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This Small Batch Chocolate Chip cookie recipe requires no chill time and can be made in 20 minutes. This is a no mixer recipe that makes 6 perfect cookies and is the best when you are having a chocolate chip cookie craving and need one super fast!
Ever get a SERIOUS craving for an ooey gooey warm chocolate chip cookie? YES ALL THE TIME AM I RIGHT?
But when I don’t feel like making a whole batch of cookies, I make these small batch chocolate chip cookies! These are the best chocolate chip cookies because they are gooey on the inside but have crisp edges. They can also be made in just 20 minutes! The buttery taste combined with all that melted chocolate is a serious match made in heaven.
As a professional baker you have got to have a good chocolate chip recipe on hand at all times! Out of all the other chocolate chip cookie recipes I have tried, I always come back to this easy small batch of chocolate chip cookies because they have the best texture with the perfect amount of chocolate chips.
When I need cookies for a crowd I like to make these mini chocolate chip cookies, kids love them! It’s definitely hard to eat just one. You can also make these without butter by following the recipe for dairy free chocolate chip cookies, or even make chocolate chip cookies without brown sugar.
These small batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, are also perfect for when you need a quick treat!
Why these are special
- This small batch cookie recipe only takes 20 minutes to make! You’ll use melted butter so theres no waiting to bring your butter to room temperature.
- This is a no chill recipe.
- They can be made in one bowl and do not require a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Unlike other cookie recipes like these brownie cookies, which make about 18 cookies, this recipe only makes 6 cookies.
- They are a little crisp on the edges but so super soft and chewy on the inside. The chocolate just oozes out of the center and if you sprinkle a little Maldon on top, they are straight up irresistible.
Ingredients needed
All you need are regular baking pantry staple ingredients but in less quantities:
- melted unsalted butter- no need to waste time softening butter! This helps with the texture of the cookie.
- brown sugar– for moisture and chewiness. You can use light or dark brown sugar
- granulated sugar-for sweetness.
- 1 egg yolk- not the whole egg! A whole egg is too big for this small recipe so just use the yolk.
- vanilla extract– for flavor
- all purpose flour– for bulk
- baking powder– for leavening
- baking soda– another leaving agent
- salt– to enhance the flavor
- dark chocolate chips– I like to use semi sweet chocolate chips but you can use any kind.
- Maldon – fancy salt to sprinkle on top (optional but also highly recommend).
How to make small batch chocolate chip cookies
- First melt the butter and combine it with the sugars together in a small bowl. Use a wooden spoon or spatula until a paste forms. Then add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Mix until the cookie dough forms. Next add in the chocolate chips. Save a handful to add to the top of each scoop of dough before baking. Mix until the cookie dough forms. Next add in the chocolate chips. Save a handful to add to the top of each scoop of dough before baking.
- Scoop out uniform scoops using an ice cream or large cookie scoop. If you only have a tablespoon, use two per each scoop.
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Press the extra chocolate chips into the frozen dough scoops and bake for 12-14 mins depending on how crispy you like the edges. Sprinkle with sea salt if you like when they come out of the oven.
- Cool- Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. I like to eat them semi warm!
How to store and freeze
Storing: Honestly you shouldnt need to know this because you should just eat all the cookies but if you need to store them, store them in an airtight container or zip top bag on your counter.
Freezing: Place the cookie dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to make these into 1 dozen cookies
Double the recipe to make a full batch of cookies.
Tips for cookie success
- Measure your flour correctly. The best way to do that is with a kitchen scale. If you want to use measuring cups, spoon flour into your measuring cup and level off with a knife. Never scoop flour with your measuring cup, you will use too much flour.
- To make the cookies flatter, bang the pan of cookies on the counter when it comes out of the oven. This will flatten the cookie and make the chocolate more melty but still keep them like chewy cookies.
- To make cookies perfectly round, place a larger round cookie cutter or glass over the hot cookie when it comes out of the oven. Move your hand in a circular motion to scoot the cookie around the cutter. This will round out the edges to make them look perfectly round.
What makes a cookie chewy?
Using just the egg yolk and more brown sugar than white sugar will ensure you have chewy chocolate chip cookies.
Troubleshooting
Why are my cookies crumbly and dry? This is probably because you used to much flour. Remember not to measure flour by scooping it with your measuring cup, Use a kitchen scale or the spoon and level method I described above.
Why are my cookies thick? Same as above! If you use too much flour your cookies wont spread and they will be too thick.
How to make perfectly round cookies
To make the cookies perfectly round, you need to use a cookie cutter that is larger than the cookie. Place it over the cookie a soon as it comes out of the oven. In a circular fast motion scoot the cookie cutter around the cookie to make it perfectly round.
You have to do this as soon as it comes out of the oven while its still hot or it wont work! The cutter will mold the cookie into a perfect round circle.
Variations
- Add in nuts of choice
- Use white chocolate chips
- Add m&m’s or other candies!
If you love fun takes on chocolate chip cookies, check out my friend Karli’s Brookie Recipe, they can be made in only 25 minutes!
Have more cookie craving? Try these recipes:
- The Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever
- Funfetti Cookies
- Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
- Coffee Cookies
- Brownie Cookies
20 Minute Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted, (56.5 g)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (65g)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk large (no whites)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (90g)
- 1/8 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (120g)
- Maldon optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized microwave safe bowl melt the 1/4 cup butter. Add the 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tbsp white sugar and mix till smooth.
