Ultimate Skillet Cookie Recipe: Gooey Chocolate Chip Pizookie Perfection
Skillet Cookie – the ultimate ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookie baked to perfection in a cast-iron skillet, then crowned with creamy ice cream, luscious hot fudge, fluffy whipped cream, and any other delightful toppings your heart desires! This easy dessert recipe is pure bliss.
There’s a special place in everyone’s heart for a dessert that’s warm, sweet, and comforting. For many, that’s the legendary skillet cookie, also affectionately known as a “pizookie” or a cookie sundae. Whatever you call it, this glorious creation brings together a freshly baked, warm cookie base with a symphony of cold ice cream and your favorite toppings, delivering an experience of pure dessert heaven. It’s more than just a cookie; it’s an event, perfect for sharing (or not!).
The magic of a skillet cookie lies in its serving. It’s absolutely essential to serve it immediately, straight from the oven. That’s when the cookie is at its prime: wonderfully warm, delightfully gooey, and ready to perfectly melt scoops of ice cream into a luscious, irresistible puddle. Each spoonful is a harmonious blend of textures and temperatures – a warm, chewy cookie embracing cool, melting ice cream, often enhanced by rich chocolate, sweet caramel, and a mountain of whipped cream. This combination creates an unforgettable bite every single time.
Beyond its incredible taste, the skillet cookie offers a rustic charm. Baking and serving it in a cast-iron skillet adds to its appeal, making it feel like a wholesome, hearty treat. It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing for endless customization to suit any palate or occasion. Whether it’s a weeknight treat, a special gathering, or just a craving for something truly decadent, a skillet cookie consistently delivers.
Essential Ingredients for Your Skillet Cookie
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.
Crafting the perfect skillet cookie starts with selecting quality ingredients. While the core concept is simple, the right components elevate this dessert from good to truly extraordinary. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create your masterpiece:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: This is the heart of your skillet cookie. While our recipe below guides you through making a decadent homemade chocolate chip cookie dough from scratch, don’t hesitate to use your favorite store-bought tube or pre-made dough for a quicker option. For homemade, you’ll typically need:
- Butter (softened): Crucial for the rich texture and flavor. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar.
- Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The combination of these sugars is key. Brown sugar adds moisture and a chewy texture, thanks to its molasses content, while granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges and overall sweetness.
- Large Eggs: Act as a binder, adding richness and helping the cookie rise slightly.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of your cookie.
- Baking Soda: Our leavening agent, ensuring a soft, slightly puffy cookie.
- Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the complex flavors of the chocolate and butter. Don’t skip it!
- Chocolate Chips: The star! Semi-sweet is classic, but feel free to experiment with milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips, or a mix of several. High-quality chips melt beautifully into gooey pockets.
- Ice Cream: The indispensable cooling contrast to the warm cookie. Vanilla ice cream is a timeless choice, offering a clean, sweet backdrop that allows the cookie’s flavor to shine. However, this is your chance to get creative! Consider chocolate, salted caramel, coffee, or even a berry swirl for a unique twist.
- Hot Fudge: A warm, rich hot fudge sauce takes this dessert to the next level. We highly recommend our Homemade Hot Fudge for an unparalleled taste experience. Its deep chocolate flavor and silky texture are simply divine.
- Caramel Sauce: A drizzle of gooey caramel adds another layer of sweet, buttery complexity. Homemade or store-bought, it’s always a welcome addition.
- M&M’s: These colorful candies add a fun crunch and extra chocolatey goodness. They’re especially popular with kids (and adults who are kids at heart!).
- Sprinkles: For a festive touch and a bit of playful texture. Great for celebrations!
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of light, airy whipped cream completes the sundae experience. Our Homemade Whipped Cream is incredibly easy to make and tastes infinitely better than store-bought.
- Additional Topping Ideas: Beyond the basics, think about crushed nuts (pecans, walnuts), mini marshmallows (toast them lightly!), chopped candy bars, pretzel pieces for a salty crunch, or even fresh fruit like sliced bananas or strawberries.
