use a 1 oz. size cookie scoop (which is 2 Tbsp) which gives you about 6 cookies. If you want fewer cookies, make the scoops a bit larger.
- Use parchment paper to line your cookie sheet. It makes clean up easier and I think the cookies bake more evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gluten free flour in this recipe?
I have never done it but I have had good luck with the cup for cup gluten free flours in other recipes so it is definitely worth the try! If you try it be sure and leave me a comment and let me know.
Can I add nuts to the cookies.
If you like nuts in your baked goods, go for it! I recommend using pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts. Cut your chocolate chips down to 1/3 cup and add in 1/4 cup of chopped nuts.
Can I use dark brown sugar?
Absolutely, the dark brown sugar will just give the cookie a deeper flavor. Dark brown sugar has more molasses in it, giving it more flavor.
Why don’t you just make a full batch and freeze the extra cookie dough?
This is always an option, but if you are like me, if you know there is frozen cookie dough in the freezer, you are going to eat the frozen cookie dough! This small batch chocolate chip cookie recipe solves that problem too.
The base of this cookie recipe can be used to make a lot of fun cookies. Try:
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: 1/3 cup white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of chopped macadamia nuts
- Chocolate M&M: 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of mini M&M’s
- Funfetti: 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of sprinkles.
For more small batch cookie recipes try these:
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Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour plus 2 Tbsp.
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix together butter and sugars.
- Add in egg yolk and vanilla.
- Add in dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Form cookie balls on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12-14 minutes. Until lightly golden brown around the edges and still soft in the middle.
Tips & Notes:
- When measuring your flour use the scoop and level method. Use a knife to level off the flour. Too much or too little flour in a small batch recipe can really make a big difference in the final product.
- Don’t overmix. Overmixing is easy with small batch recipes and will give you a tough cookie. Mix just until dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Use a 1 oz. size cookie scoop (which is 2 Tbsp) which gives you about 6 cookies. If you want fewer cookies, make the scoops a bit larger.
Nutrition Facts:
Tamika says
I was skeptical about this recipe because it uses only one bowl but it turned out great. Yay I can get my cookie fix with little ingredients and little prep time. Thanks
Kathryn says
I am cooking just for one now that my husband is in a memory care community so I really appreciate the small batch recipes. I made these cookies on Sunday afternoon. I took part of them for our dessert to my friend that I was having dinner with Sunday evening. They are delicious and I will certainly make them again. So easy.
LeAnne K says
These cookies are delicious! I will make them again!
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
I am so glad you loved them too!!
Denise says
Seriously my new favorite chocolate chip recipe!! Thanks!!
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
Yes! I love hearing that!