- Add the egg yolk and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and mix again.
- Add in the 3/4 cup flour, 1/8 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, and 1/8 tsp kosher salt and stir till dough forms.
- Stir in the 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Leave out a handful of chocolate on the side and add the rest in to the batter. Mix.
- Scoop out the dough using a 3 tbsp cookie scoop, or using two tablespoons for one cookie dough ball. Press the leftover chocolate pieces all over the tops of each cookie.
- Place on a cookie sheet leaving 1.5 inch space between each one and bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bottom of the cookie is golden brown.
- Sprinkle with Maldon or salt if you want!
Love the idea of a small batch version of chocolate chip cookies! Totally agree with you about chopping up a good quality chocolate bar rather than using chips. Plus the Maldon on the top really puts these over the top. Pinning for later!
YAY! Thank you! I am so glad you agree! It totally makes all the difference!
This sounds fabulous but I have a real thing for crunchy choc chip cookies, is it possible to modify this small batch? Sorry for asking.
Hey Jess! I would suggest these instead https://frostingandfettuccine.com/crispy-and-chewy-giant-perfect-cookies/ !
My dough was dry and clumpy, not sure what I did wrong?
Hi Wendy! That’s super frustrating, I’m wondering if you followed the exact recipe? I would love to help you troubleshoot.
I like the idea of small batch cookies! They seemed so easy and hassle free to make and sure enough, it was effortless.. and the end result-truly satisfying -amazing in taste and texture! 😊
Thank you so much! I am so glad you loved this recipe, so appreciate your rating and comment!
These are my GO TO chocolate chip cookie recipe and that’s saying a lot bc I consider myself to be somewhat of a connoisseur lol. Do yourself a favor and make these cookies tonight!
AHHHH Thank you SO much Katie!! That means so much coming from a cookie connoisseur!!! Thank you!!
Hey Joanne! Thanks for trying this so many times, it could be that the dough just needs to be mixed more as I know many people have had success with this recipe. Sorry it didn’t work out for you but appreciate the comment!
Can’t wait to try this recipe. I only have whole wheat flour and wondering what other changes should I make to ensure they come out amazing.
Great question! I wouldn’t recommend making these with more that 50% whole wheat flour otherwise the texture wont be the same, they can spread a lot and wont be as chewy. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
I made these today and my batter was perfectly smooth. And I put in toffee bits instead of chocolate chips and this recipe was perfect and so delicious. Perfect for a pregnant mama wanting a small batch of treats
YAY Sarah, so happy to hear that. Toffee sounds like a delicious add in too! Hope you are feeling good!
Okay just put them in the oven…. Love how easy the recipe was. Looking forward to DESTROYING my chocolate cravings this evening <3
YESSS YAY TAYLOR! So glad you made these! Hope you ate them all! XO
They were DELICIOUS!
YAYAYAYAY! Thank you so much for your comments and star rating!!
Hey JoJo! Sorry this recipe didn’t work out for you. I have made this recipe many times without it being dry. I am wondering if your baking powder and baking soda are still good? Thank you for trying this recipe anyways!
These cookies were so simple and delicious! Even the next day they were superb 🙂 I sprinkled a little flaky salt on top and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. My new go-to recipe!
YAY Drew! Thank you SO much for making these and the 5 star review. This made my day, so glad you loved these. A sprinkle of salt sounds delish!
I made these tonight and they were absolutely delicious! They were thick and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Perfect!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed these Mary!! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review and 5 star rating, you made my day!!
I tried making these and the batter also turned out super dry and crumbly for me 🙁 they didn’t flatten out either in the oven. I think the recipe may call for too much flour- I followed the ingredient list and steps, but no luck!
Hey Riley!
Sorry these didnt work out for you. Its really important (for this recipe especially because it’s so small) to use the correct amount of flour. If you arent using a kitchen scale you can easily use too much with a measuring cup. This recipe was also updated in the middle of ’22 so anyone who made it before used different ratios- I have since made this recipe many many times so I know the ratios now are correct. Thanks anyways for trying them!
Love a cookie recipe using melted butter, it’s so quick and easy! Turned out beautiful and delicious!
So great to hear Ellen!! These are my go to cookies when I need a cookie ASAP! Melted butter gives them the best texture!!
Okay, but why are these the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever made? Also the easiest and fastest! These win!
OMG Kennedy! Thanks for making my day!! SO glad you love these!
hi there, i just tried these. mine didnt spread at all. i followed the recipe exactly. but they stayed puffy. i had to mash them down with my fingers. i will try it again and leave out the baking powder?
Hi Betty- I dont recommend leaving out the baking powder. Ive made this recipe dozens of times with perfect results- Im wondering how you measured your flour- even the smallest amount over the recommended weight will alter the recipe since it is such a small one. If you used measuring cups you could have accidentally added more flour than necessary which is why I recommend to weigh your flour instead. Thank you for trying this out!
I love these! I was craving choco cookies late at night and found these, the recipe was quick and delicious! I’ll definitely make these again.
YAY thank you so much! This is one of my fave recipes on the site! XO