How To Craft Your Perfect Skillet Cookie
Making a skillet cookie is surprisingly simple, yet yields incredibly impressive results. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve a perfectly baked, supremely delicious dessert:
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
If you’re opting for homemade dough (which we highly recommend for the best flavor and texture), begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter with both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step incorporates air, making your cookie tender. Next, beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cookie. Finally, gently fold in your chosen chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough. If using store-bought dough, simply unroll or scoop it out.
- Press and Bake:
Lightly grease your cast-iron skillet (or alternative bakeware). A standard batch of homemade chocolate chip cookie dough is often enough for two 9-inch skillets, or you can divide it into smaller, individual-sized skillets for personalized servings. Press the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the skillet(s), ensuring it forms a relatively flat and uniform layer. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to turn a beautiful golden brown, while the center should appear mostly set but still slightly soft and gooey. The key here is to underbake it slightly; the residual heat from the hot skillet will continue to cook the cookie after it’s removed from the oven, resulting in that irresistible molten center.
- Cool Slightly (but not too much!):
Once baked, carefully remove the skillet(s) from the oven. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. This brief resting period allows the cookie to set slightly, preventing it from being overly crumbly, while still retaining enough heat to perfectly melt your ice cream. Avoid cooling for too long, as you want that delicious warm-cold contrast.
- Top and Serve Immediately:
Now comes the fun part! While the skillet cookie is still wonderfully warm, scoop generous dollops of your favorite ice cream (vanilla is classic, but feel free to experiment) directly onto the cookie. Then, unleash your creativity with toppings! Drizzle with warm hot fudge and caramel, scatter M&M’s and sprinkles, and finish with a cloud of whipped cream. The warm cookie will gently melt the ice cream and sauces, creating a decadent pool of flavor and texture. Grab spoons and dive in immediately – this dessert is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, with friends and family gathered around!
Expert Tips & Tricks for Skillet Cookie Success
While making a skillet cookie is fairly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your dessert from good to absolutely phenomenal. Pay attention to these details for the best possible results:
- The Art of Underbaking: This is arguably the most crucial tip for a truly gooey skillet cookie. Unlike traditional cookies baked on a sheet, the heavy cast-iron skillet retains an incredible amount of heat. When you remove it from the oven, that retained heat continues to cook the cookie. If you bake it until it looks fully done in the oven, it will likely become dry and crumbly once it cools slightly. Aim for edges that are golden brown and a center that looks set but still slightly soft and even a little jiggly. It might seem underdone, but trust the process for that perfect, molten middle.
- Choose Your Cookie Dough Wisely: The beauty of a skillet cookie is its flexibility.
- Homemade Dough: For the ultimate flavor and chewiness, homemade chocolate chip cookie dough is unmatched. It allows you to control the quality of ingredients and fine-tune the flavor profile. Our recipe provided is a fantastic starting point, designed for optimal skillet baking.
- Store-Bought Dough: Don’t underestimate the convenience and deliciousness of store-bought cookie dough. In my college days, pre-made tubes were a go-to for quick pizookies, and they work perfectly well! This is an excellent option for busy nights or when you need a dessert in a flash.
- Beyond Chocolate Chip: While chocolate chip is a classic for a reason, don’t be afraid to venture out. Imagine a peanut butter cookie skillet, an oatmeal raisin version, or even a decadent sugar cookie skillet topped with fruit. The possibilities are endless!
- Skillet Selection Matters: A cast-iron skillet is highly recommended for this recipe, and for good reason.
- Cast Iron Benefits: It conducts and retains heat exceptionally well, ensuring even baking and those coveted crispy edges that contrast beautifully with the gooey center. The rustic presentation is also a bonus.
- Alternative Bakeware: No cast iron? No problem! You can absolutely use a pie plate or a regular cake pan (a 9-inch round pan works great). While you might miss a bit of that cast-iron crispness, you’ll still get a wonderfully warm and gooey cookie. Just be sure to grease your pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. You can even use smaller ramekins or individual gratin dishes for single-serving pizookies.
- Size Considerations: A 9-inch skillet is ideal for sharing. For individual portions, 6-inch skillets or smaller oven-safe dishes are perfect. Adjust baking time slightly for smaller or larger dishes.
- Unleash Your Creativity with Toppings: This is where you can truly make your skillet cookie your own! Don’t limit yourself to just ice cream and hot fudge.
