• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Red Spatula logo
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bread & Baking
      • Quick Breads
      • Yeasted Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts & Mini Donuts
      • Pie
    • Dinner
    • Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Pork
      • Turkey
    • Dips & Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Search
  • Whole Grain Resources
  • Travel and Hiking
    • Hikes In The USA
    • International Travel
    • National Parks
    • State Parks
    • Travel within United States
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bread & Baking
      • Quick Breads
      • Yeasted Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
      • Bars & Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts & Mini Donuts
      • Pie
    • Dinner
    • Meat
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Pork
      • Turkey
    • Dips & Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups
    • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Search
  • Whole Grain Resources
  • Travel and Hiking
    • Hikes In The USA
    • International Travel
    • National Parks
    • State Parks
    • Travel within United States
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Bars & Brownies

    Small Batch Brownies Recipe

    Published: Oct 29, 2021 · Modified: Feb 15, 2025 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    These delicious fudgy brownies are a must-have for anybody with a chocolate craving. If you want to make brownies for a small family or group of friends, this is the small batch brownies recipe for you!

    This recipe combines good-quality dark chocolate with whole wheat for a nutty twist on a classic gooey brownie.

    If you are looking for others, you need to check out my small-batch snickerdoodles, Small-batch oatmeal raisin cookies, small-batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, small-batch no-bake cookies.

    Small batch brownie recipe on a surface.

    Craving the dark fudgy flavors of brownies but don't want to make a huge batch? I hear you and I'm bringing you the easy answer, a small-batch brownie recipe!

    They're made with all the same quality ingredients you expect in a full batch of brownies but just in smaller quantities and the results are perfection!

    If you like this fudgy brownie recipe, then you might also enjoy this cinnamon brownies recipe with poached pears, rocky road bars, or snickerdoodle bars!

    For a full batch of brownies, check out one of these amazing brownie recipes! Fresh mint brownies, whole wheat brownies, or peanut butter brownies.

    What Makes This Go Good

    • The best thing about this recipe is the flavor. I mean, come on, who doesn't love a fudgy thick brownie? Dark chocolate with walnuts makes this a perfect dessert for any day.
    • These chocolatey brownies have the best fudgy texture. If you are into cake-like brownies, this is not the recipe for you.
    • Makes a small batch of brownies perfect for small households or individuals!
    • This brownie recipe is so much better than a box mix! There is nothing better than homemade brownies, especially when they are made well.

    Ingredients

    Most of the ingredients for this fudgy brownie recipe small batch are basic baking ingredients you may already have on hand.

    • Large egg: Gives the brownies structure.
    • Sugar: I prefer using a blend of granulated sugar and dark brown sugar for brownies. I find it makes a more moist and chewy brownie. You can also use all granulated sugar.
    • Vanilla: For more flavor and sweetness. I prefer using pure vanilla but vanilla extract works too.
    • Flour: This recipe will use a blend of all-purpose flour and whole wheat. It is my favorite way to make brownies but still retains their original flavor and texture. Choose whole wheat pastry flour for best results as it is a lower protein flour and gives the best texture.
    • Butter: Butter is a must for brownies.
    • Walnuts: They're optional, but I really like them! You can leave them out or also use pecans instead!
    • Chocolate: I use a combination of unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Hershey's Special Dark, and a dark chocolate baking bar, such as Ghiradhelli dark baking bars.

    How to Make Small Batch Brownies

    Here's an overview of the steps that go into making this easy small-batch recipe. For detailed instructions check the recipe card. Are you ready to get started? Let's go!

    1. Shave or chop your dark chocolate bar into pieces.
    Chopped dark chocolate and butter in a small white dish.
    1. Add it to your butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then mix until it is smooth.
    2. Beat your egg and sugars until they are light and fluffy. This will take a few minutes, so don't rush it.
    Melted chocolate in a bowl being stirred with spoon.
    Mixing the sugar and egg with electric mixer.
    1. Add in the vanilla and mix again for another 30 seconds. As a side note, if you are on a sugar detox, you may need to wait on these brownies as they are loaded!
    2. Next, sift in the flour and unsweetened cocoa powder, or dutch process cocoa powder as it's also known. My favorite brownie recipes are always a combo of chocolate bars and cocoa powder.
    Adding the vanilla to the sugar and eggs.
    Adding the flour to the bowl of brownies.
    1. Fold in the dry ingredients to combine all the ingredients.
    Small batch brownie batter in a bowl.
    1. Pour batter into 2 prepared 4-inch loaf pans. I sprayed with pan spray, for quick release. This makes a small batch of brownies, so you shouldn't need too big of a pan.
    2. Bake the brownies in the oven. The bake time is somewhere around 10-15 minutes.
    3. Once they are baked, turn them out onto a cooling rack to let them cool.

