Quick, easy, and NO HOUR-LONG CHILLING! A small batch, single-serving-sized bakery style large chocolate-chip cookies. Recipe from chelseasmessyapron.com

A Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie is my go-to when I’m craving something sweet! This is the BEST small-batch cookie recipe—with perfect crisp edges, a soft, gooey, chewy center, and pops of chocolate in every single bite!

A single serve chocolate chip cookie recipe makes just a few cookies, enough for one or two servings. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a quick treat without lots of leftovers.

This recipe doesn’t need a long chilling time, so you can enjoy these cookies quickly when the cravings hit!

And if you’re craving a double hit of chocolate, be sure to try this Single Serve Double Chocolate Cookie!

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie baked and ready to be enjoyed.

Sometimes you need a giant, delicious chocolate chip cookie, but not an entire batch—or even a small-batch. That’s where these single-serving chocolate chip cookies come in!

These cookies are absolutely incredible, but exact measuring is important for the best results. You’ll be rewarded with delicious, sweet, buttery, chewy cookies that have soft insides and crisp edges. These cookies are the BEST!

Over the 10+ years I’ve been sharing recipes, this single-serve chocolate chip cookie recipe is one I constantly return to.

Here are the key lessons I’ve learned from making this recipe repeatedly:

  1. No Hour-Long Chilling: As much as I love the effects of chilling on a cookie recipe, when I’m craving a single-serving, small-batch cookie, I want it ASAP. You too, right?
  2. Melted Butter: This recipe originally called for softened butter, but as I revise the photos and text, I’ve switched to melted butter. I’ve figured out how to make it work! While using melted butter does require attention to detail, it is so much easier to mix in and the texture of the cookies are even better!
  3. Accurate Flour Measurement: Very important for achieving the right texture. Too much flour results in cake-y cookies, while too little causes excessive spreading.

And it’s not just me who loves this recipe—here’s what one reader said: “If I could give this recipe 10/5 stars, I would. I’ve tried many other chocolate chip cookie recipes and they just didn’t taste great. THIS IS THE BEST RECIPE I’ve ever used. Everyone I’ve given one of these cookies to absolutely LOVES them. I’ve made this recipe dozens of times now, I even memorized it! I just simply LOVE it!!!! THANK YOU!”

All the ingredients in this recipe prepped out for easy assembly.

Here are some tips on each ingredient used in these cookies:

  • Salted or Unsalted Butter: If you use unsalted butter, add a heaping 1/8 teaspoon of salt to the dough. For an extra hit of flavor, sprinkle sea salt flakes on top.
  • Light Brown Sugar and White Sugar: Make sure the brown sugar is soft and free of clumps. Pack it tightly into the measuring spoons and level off the top. By the way, 1/2 tablespoon is the same as 1 and 1/2 teaspoons.
  • Vanilla Extract: Optional, but it makes the flavor of the cookies even better!
  • Egg Yolk: Use only the yolk to make the cookie richer and to help bind the dough. Be sure to remove all the whites and to pinch off the stringy part (chalaza).
  • Baking Soda: Ensure it’s fresh and free from clumps. If needed, sift it through a fine mesh strainer.
  • Cornstarch: Optional, but it helps make the cookies softer.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Accurate measurement is key. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it with the back of a knife or use a food scale!
  • Chocolate Chips: Choose any type you like. Mixing different types like milk and semi-sweet or dark chocolate is fun and a nice way to change things up.

The wet ingredients being whisked together for this single serve chocolate chip cookie.

Here’s a quick overview of the full recipe (which you can find below):

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Melt Butter: Microwave the butter until melted, then let it cool to room temperature.
  3. Mix Sugars: Combine the sugars with the cooled butter.
  4. Add Egg Yolk & Vanilla: Stir in the egg yolk and vanilla until creamy.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix in the baking soda and cornstarch.
  6. Add Flour and Chocolate Chips: Add the flour and chocolate chips. Switch to a spatula when the dough becomes hard to stir.
  7. Shape Cookies: Form the dough into three large (1/4 cup) balls on a baking sheet. Enjoy any extra dough as a treat or try Edible Cookie Dough!
  8. Bake: Bake until the edges are golden but the center is soft.
  9. Cool & Shape: Let the cookies cool slightly on the pan, then shape with a spatula if needed before enjoying.

