The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet: Easy, Irresistible, and Perfect for Sharing
Imagine a warm, gooey, chocolate-filled cookie, baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet, topped with scoops of melting vanilla ice cream. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience! This **chocolate chip cookie skillet** is the ultimate treat, designed for sharing with loved ones. It brings restaurant-quality indulgence right into your home, crafted from simple, everyday ingredients. It’s incredibly delicious, remarkably easy to prepare, and simply irresistible – a true crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for more.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a comforting sweet treat, this giant skillet cookie delivers every time. I absolutely love serving it fresh from the oven, paired with a steaming cup of coffee for a cozy evening, or a frosty cold glass of milk for a delightful afternoon pick-me-up. For those who can’t get enough of delicious cookie recipes, be sure to explore these delightful chocolate crinkle cookies and our fun M&M’s chocolate cookie bars.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
- Ingredient Notes
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
- Expert Tips for the Perfect Skillet Cookie
- Variations & Customization Ideas
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
There are countless reasons why this chocolate chip cookie skillet will become your new favorite dessert. First, its **simplicity** is unmatched. With minimal effort and common pantry staples, you can create a truly impressive treat. Second, it’s the ultimate **shareable dessert**. Forget individual cookies; this giant cookie is designed for spoons and smiles, making it perfect for family gatherings, movie nights, or casual get-togethers with friends. Its rustic presentation, baked directly in the skillet, adds a charming touch that feels both gourmet and comforting.
Moreover, the versatility of this recipe allows for endless customization, ensuring it never gets boring. Whether you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a mix of add-ins, you can tailor it to your exact preferences. The contrast of the warm, molten chocolate and the crisp-yet-chewy edges with a tender, gooey center is simply divine. When topped with cold ice cream, it creates a symphony of textures and temperatures that is absolutely addicting. It truly elevates the classic chocolate chip cookie to a whole new level of decadence and enjoyment.
Ingredient Notes
Crafting the perfect chocolate chip cookie skillet starts with understanding your ingredients. Below, we delve into the key components that bring this decadent dessert to life, along with important tips for each. See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and complete instructions.
- All-Purpose Flour: This forms the foundational structure of our cookie. Ensure it’s measured correctly, preferably by weight if you have a kitchen scale, or by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling off to avoid a dense cookie.
- Baking Soda: Our leavening agent! Baking soda reacts with the acidic brown sugar to create carbon dioxide bubbles, giving the cookie a soft, chewy texture and helping it spread just right.
- Kosher Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It balances the sweetness of the sugars and chocolate, enhancing all the flavors. If using table salt, reduce the amount by half.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure you use **unsalted softened butter** for this recipe. Softened butter creams beautifully with the sugars, creating air pockets that contribute to a light and tender crumb. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the total salt content in the recipe.
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combination of these two sugars is crucial. Granulated sugar provides crispness and helps with spreading, while brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a lovely molasses flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly. Light or dark brown sugar will work, with dark brown sugar offering a slightly richer flavor.
- Large Egg: Use a **room temperature egg** for even baking and a better emulsion with the butter and sugar mixture. A cold egg can cause the batter to curdle and affect the final texture of the cookie.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of high-quality vanilla extract elevates the flavor profile, adding warmth and depth that truly makes the chocolate chips sing. Don’t skimp on good vanilla!
- Chocolate Chips: This is where the magic happens! **Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips** will work beautifully. For a richer flavor, consider a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips. You can also experiment with milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even chopped chocolate bars for different melting textures.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Completely optional, but I highly recommend serving this warm cookie skillet with a good quality vanilla ice cream. The contrast of hot and cold, and the melting creaminess against the chewy cookie, is simply divine. Other flavors like salted caramel, coffee, or even strawberry can also be fantastic!
Equipment Needed
- 10-inch Cast Iron Skillet: This is ideal for even heat distribution and achieving those wonderfully crisp edges while keeping the center gooey. If you don’t have one, a similar-sized oven-safe dish (like a pie plate or a round baking pan) can be used, but baking times may vary slightly.
- Large Mixing Bowls: For combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
- Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand): For creaming butter and sugars, making the process much easier and ensuring a light, fluffy base. A sturdy whisk can also work with a bit more elbow grease.
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For folding in chocolate chips and spreading the dough.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Making this incredible chocolate chip cookie skillet is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a truly decadent dessert experience that will impress everyone.
Instructions
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First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, take your 10-inch cast-iron skillet and lightly grease it. This step is crucial to prevent the cookie from sticking and ensures easy serving.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and Kosher salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening or salt in your finished cookie. Set this bowl aside for later.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
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Next, beat in the room temperature large egg and the vanilla extract until they are fully combined with the butter and sugar mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cookie.
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Now for the star: gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. Once mixed, press the cookie dough into your prepared, greased skillet, spreading it out evenly to cover the bottom of the pan.
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Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. The cookie is ready when the edges are beautifully golden brown and the center appears set, though it will still be soft and slightly gooey – this is what we want for that perfect texture!
