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This Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie is warm and gooey cookie heaven! Also known as a Pizookie or a cookie sundae, this dessert is freshly made cookie dough placed directly into a cast iron skillet pan, baked and served warm (ideally with ice cream on top!) for the dreamiest of molten in the middle desserts. You don't have to worry about your cookie spreading, or becoming too thin, when you cook it in a skillet. You are guaranteed a gooey centre with a skillet cookie! Bonus - they're so quick and easy to make too!

Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you start baking.
I highly recommend using light brown soft sugar, as it gives the skillet cookie wonderful flavour. If you can't get hold of it, you can use regular caster sugar, or even golden caster sugar would be good.
This skillet cookie is best made with plain flour (all purpose flour) and the added raising agents mentioned in the recipe. I wouldn't advise using self raising flour.
I used milk chocolate chips for this recipe, but you can use dark or white, or even a combination of two or three types.
If you don't have any chocolate chips, you can chop up a bar of chocolate instead.
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales*. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons* and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the butter, light brown soft sugar and caster sugar together for 3 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix in. Then add the flour, salt and baking powder and mix until just combined. Finally add the chocolate chips and mix briefly to distribute them evenly.

Grease a 26cm skillet pan with butter, then press the cookie into it with your hands. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until it is lightly golden on top. Cool for 10 minutes so you don't burn your mouth, then serve warm, ideally with ice cream!

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

What is a skillet pan?

A skillet pan is very similar to a frying pan. It's usually made of cast iron, but can be enamel too. The main difference is that a skillet pan is one piece of metal, rather then a frying pan which usually has a handle that's been attached to the pan section. This makes cast iron skillets suitable for putting in the oven, whereas frying pans aren't always oven suitable due to plastic handles. This also means that when cooking on the hob, a cast iron skillet handle gets hot! Cast iron skillets do not have a non-stick coating, so you don't have to worry about it degrading over time. You do however have to cure cast iron skillets, they are not dishwasher suitable and you should avoid using washing up liquid when cleaning them.

What size skillet do you need for this recipe?

This recipe is for a 26cm cast iron skillet pan, which is a very standard size. If you have a 23cm skillet - check the recipe notes at the bottom of the page for a conversion!

Can you make this recipe without a skillet pan?

Yes! Instead of a cast iron skillet pan, you could also use a enamel skillet pan or a standard frying pan (make sure it doesn't have a plastic handle as it's got to go in the oven!) or use a cake tin. Just make sure they're the same or similar size so the cookie comes out the right thickness and gooeyness.

Do you need an electric mixer to make this recipe?

For this recipe I would advise using an electric mixer if you can, as you will get better results. A mixer fitted with a paddle attachment is great for creaming the butter and sugar together, and making it really fluffy and smooth.

Can you make this recipe in advance?

Yes! You can make the cookie dough in advance and put it in the fridge. Place it into an airtight container or a covered bowl, and store in the fridge for 2 days. Then when you're ready to bake, bring it back to room temperature, add it to the skillet and bake! You can also bake the skillet cookie, let it cool completely, and store covered and at room temperature for up to 3 days.

How long does the skillet cookie last and can it be frozen?

This skillet cookie is at it's best when it's fresh, but you can store it after it's been baked for up to 3 days. Keep it covered, or transfer it to an airtight container, and store in a cool place or pop in the freezer for up to three months. You can also freeze the cookie dough, wrap it well in cling film and freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to bake, defrost it fully (ideally overnight) then press into the skillet and bake.

How many people does this recipe serve?

A 26cm skillet cookie will serve between 6 - 8 people (depending on hunger levels!)

Can this recipe be made gluten free?

To make this recipe gluten free, replace the plain flour with a gluten free plain flour blend. You may also like to add ¼ tsp xanthan gum for better texture. Please do check the labels of everything you use if you are serving to anyone with an allergy or intolerance.

Can this recipe be made dairy free?

Yes! Replace the butter with a dairy free option, I recommend a block type like Flora Plant or the Stork baking block. You will also need to use dairy free chocolate chips. Please do check the labels of everything you use if you are serving to anyone with an allergy or intolerance.

What can you serve with a skillet cookie?

Ice cream (ideally a good quality vanilla one)
Whipped cream (I'd recommend adding this to each person's individual plate rather than putting it on top of the skillet cookie, as it will just melt everywhere!)
Caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce
Creme fraiche or natural yoghurt

More tips for making the Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie:

Once the flour is added, don't over mix the dough. You want to only mix it until you can't see anymore flour, then stop
You can add other mix ins to the skillet cookie if you like, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit or other chocolates like M&Ms.
This dessert is brilliant for a dinner party or special family meal. Bring it out warm, put it in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in!

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you. You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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