Dry ingredients being added to the bowl and it all being mixed together.

  • Measure Precisely: For the best measurements, use a food scale to add ingredients directly into your mixing bowl. If you’re using measuring cups and spoons, be sure to level off the tops to get the right amounts.
  • Proper Butter Measurement: Cut butter from the middle of the stick to avoid using too much, since the wrapping might be put on unevenly.
  • Slightly Underbake: Remove the cookies from the oven just before they’re done. They’ll continue to set as they cool, and you’ll have a nice chewy center.
  • Shape After Baking: Right out of the oven, use a metal spatula to press any uneven edges inwards. Press in some extra chocolate chips on top to make sure chocolate is in every bite!
  • Cool the Butter: Let the melted butter cool completely before mixing it with sugars to prevent the dough from becoming greasy.
  • Mix Well: Thoroughly combine the egg yolk into the dough until it’s creamy.
  • Flatten If Needed: If the cookies look too puffy after baking, gently tap the pan on the counter to flatten them slightly.

The dough ball being placed on a sheet pan and the single serve chocolate chip cookie being baked.

FAQs

Can I make more cookies by doubling or tripling this recipe?

Yes, you can double or triple this recipe to make more cookies, but it’s probably easier to just make a bigger batch! Try my favorite Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies or these popular Bakery Style Chocolate Cookies. I’ve also shared this Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookie Recipe Copycat.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Reducing the sugar is not recommended. Sugar is very important to the texture of a single serve chocolate chip cookie. If you’re concerned about sweetness, use dark chocolate chips and an extra pinch of salt.

How can I tell when the cookie is done baking?

The cookie is done when the edges are set and lightly browned, but the center is soft. It will firm up as it cools. Slightly under-baked cookies have the best texture!

Can I make this cookie ahead of time?

Yes, I like storing the dough rather than baked cookies. Simply roll the dough into balls, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze. When ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I make this in the microwave?

This recipe won’t work in the microwave; it’s created to be baked! If you’re looking for a quick microwave-able dessert, try this Microwave Caramel Corn!

The treat baked and ready to be served.

Helpful Tools

For these single serve chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need these tools to help you:

  • Microwave-Safe Porcelain Bowls: Great for melting butter in the microwave and then cooling down quickly after.
  • Fork: For mixing the sugars with melted butter and for briskly whisking in the egg yolk and vanilla to get a nice smooth blend.
  • Silicone Spatula: Helps mix the dough when it gets thick. It’s also good for scraping dough from the bowl.
  • Baking Tray and Liner: You’ll need a baking tray to cook the cookies. A liner, like a baking mat, gives the bottoms of the cookies a better texture. Plus, quick clean-up!
  • Metal Spatula: After baking, use this to shape the cookies and fix rough edges while they’re still warm and soft.

Single serve chocolate chip cookie recipe broken apart showing the gooey, delicious inside.

Storage

These cookies are the best when they’re hot out of the oven! They’re even better with a scoop of ice cream on top!

For leftovers, store the cookies in an airtight bag at room temp. If you have unbaked dough, keep it in an airtight bag in the freezer and bake directly from the freezer when ready.

4.95 from 58 votes

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie is my go-to when I'm craving something sweet! This is the BEST small-batch cookie recipeโ€”with perfect crisp edges, a soft, gooey, chewy center, and pops of chocolate in every single bite!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 cookies

Equipment

  • Sheet pan and parchment paper or liner
  • Fork, silicone spatula, and metal spatula

Ingredients 
 

  • 3 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter (Note 1)
  • 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
  • 1 large egg yolk (Note 2)
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
  • 1/2 cup white, all-purpose flour (Note 3)
  • 6 tablespoons chocolate chips (I love milk chocolate!)
  • Optional: Sea salt flakes, for topping

