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If youโve ever wanted to make a single serve cookie to enjoy alone, I have the recipe for you! My recipe for One Chocolate Chip Cookie has been perfected over years. After tweaking teaspoons of sugar and butter for ages, I finally landed on the right combination. Itโs chewy in the center and slightly crisp on the edges, which is the exact definition of perfection. Save this recipe for rainy days and tv binge nights!
Testing and tweaking recipes to make less portions is my thing. You know this, and you probably have at least one of my four cookbooks to prove it. In the past, I happily accepted that 4-6 cookies is about as low as we can go while still maintaining that perfect cookie texture.
However, if I didnโt confess to eating an entire small batch chocolate chip cookies recipe in one night, I would be lying to you. So, I am sharing this recipe for just one chocolate chip cookie.
Honestly, this recipe took a long time to get right. Most of the time, the failures consisted of a cookie that was too puffy and muffin-like. A few times, it spread everywhere on the pan. Sadly, more butter is not always more better.
The final recipe that Iโm sharing today is PERFECTION. I have a few tips to make sure your end result is one chocolate chip cookie that is the size of a giant bakery cookie.
How to Make One Chocolate Chip Cookie
The method here is so simple, that you can absolutely make it in your pajamas with the light of Netflix playing in the background, like I have many, many times. There is no need to use a special hand mixer or even a special bowl. I make mine in a cereal bowl, because it makes such a small amount of batter. Also, I think it goes without saying, but you donโt need to chill this dough. Just mix, shape, press on extra chocolate, and bake!
Also, this recipe uses melted butter, so you donโt even need for the butter to soften and become a magical perfect temperature for baking! This reminds me of my easy sugar cookies that start with melted butter, too.
The Ingredients
- Butter. Two tablespoons of melted butter. This is one ounce of butter by weight. I recommend unsalted butter for baking, because we will be adding our own salt to the dough. Also, please slice two tablespoons off of one whole stick of butter; do not dig a tablespoon measure into a tub of butter. I have to say this, because many of you have done this! Butter in a tub contains extra milk, oil or even water to make it more โspreadable,โ and it is not the same thing as stick butter.
- Brown Sugar. You can use either dark or light brown sugar, both work equally well. To measure it, scoop it into a tablespoon and pack it firmly. Repeat 3 times.
- Egg Yolk. Please do not use the entire egg! If you do, your recipe for one chocolate chip cookie will look more puffy and like a muffin! Use an egg separator if you must, or just use your hands. Only add the egg yolk to the dough. Peruse my collection of recipes to use egg whites to use the leftover portion.
- Vanilla Extract. Technically, Iโm calling for 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, but you can add up to 1/2 teaspoonโmeasure vanilla with your heart.
- Flour. We need 1/4 cup plus two additional teaspoons of flour. This is a very precise measurement that produces the best results. Do not deviate from this amount. Trust me, I tried this recipe with only 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon, 1/3 cup of flour, and 1/4 cup plus 3 teaspoons. The best results occur with 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons.
- Salt. Please donโt skip the salt in this recipe. It balances all of the flavors. If you love salted caramel, try sprinkling extra salt on top right when the cookie comes out of the oven, additionally.
- Chocolate Chips. Just two tablespoons of chocolate chips for the dough is plenty, but I highly suggest pressing a few extra chips on top to make them look like they came from the bakery.
The Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit, and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a small bowl, and stir to dissolve.
Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla, and stir again to combine very well.
Evenly sprinkle the flour and salt over the bowl, and stir together well. Do not over-mix or stir too long, but just stir until no streaks of flour remain.
Sprinkle in the chocolate chips into the dough, and stir just to combine the dough for one chocolate chip cookie.
Place all of the dough in a rough circular shape on the prepared baking pan. Just before baking, press a few additional chocolate chips on top.
Bake for 14-16 minutes, until the edges are starting to turn golden brown and the center is set. Let the cookie cool on the sheet pan before removing so that it sets and doesnโt break apart too easily. Sheโs a big cookie, and sheโs fragile while hot.
Tips and Tricks for Making One Chocolate Chip Cookie:
- Use a small baking pan. My first choice for a baking pan is something that is a light colored metal, not dark metal. Beyond that, I like an insulted pan. These are the exact pans I love.
