When you’re craving chocolate chip cookies but don’t want a whole batch, make this soft and chewy single serve chocolate chip cookie! This cookie dough comes together in 5 minutes in one bowl, no mixer needed! Make one huge cookie or two large cookies. Need a couple more cookies? Try these small batch chocolate chip cookies.
This is a fun and easy recipe that is ready and waiting for the next time you need a cookie! It’s made with a small portion of standard cookie ingredients with a quick and easy preparation.

This cookie is
Quick and easy: Thirty minutes from start to finish, mostly hands off time.
Soft and chewy: This cookie bakes up with crisp edges and a soft and chewy texture throughout.
Delicious: A buttery cookie with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and chocolate.
Fun: The size of this cookie makes it a super fun treat to brighten someone’s day (even your own!).

Ingredients needed
Butter: I prefer unsalted butter. If you use salted butter just eliminate the added salt.
Brown sugar and granulated sugar: For sweetness and chewiness.
Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract rounds out the flavors.
Egg yolk: Since this is a small quantity of ingredients you only need a yolk, not a whole egg. Reserve the white for another use.
Flour: Regular all-purpose flour for classic cookie taste and texture.
Baking soda: Just a bit to help the cookie rise.
Chocolate: Use chocolate chips, chunks, or (my favorite) a chopped chocolate bar.

Recipe overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
- Mix butter and sugars.
- Add egg yolk and vanilla.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Freeze the dough for 5 minutes.
- Scoop into a single large mound and bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet.


Recipe tips
The butter should be really soft with some melted spots. This ensures that the ingredients mix together smoothly without using an electric mixer.
Measure the ingredients carefully. When making a small batch recipe this is extra important.
Don’t skip freezing the dough (it’s only 5 minutes). This helps firm it up so that it doesn’t spread too much while baking.
Allow the cookie to cool on the baking sheet. It will firm up as it cools.

More small batch recipe
Recipe

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft and a bit melty*
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk, cold, straight from the fridge
- ⅓ cup plus 1 teaspoon all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F with a rack in the center of the oven.
- In a medium bowl, using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, stir together butter and both sugars until well combined. Add vanilla and egg yolk, stirring until well combined. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips/chunks.
- Place the bowl in the freezer for 5 minutes (no longer). Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- After 5 minutes in the freezer, scoop the dough out of the bowl and form into a large mound. Place on the center of the baking sheet and bake for 11-14** minutes until it has spread, is golden brown around the edges, and the very center is still slightly underdone. Top with flaky sea salt and press a few additional chips/chunks on top, if desired. Place the pan on a wire rack and cool completely, it will firm up as it cools.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Nellie Tracy says
This recipe is too perfect! Will be keeping on hand for when that midnight snack craving hits!
wilhelmina says
This recipe is the perfect amount to cure my cookie cravings! I love it!
Kim Byers says
I can’t find the strawberry swirl cookies.
Allison says
I’m not sure which recipe you’re referring to. Here are all of our cookie recipes: https://celebratingsweets.com/?s=cookies
me says
tasted like flour!
Allison says
Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Are you sure you measured correctly? That’s extra important with small batch recipes.
Jaclyn says
Amazing!! My go-to single serve recipe. My husband and I LOVE these!!!
Allison says
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Paola Ruiz says
mine didn’t spread out as much as yours did. Any tips?
Allison says
Did you freeze it longer than 5 minutes? Maybe your flour was over-measured a bit? You can also pat the dough ball down before baking to encourage spreading.
Jackie says
Should I exclude the salt if I use salted butter?
Allison says
I’d still use a pinch of added salt. Enjoy!