Instructions 

  • Use exact measurements and level off the tops of measuring cups/spoons for best results.
  • PREP: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Add butter to a ceramic/porcelain bowl and microwave until just melted but not hot. Let butter & bowl fully cool to room temperature.
  • ADD WET INGREDIENTS: To the cooled butter, add both brown and white sugars. Stir briskly with a fork until well combined. Add the egg yolk and vanilla. Continue to whisk with a fork until the mixture is emulsified and appears very creamy.
  • ADD DRY: Add baking soda, salt (if using unsalted butter), & cornstarch. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Add in flour & chocolate chips. Continue stirring with a fork until it becomes difficult, then switch to a silicone spatula and fold until the dough is uniform without dry streaks.
    Dry ingredients being added to the bowl and it all being mixed together.
  • DOUGH BALLS: With the dough, fill up a 1/4 cup measuring cup and level off the top. Roll into a large ball. Repeat until you have three cookie dough balls. (Anything left over is your treat!)
    Place the balls on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 5-10 minutes while the oven heats.
  • BAKE: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the tops are set but soft looking. Immediately after you pull the tray from the oven, use a flat metal spatula to press the edges of the cookies inwards if needed.
    Optionally, press additional chocolate chips into the tops and sprinkle with sea salt. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before enjoying.
    The dough ball being placed on a sheet pan and the single serve chocolate chip cookie being baked.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Butter: If using unsalted butter, add a heaping 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Make sure to measure butter correctly -- often the wrapping on butter isn't attached evenly so cut from the middle of the stick if possible to make sure you really only have 3 tablespoons.
Note 2: Egg Yolk: Use ONLY the yolk and discard the whites. When separating the yolk from whites take your time to make sure no amount of white makes it in the dough. Also, get rid of the stringy part (chalaza) (I gently pull it off with my fingers).
Note 3: Flour: Accurate measurement is crucial. Use a food scale to weigh out exactly 62 grams for best results. Too much flour leads to cakey cookies, while too little causes excessive spreading.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.7g | Protein: 5.2g | Fat: 21.2g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 112.3mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 31.2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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4.95 from 58 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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142 Comments

  1. Sara says:

    I was so surprised to see the recipe has changed from softened butter to melted and no longer requires chilling. Ive made this recipe for years and unsure I will try the new modifications. LOVE the original, yet to try the new version ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Hannah says:

    5 stars
    This recipe made 4 big cookies for me and they didn’t fully cook in the middle after 11-12 minutes because they were just so giant. I think next time I would half the recipe or just make 6-8 smaller cookies. They taste really good, though!

    1. Chelsea says:

      They do take longer to bake up since they’re larger but they are worth it! They do bake up well smaller as well! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Jackie says:

    5 stars
    Delicious, quick, and easy!!!!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay! Thank you! ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Lucruri says:

        Thank
        you for sharing this recipe. A must make!

        1. Chelsea says:

          YAY! So happy you loved this single serve chocolate chip cookie! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Trisha says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! It was just the
    right amount for my husband and I. The
    recipe was great with my non dairy (no milk) substitutions :)! Yay!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      YAY! So happy to hear this! Thanks so much Trisha! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Alex says:

    5 stars
    Iโ€™ve made these cookies way too many times! Itโ€™s a dangerous one to have around. ๐Ÿ˜‚ They are perfection!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Thanks so much Alex! They really are dangerously good!

      1. Renรฉe says:

        5 stars
        Yes- these can be very dangerous because I have all the ingredients in the house!

        I used semi sweet because I love the dark
        chocolate flavor and milk chocolate is too sweet for me. I also baked them 2 minutes more as I prefer a crispier cookie. Perfection!

        1. Chelsea says:

          I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Renee! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Nathalie says:

    5 stars
    I used cake flour cause thatโ€™s all I had, but they were SO GOOD! I got 6 good sized cookies out of this.

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay!! So happy you enjoyed! Thanks Nathalie! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Joan says:

    5 stars
    I have made lots of small batch cookies, and this is the best one! The cookies are perfect! Very delicious!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Thanks so much Joan! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Lyn says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is perfection and the cookies are delicious. Absolutely satisfied my chocolate chip cookie craving! Followed directions as listed and they turned out exactly as described and pictured in the post. Thank you.

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Lyn! ๐Ÿ™‚