This Single Serve Cosmic Brownie recipe is a super small batch brownie recipe that is topped with a rich chocolate ganache and rainbow chips - just like the ones you loved as a kid! It bakes up in a ramekin, is the perfect size for 1-2 people, and uses simple ingredients. It's the perfect dessert when you want something indulgent, nostalgic, and without the leftovers.
⭐Why I Love It:
- Super Small Batch Brownie Recipe - I love that this single brownie cake recipe serves just 1-2 people so I can satisfy my sweet craving without having to make an entire pan of brownies. This cosmic brownie is topped with ganache and the nostalgic rainbow chips, but I have another Single Serve Brownie recipe that is baked using a muffin pan!
- Ganache Topping - The simple 2-ingredient ganache topping is silky and indulgent but so easy to make!
- Nostalgic Favorite - This is such a fun throwback treat loved by both kids and adults!
🥘Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter - If you use salted butter, just add about half the salt. When measuring the butter, I prefer to cut from the middle of the stick since the tablespoon markers at the ends of the stick can be off. For a small recipe, it's extra important to be accurate with measurements.
- Brown Sugar - When measuring brown sugar, you want to pack it into the measuring cup. I used light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar as well. If you don't have brown sugar, I also have a full batch recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar.
- Egg Yolk - Using only the egg yolk helps keep the recipe super small and it also helps give the the brownie its fudgy center. You can use the leftover egg white to make any of these Single Serve Egg White Recipes.
- Vanilla Extract - For flavor!
- Cocoa Powder - A key ingredient for this recipe! If you don't have cocoa powder, I love this full batch recipe for brownies with hot chocolate mix.
- All-Purpose Flour - You only use a small amount of flour for this recipe to keep them extra fudgy. When measuring flour, make sure to use the 'spoon and level' method. This is where you spoon the flour into the measuring cup or spoon and then level off the top. Instead of dipping the measuring cup directly into the flour bin which can lead to over measuring.
- Kosher Salt - I like the Diamond Kosher Salt. A small amount of salt is so important to balance the sweetness.
- For the 2 Ingredient Ganache Topping - Heavy Cream and Chocolate Chips
- Rainbow Coated Chips - Optional - These are technically optional, but they are what give it that cosmic brownie appearance. I buy them online - I have used this smaller bag or rainbow chips or this bigger jar of rainbow chips and loved them both.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔪How To Make a Single Serve Cosmic Brownie
This recipe for Single Serve Cosmic Brownie is easy to mix up with no mixer and don't forget about the 2-ingredient ganache on top.
Photo 1 - Add the butter and brown sugar to a microwave-safe medium mixing bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds until the butter is melted. Use a fork to stir the butter and sugar together to combine. Add the egg yolk and vanilla to the mixture and mix with a fork to well combine.
Photo 2 - Add the flour, cocoa powder, and pinch of salt then fold together with a rubber spatula.
Photo 3 - Well grease a large ramekin (optional - you can add a circle of parchment paper to the bottom) and add the brownie batter.
Photo 4 - Bake until the edges are set and a toothpick in the center comes out with fudgy/moist brownie crumbs, but not wet batter.
Photo 5 - Let the brownie cool then heat the heavy cream in the microwave until warm (this only takes a handful of seconds). Pour the warm cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for a couple of minutes to melt then stir to combine.
Photo 6 - Spread over the brownie, sprinkle with the rainbow chips, if using, and let cool (I like to pop in the fridge to speed this up).
💭Recipe Tips
- Ramekin Size - I used one large ramekin (10 ounces to the rim and ~4.25 inches wide) but you can use a bigger ramekin or smaller ramekins and just adjust the bake time. This is the large ramekin I use (note - it is labeled as a 7 ounce but it is 10 ounces to the rim).
- Don't Over Bake - The key to a moist brownie is to not over bake it! It is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs only (no wet batter).
- Use 'Spoon and Level' Method When Measuring Flour - When measuring flour, make sure to use the 'spoon and level' method. This is where you spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level off the top. Instead of dipping the measuring cup directly into the flour bin which can lead to over measuring.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
Using only the egg yolk helps keep the brownie recipe super small and it also gives a fudge center.
The spoon and level method is best for measuring flour because it reduces the risk of over measuring. Start by fluffing up the flour int the container then use a spoon to spoon it into the measuring cup and use a knife to level off the top. This is much more accurate than scooping the flour directly from the container with the measuring cup.
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PrintRecipe
Single Serve Cosmic Brownie
This Single Serve Cosmic Brownie recipe is a super small batch brownie recipe that is topped with a rich chocolate ganache and rainbow chips - just like the ones you loved as a kid! It bakes up in a ramekin, is the perfect size for 1-2 people, and uses simple ingredients. It's the perfect dessert when you want something indulgent, nostalgic, and without the leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1-2 servings
- Category: Dessert, Single Serve
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 2 ½ Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar, light or dark
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of kosher salt
Ganache
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional - rainbow coated chips
Instructions
- Prep - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Well grease a large ramekin (mine was 4.25 inches wide and 10 ounces to rim) with butter. For extra non stick, cut a circle of parchment for the bottom.
- Melt Butter and Sugar - Add the butter and brown sugar to a microwave-safe medium mixing bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds until the butter is melted. Use a fork to stir the butter and sugar together to combine.
- Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla - Add the egg yolk and vanilla to the mixture and mix with a fork to well combine. The mixture should become lighter in color.
- Add Dry Ingredients - Add the flour, cocoa powder, and pinch of salt then fold together with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- Bake - Add the batter to the prepped ramekin. Bake for about 25 minutes until the edges are set and a toothpick in the center comes out with fudgy/moist brownie crumbs, but not wet batter.
- Ganache - Let the brownie cool then heat the heavy cream in the microwave until warm (this only takes a handful of seconds). Pour the warm cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for a couple of minutes to melt then stir to combine. Spread over the brownie, sprinkle with the rainbow sprinkles, if using, and let cool (I like to pop in the fridge to speed this up).
- Enjoy
Notes
Ramekin Size - I used one large ramekin (10 ounces to the rim and ~4.25 inches wide) but you can use a bigger ramekin or smaller ramekins and just adjust the bake time. This is the large ramekin I use (note - it is labeled as a 7 ounce but it is 10 ounces to the rim).
Rainbow Coated Chips - These are technically optional, but they are what give it that cosmic brownie appearance. I buy them online - I have used this smaller bag of rainbow chips or this bigger jar of rainbow chips and loved them both.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ brownie
- Calories: 407
- Sugar: 36.7 g
- Sodium: 636.4 mg
- Fat: 25.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47.7 g
- Fiber: 5.6 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 134.6 mg
Kathleen Hansen says
I love that the brownie is not only fudgy but the thick ganache topping makes it even better!