Ultimate Gooey Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (Pizookie) Recipe with Ice Cream
Imagine a dessert that combines the best of a crispy-edged cookie with a soft, warm, and utterly gooey center, all served hot from a skillet and topped with a generous scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. This isn’t just any cookie; it’s the ultimate skillet chocolate chip cookie, often lovingly called a pizookie. Designed to be devoured in minutes, this deep-dish delight offers a truly unforgettable experience, making it the perfect treat for any occasion, from cozy family nights to lively gatherings.
Why This Skillet Cookie Recipe Is a Game-Changer
There’s something truly magical about a warm, fluffy skillet chocolate chip cookie. While traditional cookies baked on a sheet pan are delightful, making a chocolate chip cookie in a cast-iron skillet elevates the experience entirely. The cast iron pan’s exceptional heat retention and even distribution create a unique baking environment. It ensures that the cookie develops beautifully golden and irresistibly crispy edges, while the center remains wonderfully soft, tender, and intensely gooey. This deep-dish effect is precisely what sets a skillet cookie apart, delivering that rich, comforting texture that’s hard to achieve with standard baking methods.
You know those impressive deep-dish cookie desserts served at restaurants? Whether you call it a cookie sundae, a pizookie, or simply a giant warm cookie, this recipe brings that restaurant-quality indulgence right into your home. This homemade version is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also guarantees a show-stopping dessert that will impress everyone. Perfect for spontaneous cravings, birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, or just a treat to brighten your day, this cast iron cookie recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Pizookie
Crafting the perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie skillet starts with a selection of common baking ingredients, thoughtfully combined to create that signature chewy, gooey texture. Below, we’ll dive into the specifics, but for exact measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to check out the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
- Unsalted Butter: We use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the cookie. If you only have salted butter, you can reduce the added sea salt by half. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for optimal creaming with the sugars, which is crucial for a light and fluffy cookie dough.
- Granulated and Brown Sugar: The combination of these two sugars is essential. Granulated sugar provides crispness, while brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and that classic caramel-like flavor that makes chocolate chip cookies so irresistible. Make sure your brown sugar is packed when measuring.
- Eggs: Large eggs bind the ingredients and contribute to the cookie’s structure and richness. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar mixture.
- Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors. Don’t skip it!
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly for this recipe. Avoid overmixing once the flour is added to prevent a tough cookie.
- Sea Salt & Baking Soda: Sea salt balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate flavor, while baking soda provides the necessary lift and helps create that desirable soft, fluffy texture in the center.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: These are the stars of the show! Semi-sweet is classic, but feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a mix of different chocolate chips for varying levels of sweetness and intensity. You can also use chopped chocolate bars for pools of melted chocolate throughout the cookie.
While you can realistically adapt your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe for the skillet, the one provided here is specifically formulated to yield that perfect balance of fluffy, gooey, and soft textures, making it ideal for a deep-dish presentation.
Baking Your Perfect Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie: Step-by-Step
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 12-inch cast iron skillet and generously butter the bottom and sides. This prevents sticking and helps create those beautiful crispy edges. Set it aside.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter on high speed for 1-2 minutes. Continue until the butter lightens in color and achieves a smooth, creamy consistency. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Add both the granulated sugar and the packed light brown sugar to the creamed butter. Continue to beat on high speed for an additional 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Crack in the large eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat the mixture on high speed for several more minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air, resulting in a wonderfully light and aerated dough. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently during this process to ensure consistency.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sea salt, and baking soda. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet creamed ingredients. Mix on low speed, just until the dry ingredients are barely combined with the wet. Be careful not to overmix; overworking the dough can lead to a tough cookie.
- Finally, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand or mix on the lowest speed for just a few seconds until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. This prevents them from breaking up too much.
- Press the entire batch of cookie dough evenly into your prepared 12-inch cast iron skillet. Ensure it reaches the edges for that perfect deep-dish shape.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center of the cookie is set but still looks wonderfully soft and a little underdone (it will continue to cook as it cools).
- Remove the skillet from the oven and serve your warm cookie sundae immediately. The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the table!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Baking Tips
If you’re fortunate enough to have leftovers (it’s rare!), or if you plan to enjoy only half of this delicious deep-dish cookie in one sitting, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness. Once the skillet cookie has cooled completely, carefully remove it from the cast iron skillet. Place the cookie in an airtight container or a large Ziploc bag. Store it at room temperature for up to one week. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds for that warm, gooey texture.