- Line your pan with parchment paper to help with even heat distribution in the oven.
- Press a few chocolate chips on top just before baking.
- You can technically split the recipe in half and make two medium-size cookies. In that case, please reduce the bake time a few minutes. Keep an eye on them in the oven, and remove them from the oven when the edges are start to turn golden brown.
- Itโs imperative that this cookie cools on the sheet pan before serving. Since itโs a big cookie, it might break into smaller pieces if removed from the pan still warm.
FAQ
A single cookie wonโt ruin your diet, I think we can all agree on that. But, having two or three dozen cookies around the house might! I like to use small batch desserts for this exact reason. Check the bottom of the recipe card below for full nutritional information.
Iโm sorry, but this isnโt a microwave recipe. It is meant to be baked in the oven. However, you might love my my microwave brownie pots or my microwave lemon curd.
More Favorites from Dessert for Two
One Chocolate Chip Cookie
A recipe for one chocolate chip cookie. This single serve cookie recipe will be your new best friend!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce/ 28 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons (42 grams) brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons (45 grams) flour
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, plus extra for top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350, and line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Mix the butter and brown sugar together with a small spatula.
- Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Then, sprinkle the flour and salt evenly over the bowl, and stir just until combined.
- Finally, sprinkle in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet and try to mound it up a bit. Place a few more chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes. The cookie is done when the edges are turning golden brown, but the center may stay a bit gooey and soft. Let the cookie cool completely on the pan so that it sets.
Notes
Butter: Two tablespoons of melted butter is one ounce of butter by weight. Please, slice two tablespoons off of one whole stick of butter; do not dig a tablespoon measure into a tub of butter. Butter in a plastic container contains extra milk, oil or even water to make it more 'spreadable,' and it is not the same thing as stick butter.
Brown Sugar: You can use either dark or light brown sugar, both work equally well. To measure it, scoop it into a tablespoon and pack it firmly. Repeat 3 times.
Egg Yolk: Please do not use the entire egg--separate the egg and just add the egg yolk to the dough.
Flour. We need 1/4 cup plus two additional teaspoons of flour. This is a very precise measurement that produces the best results. You can measure it at 45 grams of flour. My method for measuring is to fluff the flour, scoop it, and then level off with a knife.
Salt: Please don't skip the salt in this recipe. It balances all of the flavors. If you love salted caramel, try sprinkling extra salt on top right when the cookie comes out of the oven.
Chocolate Chips: Just two tablespoons of chocolate chips for the dough is plenty, but I highly suggest pressing a few extra chips on top to make them look like they came from the bakery.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 511Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 245mgSodium: 277mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 1gSugar: 44gProtein: 4g
Just trying to use what I have: does regular salted butter work ok? (And leave extra salt out?). I donโt do a lot of baking lately, so want to try this so bad!
That will work great :)
One perfect cookie for my friend whoโs on a diet. Who can say no to that? Thank you for your recipe.
Is this cookie supposed to rise at all? Iโm not sure what I did wrong.
Love this recipe, so chewy and the perfect size :)
I teach FCS at the high school level and tried this recipe for my students. They each made their own recipe (yes, 109 eggs!). This batter actually made 4 small cookies, 2 medium ones, or 1 large one and that one was just too long to cook in the classroom time constraints. If you are looking for a ONE cookie recipe then I would definitely cut this in half. Tasted great though :)
This recipe looked so good that im using it for my sciene fair, i must say that it made 3 cookies, im not if it was supposed to be one but it looks so good!
You know how it isโฆyou keep junk in the house and it gets eaten. By you. In one sitting. So I donโt keep junk in the house, but then I get SNACKY on the weekend. I am SO GLAD I found this recipe! Itโs PERFECT for me and my husband; I split it into two blobs on the pan, and itโs the best treat I have all week after eating so clean and wanting to reward myself. Thank you so much for doing all the work to figure out the measurements โ it is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!
Made it in the air fryer and wouldnโt change a thing! Really satisfying!
What temperature and how long in the air fryer?
Just wondering how it will be a cookie without any baking soda or powder?
Thanks !