Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

This Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie is ooey gooey and a copycat recipe of that restaurant skillet cookie you always love to order for the table. Topped with vanilla ice cream, every bite is fully of melty goodness that’s easy to make at home in about 30 minutes!

I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who isn’t a fan of a skillet cookie. We always love to order them out when we see them at the table, both my kids and husband love the sweet and chocolatey flavors. Recently, I wanted to make my own at home for a birthday party and it was a huge hit! Now this Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie will definitely be on the top of the dessert recipe list in our home.

The base of the cookie dough is similar to a regular chocolate chip cookie, but I like to use salted butter and dark brown sugar for extra richness. I’ve used all sorts of chocolate, as well as both chips and chopped, and can attest that any combination will yield a delicious bite! If you love a cookie recipe, be sure to try my Strawberry Shortcake Cookies and Cake Mix Cookie Bars.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• A great cookie recipe that’s shareable. The best part of a skillet cookie is that it’s easy to share with all of your friends and family.
• Quick to make with pantry ingredients. Nothing fancy involved here, but I promise it has all the restaurant-quality dessert flavors you love.
• Easy to customize with all sorts of mix-ins. While I’m a fan of the classic, there are endless options of how to make this your own.

ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

• Salted butter: If you use unsalted, add an extra pinch of salt to the recipe.
• Dark brown sugar: Using dark brown gives extra chewy texture and rich molasses flavor. You can also use light brown sugar too if that is what you already have on-hand.
• Granulated sugar: Gives the structure and texture to the cookie.
• Large egg: Binds the cookie dough together.
• Milk: Adds a little bit of richness and keeps the dough moist.
• Vanilla extract or paste: Either work here for that classic vanilla dough base flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Structure for the cookie
• Salt: Seasons the flour.
• Baking soda: Tenderizes the dough.
• Baking powder: Helps the dough to be tender.
• Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars: I love chips or chopped chocolate or a mixture of both.
• Flaky sea salt: A sprinkle on top heightens the flavors.
• Topping options: I love to serve this with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or sprinkles!

Tools You’ll Need

• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Spatula
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls
• 9″ Cast Iron Skillet or 2 Quart Baking Dish 

how to make chocolate chip skillet cookie

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place a 9 or 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Melt, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat.
3. Once the butter has cooled, in a medium bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat with a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and glossy.

4. Stir in the egg, milk, and vanilla until fully combined.

5. Sprinkle the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder evenly over the mixture. Gently mix everything together in the skillet until a soft dough forms (don’t overmix).

6. Fold in the chocolate chips and/or chopped chocolate until evenly distributed.

7. Press the dough into the cooled cast iron skillet used to brown the butter in an even layer. Bake 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is mostly set (it will continue to cook slightly as it cools).

8. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top while warm. Add additional chocolate on top while still warm, if desired.
9. Cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving with desired toppings.

expert tips

• Use a cast iron skillet for this cookie. It gets hotter in the oven than a classic baking dish, giving the cookie a crust-like outside and a gooey inside.
• Keep a close eye on the skillet when melting the butter. It can easily burn once it begins to smell nutty, so the moment you see it turn light golen brown, remove from the heat and pour into a bowl.
• Don’t over-mix the cookie dough. This will result in a dense cookie, you want to fold the dry ingredients in until just combined.
• You will know when the cookie is done when the edges are golden brown and set and the inside is still gooey.
• Allow the cookie to cool for 10 minutes before enjoying warm. You need the center to set and not be crazy hot before enjoying.

variations

When it comes to mix-ins for the cookie dough, there are so many fun combinations! Here are the ones I’ve tried:

• Chopped nuts, pecans, walnuts, or almonds
• M&Ms
• Sweetened coconut
• Crushed pretzel pieces
• Butterscotch or white chocolate chips

storage

Store any leftover skillet cookie in an airtight container on the counter. I recommend cooling the cookie and removing it from the pan before storing. It will keep well for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze the leftovers too, in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight on the counter before serving. Reheat in the microwave or oven for a few minutes until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

more Delicious Dessert Recipes

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• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• Lemon Coconut Cake
• Gooey Butter Cookies