Don’t panic! This is actually quite common and often desired for a truly gooey center. The cookie will continue to cook in the skillet after being removed from the oven, especially if you’re using a cast iron pan, which retains heat exceptionally well. This residual heat helps the center set without over-baking the edges. If, however, you genuinely believe your homemade chocolate chip cookie is too under-baked for your preference, feel free to place it back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes. For a truly well-done cookie, add 5 minutes to the initial baking time, but remember this might result in a slightly less gooey center.
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. For individual servings, simply divide the cookie dough among smaller cast iron skillets (e.g., 6-inch or 8-inch pans) or even oven-safe ramekins. Be sure to butter them well. The baking time will be significantly reduced, so keep a close eye on them – they might be ready in as little as 15-20 minutes. This is a fantastic way to serve personalized cookie sundaes, especially for parties!
While semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice and work wonderfully, feel free to get creative! For a richer flavor, try dark chocolate chips or chunks. If you prefer a sweeter cookie, milk chocolate chips are an excellent option. You could also use a combination of different chocolate types for a more complex flavor profile. High-quality chocolate will always yield better results, creating those irresistible pockets of melted goodness throughout your gooey chocolate chip cookie.
Serving Your Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (Pizookie)
Serving this magnificent skillet chocolate chip cookie is arguably the best part! The beauty of a pizookie is its communal nature. The easiest way to enjoy it is to simply grab a bunch of spoons and let everyone dig directly into the warm skillet. For a more refined presentation, you can carefully cut it into wedges for individual servings. But no matter how you slice it, the essential accompaniment is a generous, heaping scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, gooey cookie and the chilly, melting ice cream creates a truly divine dessert experience that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Creative Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Pizookie
While a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream is perfect, don’t hesitate to get creative with additional toppings to make your pizookie even more spectacular. Here are some fantastic ideas to take your dessert to the next level:
- Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a delightful savory contrast.
- Caramel Drizzle: A luscious swirl of warm caramel sauce pairs wonderfully with chocolate and cookie dough.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Double down on the chocolate with a drizzle of melted chocolate or hot fudge.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of fresh whipped cream adds lightness and elegance.
- Sprinkles: Fun, colorful sprinkles are perfect for birthdays or festive occasions.
- Crushed Pretzels: For a salty-sweet crunch that’s surprisingly addictive.
- Chopped Peanut Butter Cups: The ultimate combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
- Extra Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle some on top right after baking for extra melted chocolate goodness.
- Chopped Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a lovely texture and nutty flavor.
A fluffy deep-dish chocolate chip cookie skillet, baked to a beautiful golden brown and topped with a scoop of chilly ice cream and your favorite extras, holds a special place in my heart. Remember, the fun thing about this recipe is its adaptability. You can easily separate the cookie dough into smaller skillets for baking, serving individual warm cookie sundaes to kids or guests. Just be sure to monitor the baking time, as smaller portions will cook quicker. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Explore More Delicious Skillet Dessert Recipes
If you love the convenience and charm of skillet desserts as much as we do, you’re in for a treat! Cast iron skillets aren’t just for savory dishes; they are fantastic for creating a variety of warm, comforting sweet treats. Once you’ve mastered this amazing skillet chocolate chip cookie, be sure to explore these other delightful dessert recipes, all perfected for your favorite cast iron pan:
- S’mores Dip
- Single Serve Bananas Foster
- Brownies in a Cast Iron Skillet
- Peanut Butter Marbled Brownie Skillet
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake in a Cast Iron Skillet
- Chocolate Chip Caramel Skillet Cookie
Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (Pizookie)
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Things You’ll Need
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12 inch cast iron skillet
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Stand mixer
Before You Begin
- Increase the cook time by 5 minutes for a more well-done cookie skillet. The cookie will continue cooking in the skillet after being removed from the oven particularly if you cook it in a cast iron pan, which will hold the heat for quite a while even after coming out of the oven.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 12 inch cast iron skillet and set aside.
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Beat the butter on high for 1-2 minutes in the bowl of a standing mixer, until it has lightened in color and is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
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Add the granulated white sugar and brown sugar to the butter and beat 1-2 minutes longer.
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Add the eggs and vanilla extract and continue to beat on high speed for several more minutes. You want the mixture to be very light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl often during mixing.
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In a separate bowl, add the salt and baking soda to the flour and stir together.
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Add the flour mixture to the creamed ingredients and mix just until combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips or mix for just a few seconds until they are evenly distributed.
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Press the cookie dough into the prepared skillet.
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Bake for 30 minutes or until the center of the cookie is set. Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
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