    I cut each loaf into 3 pieces. You could also use 1 loaf as a piece if you want, no judgment here.

    Expert Tips

    • For the best flavor use pure vanilla.
    • The size of the pan will determine the baking time. I used two small loaf pans, so my baking time was only 12 minutes.
    • Don't overbake the brownies!
    • Change up your brownie mix-ins! Some of my favorite mix-ins include different kinds of nuts, chocolate chips, M&Ms, mints, and anything else you enjoy.
    • Want rich espresso brownies? Add up to one teaspoon of espresso powder for an extra kick!
    • More chocolate flavor? If you want to go for double chocolate brownies, add one-half cup of dark chocolate chips to the brownie batter.
    Woman grabbing a brownie from a stack of brownies.

    More Chocolate Recipes

    • Woman cutting into a molten lava cake with peanut butter on a white plate.
      Molten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
    • Rye chocolate cookies lined up next to each other with sea salt sprinkled on top.
      Dark Chocolate Rye Cookies
    • Chocolate cake roll filled with peppermint filling and topped with crushed candy canes.
      Chocolate Mint Cake Roll
    • Dark chocolate tart with almonds sliced on a surface.
      Dark Chocolate Tart With Almonds

    Follow me on Instagram!

    For more inspiration

    A Red Spatula

    Small Batch Brownies Recipe

    Amy Sandidge
    These delicious fudgy brownies are a must-have for anybody with a chocolate craving. If you want to make brownies for a small family or group of friends, this is the small batch brownies recipe for you!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6

    Equipment

    • Bowl
    • hand mixer or whisk
    • 2- 4 inch mini loaf pans

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1 ½ ounces dark chocolate bars, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour I prefer using whole wheat pastry flour
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
    • dash salt
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray or butter your loaf pans and set them aside.
    • In a small bowl, add the chopped dark chocolate and butter. Melt for 30 seconds in the microwave, then mix until it is smooth.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, add the egg, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until they are light and fluffy.
    • Add in the melted chocolate mixture and the vanilla.
    • Mix for another 30 seconds. Then add in the flours, salt, and cocoa powder. Again, mix until it is combined.
    • If you are using walnuts, they are added in last. I like to use the spatula to mix them in.
    • Divide between your 2 prepared loaf pans.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes. It will not take long, DO NOT OVERBAKE. Although, I do like my brownies a little fudgy and gooey. Bake for 12-14 if you really like yours baked well.
    • Remove from the pan and allow them to cool slightly. I know it is tempting to eat them right away, but they are much better if they cool slightly.
    • Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!

    Notes

    • For the best flavor use pure vanilla.
    • The size of the pan will determine the baking time. I used two small loaf pans, so my baking time was only 12 minutes.
    • Change up your brownie mix-ins! Some of my favorite mix-ins include different kinds of nuts, chocolate chips, M&Ms, mints, and anything else you enjoy.
    • Want rich espresso brownies? Add up to one teaspoon of espresso powder for an extra kick!
    • More chocolate flavor? If you want to go for double chocolate brownies, add one-half cup of dark chocolate chips to the brownie batter.
    Keyword brownie recipe small batch, small batch brownies, small batch of brownies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Baked
    • Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
    « Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
    Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Slices of grilled stuffed pork tenderloin on a white plate.
      Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
    • Breakfast Oat Groats Instant Pot Recipe
    • Virgin pina colada with a drink umbrella and pineapple wedge on it.
      Virgin Pina Colada Recipe- with Coconut Milk
    • Lemon curd in small mason jars with fresh lemons on the side.
      The Best Thick Lemon Curd
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Subscribe

    Are Whole Grains and Carbs the Big Bad Wolf?

    Subscribe and find out. I will be sending out weekly or biweekly updates on recipes I am creating!

    Thank you for subscribing!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 A Red Spatula

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.