Small batch chocolate chip cookies for your next cookie craving! Make just a half batch of chocolate chip cookies the next time you need a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie!
The Best Small-batch Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
I'm sharing this recipe today with so much love. I've been scaling down recipes since 2009, but it wasn't until 2010 that I started this blog. One of the first things I wanted to share here in this space is a small-batch chocolate chip cookies recipe.
If I remember correctly, small-batch chocolate chip cookies were one of the first 20 recipes I shared. My actual first recipe was chocolate cream pie for two, however.
We all need chocolate chip cookies every now and then, but we almost never need four dozen of them. I still believe in the dessert for two doctrines after all of these years. A little bit of the real dessert is better than a lot of the fake stuff. Small batch desserts fit into our lives so easily!
Some of you said: why don't you just freeze the leftover dough?
While I realize I can store leftover cookie dough balls in the freezer, I cannot be trusted around frozen cookie dough. I'm one of those people that thinks frozen dough is even better than the baked cookie! Plus, if I froze every leftover batch of cookie dough, I would soon need to buy a deep freezer for additional freezer space!
It seems I cannot be trusted around a batch of cookies that make more than one dozen cookies. I'm hoping you're the same way as me! I'm guessing since you landed on this site, you might be. If that's the case, welcome!
Chocolate chip cookies with shortening?!
You guys loved my original recipe for small-batch chocolate chip cookies. I'm so glad that you guys think it's so amazing to have a small recipe for cookies that you could bake whenever a cookie craving hits. And, you love that the recipe only makes 10-12 cookies, not the typical 4 dozen cookies of standard recipes.
I love that neither of us trusts ourselves around leftover cookies. We're the same, you and I.
However, my original recipe for a small batch of chocolate chip cookies contained shortening. I grew up in the South, and shortening is a common ingredient to me when used in moderation. But, I've learned that most of you guys avoid shortening at all costs.
After many emails poured in asking if the recipe could be made with all butter, I finally decided to try it myself! I'm so glad I took your advice.
As it turns out, chocolate chip cookies made without shortening are amazing, and it's possible to still have the chewy, melty, gooey cookies of our dreams. Butter is where it's at, friends!
You're going to love these cookies because they contain all butter and dark brown sugar. If you have my first cookbook, Dessert for Two, you can use this new formula to adapt the recipe.
If you want to keep making the original recipe with shortening, that's perfectly fine, too friends! I'm just here to make sure you get enough cookies in your life. The original ratio is 4 tablespoons of butter to 2 tablespoons of shortening.
It would be super fun to make both recipes side by side and host a taste-test party!
Shortening makes cookies fluffy while still giving them a crisp edge. It's magical stuff, but I understand if you don't want to bake with it.
Baking Tips for making small-batch chocolate chip cookies:
-Use softened butter. That means butter that sits out at room temperature for about 20 minutes. You can press a finger into the butter to make an indent, but your finger will not go all the way through easily. Softened butter is not room temperature butter.
-Use dark brown sugar. The only difference between light brown sugar and dark brown sugar is the molasses content. And when it comes to cookies, the more molasses, the better. Molasses makes cookies a lovely shade of golden brown, and it's key for chewy cookies.
-This recipe uses just an egg yolk (because it's small-batch). I have a collection of recipes that use leftover egg whites if you're interested.
-Use ⅓ cup of chocolate chips for the dough, but feel free to push a few more chocolate chips on the top right when they come out of the oven. That's a pro tip ;)
I want to mention that if you have egg allergies, try this recipe for a small batch of chocolate chip cookies without eggs. I hope you make it at least a few times a month just like I do!
Another fun variation is to add orange zest to your cookies. I also want to mention that you can use any type of chocolate chips and add nuts if you prefer your cookies that way. I have a small batch cranberry white chocolate chip cookie recipe that is a variation of this recipe.
Storage/ Make-Ahead:
These cookies keep already baked on the counter for up to 3 days. They keep for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can scoop and freeze the dough and store in the freezer for up to 3 months, if you store in a freezer-safe container. Bake the cookies straight from frozen, but add a few extra minutes to help them cook all the way through.
More Favorites from Dessert for Two
Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies recipe from scratch that only makes a small batch.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk (egg white reserved for another use)
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375. Line a light-colored baking sheet with a silicone mat.
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 20 seconds.
- Add the sugars, and beat for about 30 seconds. The mixture will turn a pale color and be fluffy.
- Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until just combined.
- Whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a separate bowl.
- Sprinkle the flour on top of the butter mixture, and beat just until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop the dough into 12 dough balls, and space them evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, removing the cookies from the oven when the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 1 minute before moving them to a wire rack to cool.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 67mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
Maddy says
Definitely one of the best chocolate chip cookie recipes I’ve found online. Even if you’re not looking for a small batch recipe, double or triple this one to get the softest, chewiest, most delicious chocolate chip cookies ever !
A says
made excellent edibles with this thank you!
Kendra says
Made this exactly as written tonight aside from using dark brown sugar because I only had light brown in my pantry, and from a baking standpoint they turned out great! I guess for my own taste preference they were way too “sugary.” When eating them, I felt I was eating a sugar cookie and not so much chewy choc chip cookie?? Is there a way I can cut the granulated sugar a bit without drastically changing the bake? Or should I add a tad more salt to balance it out? Or could it have been how I creamed the butter and sugars together? Any help is appreciated-I would love to make again!
Sophie says
Have you ever tried replacing the brown/white sugar with coconut sugar? Thanks! I just don't want to waste coconut sugar if it doesn't work here.
Zoe says
I love this recipe so much!! It never fails, perfect for our two-person household. I've done variations with browned butter, nuts, and with cooling the dough before vs not. Literally all turned out delicious. 10/10
It usually does make 9 for me instead of 12 but I like a medium-large sized cc cookie
Katherine says
Found this recipe while pregnant and craving sweets. I made the cookies larger than the recipe suggests and had to bake them longer but they came out delicious. We dipped them in some warm milk and they were the perfect Saturday night indulgence. Fluffy with a nice bit of crisp on the outside. Definitely saving to make again.
Samina says
Seriously one of the most delicious, just right recipe!!!! Thank you. My 2yo and 4 yo simply love this easy yummy recipe. I super love the edges crunch.
Ayeshia says
I decided to start baking again, as most store bought baked goods taste more and more artificial.
Also, I can’t always make it first thing in the morning to wait in line at the local bakery.
I am very pleased with how the cookies turned out. A little sweeter than I like so next time I’ll cut back on the white sugar and add salted pecans.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Christina Lane says
Awesome! Just know that when you reduce sugar in a recipe, you're reducing liquid and you might end up with a dry, crumbly cookie.