Single-Serve Brownie (One Fudgy Brownie in a Ramekin)
A single-serve brownie gives you one warm, fudgy brownie in a ramekin or mug in about 15 minutes — no mixer, no pan to wash, no leftovers. You stir everything in one small bowl, bake it in a ramekin, and eat it with a spoon. It’s the answer to a late-night chocolate craving when a whole pan of brownies is the last thing you need.
The Quick Version
- One brownie, one bowl, one ramekin. No leftovers.
- Oven (15 min) or microwave (~1 min) — both work.
- Use an 8 oz ramekin or oven-safe mug.
- Pull it with a soft center for true fudgy texture.
Oven or microwave?
Both work, and it comes down to time. The oven gives a slightly chewier, set top in about 15 minutes. The microwave delivers a gooey brownie in under a minute — pour the same batter into a mug and zap 50–70 seconds, watching closely so it doesn’t dry out. For a craving, the microwave wins; for a touch more texture, use the oven.
How to make it (oven)
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Stir 2 tbsp melted butter, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp water, ¼ tsp vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Stir in 2 tbsp cocoa, then 3 tbsp flour, until just smooth. Fold in chips if using.
- Scrape into a greased 8 oz ramekin.
- Bake 14–16 minutes until the top is set but the center is soft. Cool 5 minutes.
Foolproof tips
- Don’t overbake. A soft center means fudgy; a firm one means cakey. It sets as it cools.
- Grease the ramekin so it scoops cleanly (or just eat straight from it).
- Top it with a scoop of no-churn ice cream for a two-minute sundae.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a brownie for one?
Scale a brownie to a few tablespoons of each ingredient and bake it in a single greased ramekin. Stir melted butter, sugar, cocoa and a little flour in one bowl, then bake ~15 minutes. No mixer, no pan.
Can you microwave a single-serve brownie?
Yes — microwave the same batter in a mug 50–70 seconds, watching closely, for a faster fudgy brownie. The oven gives a slightly chewier top.
What size ramekin do I need for a single brownie?
An 8-ounce (about 1 cup) ramekin is ideal — big enough that it won’t overflow, small enough for one serving. An oven-safe mug works too.
Single-Serve Fudgy Brownie
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F (175C). Stir the melted butter, sugar, water, vanilla and salt together in a small bowl.
- Stir in the cocoa, then the flour, until just smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
- Scrape into a greased 8 oz ramekin and smooth the top.
- Bake 14-16 minutes until the top is set but the center is still soft. Let it cool 5 minutes – it firms up as it sits.
More small-batch bakes
This is part of our small-batch baking guide. Prefer cookies? Try small-batch chocolate chip cookies. Want it even faster? See our easy mug cake recipes. Browse all small-batch recipes.
