Name: Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie for the Table
Yield: 3

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 reliable crisp edges, a soft, gooey, chewy center, and pops of chocolate in every single bite!

What Is A Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie?

A single serve chocolate chip cookie recipe makes just a few cookies, enough for one or two servings. It’s reliable 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

Sometimes you need a giant, satisfying 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 satisfying, 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:

No Hour-Long Chilling: As much as It is satisfying to 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?
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!
Accurate Flour Measurement: Very important for achieving the right texture. Too much flour results in cake-y cookies, while too little causes excessive spreading.

Featured Comment

“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!”
– Alexa

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

Ingredients For Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie

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: skippable, 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: skippable, 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.

How To Make A Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

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

Heat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees.
Melt Butter: Microwave the butter until melted, then let it cool to room temperature.
Mix Sugars: Combine the sugars with the cooled butter.
Add Egg Yolk & Vanilla: mix in the egg yolk and vanilla until creamy.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Mix in the baking soda and cornstarch.
Add Flour and Chocolate Chips: Add the flour and chocolate chips. Switch to a spatula when the dough becomes hard to stir.
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!
Bake: Bake until the edges are golden but the center is soft.
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.

Tips For Making This Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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.

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, satisfying inside.

Storage

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Leftovers

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.