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Remove the chocolate chip cookie skillet from the oven and let it cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period allows the cookie to set further. Serve it warm, perhaps with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, and prepare to enjoy pure bliss!
Expert Tips for the Perfect Skillet Cookie
Achieving cookie skillet perfection is easy with a few insider tips:
- Don’t Overbake for Gooey Perfection: If you adore a soft and gooey cookie, be very careful not to overbake this! The center should look slightly underdone and just set when you pull it out of the oven. It will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat of the cast iron skillet. However, if you prefer your cookies well-done and firmer, bake it until a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, creating a smooth emulsion that traps air, resulting in a lighter, more evenly textured cookie.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Too much flour can lead to a dry, dense cookie. For best results, use a kitchen scale to measure flour by weight (1 cup all-purpose flour is approximately 120-125 grams). If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Customize Your Cookie Skillet: Feel free to get creative! Enhance your cookie skillet by adding a variety of delicious mix-ins. Consider chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, dried fruits such as cranberries or cherries, or a decadent mix of milk, dark, and white chocolate chips. Crushed pretzels can add a salty crunch, or a sprinkle of sea salt flakes on top before baking can elevate the flavors beautifully.
- Alternate Pan Options: If you don’t have a 10-inch cast iron skillet, don’t fret! You can use a similar-sized oven-safe dish, such as a pie plate or a round cake pan. Just keep in mind that the baking time may vary slightly depending on the material and thickness of your chosen pan. Keep an eye on the edges and center for doneness.
- Serve Warm for the Best Experience: This dessert is truly at its best when served warm, right out of the oven. The molten chocolate and soft, chewy texture are unparalleled.
Variations & Customization Ideas
This chocolate chip cookie skillet recipe is a fantastic base for creativity! Here are some ideas to make it uniquely yours:
- Nutty Delight: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts with the chocolate chips for added crunch and flavor.
- Double or Triple Chocolate: Use a combination of milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate chips. Or, mix in some white chocolate chips for a sweet contrast.
- Candy Craze: Add ½ cup of M&M’s, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or your favorite candy bar pieces for a fun twist, especially great for kids!
- Salty-Sweet Perfection: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of the cookie dough before baking to enhance the chocolate and butterscotch notes.
- Oatmeal Raisin Skillet: For a different flavor profile, substitute ¼ cup of the flour with rolled oats and use raisins instead of chocolate chips, adding a touch of cinnamon.
- Spiced Cookie: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Caramel Swirl: Drizzle some caramel sauce over the cookie dough before baking or immediately after it comes out of the oven for an extra layer of sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
While delicious on its own, a warm chocolate chip cookie skillet truly shines when paired with certain accompaniments. The classic pairing is, of course, a generous scoop (or three!) of **vanilla ice cream**, allowing it to slowly melt into the warm cookie. But don’t stop there! Drizzles of chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar can add an extra layer of indulgence. A dollop of whipped cream is also a delightful addition. For a lighter touch, fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries can cut through the richness beautifully, adding a burst of freshness. Don’t forget the options of pairing with a rich coffee, a strong espresso, or a simple, cold glass of milk for the perfect balance.
Storage and Reheating
If you happen to have any leftovers of this incredible cookie skillet (which is a rare occurrence!), proper storage will help maintain its deliciousness. Allow the cookie skillet to cool completely before transferring it. Leftover cookie skillet can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To enjoy it warm again, simply place individual slices on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 15-30 seconds, or until warmed through. You can also reheat the entire skillet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until warm and gooey again. Be careful not to overheat, as this can dry out the cookie.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a different size skillet?
- Yes, you can. A larger skillet (e.g., 12-inch) will result in a thinner cookie that bakes faster, so adjust baking time downwards. A smaller skillet (e.g., 8-inch) will yield a thicker cookie that requires more baking time. Always keep an eye on the edges and center for doneness.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 2-3 days in advance. Press it into your greased skillet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before baking as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s still quite cold.
- How do I know when the cookie skillet is done?
- The edges should be golden brown and set, while the center should still look slightly soft and gooey. If you prefer a firmer cookie, a knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean. Remember, it will continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven.
- What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?
- No problem! Any oven-safe dish of a similar size will work, such as a glass pie plate, a ceramic baking dish, or a metal cake pan. The cooking time might vary, so keep a close watch.
- Can I freeze the cookie skillet?
- You can freeze individual slices of baked cookie skillet. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or reheat gently in the microwave or oven.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Julie Maestre
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
8
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Equipment
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10-inch cast iron skillet
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Large mixing bowls
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Electric mixer (handheld or stand)
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Spatula or wooden spoon
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Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter , softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- vanilla ice cream, for serving
Notes
- If you like a soft and gooey cookie, don’t overbake this! However, if you like your cookies well done, bake it until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Feel free to customize your cookie skillet by adding nuts, dried fruit or a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips.
- If you don’t have a 10” cast iron skillet, you can use a similar-sized oven safe dish, keep in mind the baking time may change.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Julie Maestre
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
Dessert
American
8
400
chocolate chip cookie skillet, skillet cookie
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