- Candy Crush: M&M’s, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (chopped), Snickers, Heath bar bits, chopped Oreos, gummy bears (for the adventurous!).
- Nutty Additions: Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or even candied nuts for extra crunch and flavor.
- Fruity Fun: Sliced bananas, fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), or a compote can add a refreshing counterpoint.
- Sauce Sensations: Beyond hot fudge and caramel, consider a raspberry sauce, white chocolate ganache, or a dulce de leche drizzle.
- Texture Boosters: Crushed pretzels for a salty crunch, granola for an earthy chew, or even mini chocolate chip cookies for double the cookie fun!
- Spice It Up: A sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of chili powder (if you like a little heat with your chocolate!) can add an unexpected depth.
- Serve Warm, Eat Fast: The magic of this dessert truly shines when it’s warm. The goal is to get it from the oven to the table and into eager hands as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about perfect plating; embrace the rustic, communal feel of digging in together!
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
The skillet cookie is unequivocally a dessert designed for immediate gratification. Its unparalleled charm lies in the warm, gooey cookie contrasting with melting ice cream, a sensory experience that’s best enjoyed straight from the oven. For this reason, it’s generally recommended to bake only as much as you anticipate consuming at the moment.
However, life happens, and sometimes you have leftover cookie dough or even a portion of a baked skillet cookie. Here’s how to handle it:
- Storing Unbaked Cookie Dough: This is your best make-ahead strategy!
- Refrigeration: If you’ve made a batch of homemade dough and don’t plan to use it all at once, or if you have leftover store-bought dough, you can store it in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. This allows you to bake fresh individual skillet cookies whenever a craving strikes.
- Freezing: For longer storage, cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before pressing into a skillet and baking as directed. You can also portion the dough into smaller balls before freezing, then simply press a frozen dough ball into a small ramekin and bake (adding a few extra minutes to the baking time).
- Storing Baked Skillet Cookie (Leftovers): While not ideal for the full “pizookie” experience, you can store leftover baked skillet cookie.
- At Room Temperature: Cover the skillet tightly with foil or transfer the cookie to an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. The cookie will lose its initial gooey texture and become firmer.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the baked cookie in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating Leftover Skillet Cookie: If you find yourself with leftover baked cookie (without toppings!), you can reheat it to restore some warmth.
- Oven/Toaster Oven: The best method for reheating. Place a slice of the cookie on a baking sheet and reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. This can help bring back a bit of crispness to the edges.
- Microwave: For a quicker reheat, microwave individual portions for 15-30 seconds until warm. Be aware that this method might make the cookie softer rather than crisp.
After reheating, you can still add fresh scoops of ice cream and toppings, though the texture might not be as perfectly gooey as a freshly baked one.
In essence, plan to enjoy your skillet cookie immediately for the ultimate indulgence, but know that you have options for preparing dough ahead of time or handling any rare leftovers!
More Must-Make Dessert Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting charm of the skillet cookie, you’re sure to enjoy these other delightful dessert recipes. Each offers its own unique spin on sweet indulgence, perfect for any occasion.
- Gooey Brownie Pie: A rich, fudgy brownie baked into a pie crust, offering a decadent treat.
- Skillet Brownie for Two: The perfect scaled-down version of a skillet dessert, ideal for a cozy date night or a small craving.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie: All the joy of a chocolate chip cookie, but in a sliceable pie form, great for gatherings.
- Cookies & Cream Cupcakes: Fluffy cupcakes studded with Oreo pieces and topped with a creamy frosting.
- Peanut Butter Cake: A moist and flavorful cake for peanut butter lovers, often paired with chocolate frosting.
Skillet Cookie
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars (light brown and granulated) until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, ensuring full incorporation after each addition. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
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Lightly grease your skillet(s). If using a full batch of homemade dough, it will yield enough for two 9-inch skillets, or you can use smaller individual skillets. Press the dough down into an even layer in the prepared skillet(s).
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Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and set, but the center still appears slightly soft and gooey (slightly underbaked). Remember, the residual heat from the skillet will continue to cook the cookie.
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Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Top immediately with your favorite ice cream and desired toppings, then serve warm with spoons!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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