Is there anything more comforting than a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie? Now, imagine that classic treat amplified – baked in a skillet for extra gooeyness and served with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. This Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe delivers the ultimate dessert experience, guaranteeing a soft, molten center and perfectly golden edges every single time. Get ready to dive into cookie heaven!
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
This isn’t just any chocolate chip cookie; it’s a skillet cookie that elevates the classic to something truly special. Here’s why you’ll adore it:
- Unbeatable Texture: We’re talking crispy edges and a perfectly gooey center that melts in your mouth.
- Easy to Share: Baked in a skillet, it’s the perfect dessert for sharing with friends and family.
- Quick and Simple: This recipe uses common ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a breeze to whip up.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the chocolate chips or add your favorite mix-ins for a personalized twist.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Warm, chocolatey, and served with ice cream – what’s not to love?
Gathering Your Ingredients for Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
Before you begin, let’s gather the ingredients that will bring this delightful skillet cookie to life. The combination of sugars, butter, and, of course, chocolate chips work together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. We’ll be using a mix of sugars to get the best of both worlds – depth of flavor and perfect chewiness. And don’t skimp on the chocolate chips; they’re the stars of the show!
- Unsalted Butter: We’ll need 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe, ensuring a balanced flavor. Softened butter is crucial for creaming properly with the sugars, creating a light and airy base for the cookie dough.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup of granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crispier edge to the cookie.
- Light Brown Sugar: 1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar is essential for the cookie’s soft, chewy texture and rich, molasses-like flavor. The moisture in brown sugar contributes to the gooey center we’re aiming for.
- Large Egg: One large egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and adding richness.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a warm and comforting aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookie. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can result in a tough cookie.
- Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda helps the cookie rise and creates a light, airy texture.
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: 1 cup of chocolate chips is the heart of this cookie! I recommend using a mix of milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips for a balanced flavor, but feel free to use your favorite kind. You can even throw in some chunks for a more decadent treat.
- Butter or Oil for Greasing: A tablespoon of butter or oil is needed to generously grease the skillet, preventing the cookie from sticking and ensuring easy removal.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: For serving, vanilla ice cream is the classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other flavors like chocolate, salted caramel, or even a scoop of our homemade tiramisu!
Crafting Your Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie: Step-by-Step
Ready to bake the ultimate skillet chocolate chip cookie? Follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey goodness in no time! The key to a perfectly gooey center lies in slightly underbaking the cookie, so pay close attention to the baking time.
- Preheat the oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This ensures even baking and consistent results.
- Grease the skillet: Generously grease a 6 or 8 inch cast iron skillet with butter or oil, making sure to coat the sides well. This is absolutely key for easy serving later. A well-greased skillet will prevent the cookie from sticking and allow you to easily scoop out portions.
- Cream together the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender cookie. Creaming incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter texture. Use an electric mixer for best results, and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even mixing.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. The egg helps bind the ingredients together, while the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, preventing pockets of saltiness or uneven rising.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cookie. Mix until the flour is just incorporated, and then stop.
- Fold in the chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press into skillet: Press the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared skillet. Don’t make it too thick on the edges, as they will bake faster than the center.
- Bake to perfection: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden brown, but the center still looks slightly soft and gooey. This slight underbaking in the center is the trick to keeping it molten when serving hot. Keep a close eye on the cookie during the last few minutes of baking to prevent it from overbaking.
- Cool slightly: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Let it cool for just a few minutes (about 5) before serving. This allows the cookie to set slightly, making it easier to scoop.
- Serve and enjoy: Top generously with scoops of vanilla ice cream right before diving in. The combination of warm cookie and cold ice cream is simply irresistible! For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle with some homemade chocolate sauce or sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Tips for Perfect Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie Every Time
Want to ensure your skillet cookie is a success every time? Here are a few pro tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cookie. Mix until the flour is just incorporated.
- Use softened butter: Softened butter creams more easily with the sugars, creating a light and airy base.
- Underbake slightly: This is the key to a gooey center. The cookie should be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the middle.
- Don’t skip the greasing: A well-greased skillet is essential for preventing the cookie from sticking.
- Experiment with mix-ins: Get creative with your mix-ins! Try adding chopped nuts, pretzels, or even caramel bits. You could also try adding different toppings like a drizzle of our dreamy chocolate drizzle.
What to Serve With Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
While vanilla ice cream is the classic pairing, there are plenty of other delicious ways to enjoy your skillet cookie. Consider:
- Whipped cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
- Fruit: Fresh berries or sliced bananas provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cookie.
- Chocolate sauce: Drizzle with your favorite chocolate sauce for an extra dose of chocolatey goodness.
- Caramel sauce: A drizzle of caramel sauce adds a sweet and salty flavor.
- Espresso: Pair with a strong cup of espresso for a decadent dessert experience.
Your Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I use a different size skillet?
Yes, you can use a different size skillet, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller skillet will require a longer baking time, while a larger skillet will require a shorter baking time. Keep a close eye on the cookie to prevent it from overbaking.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum, which helps bind the ingredients together. You might enjoy our oatmeal raisin cookies as a naturally gluten-free alternative.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply press the dough into the skillet and bake as directed. You can also bake the cookie ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover skillet cookie can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving, if desired.
Enjoy Your Homemade Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie!
There you have it – a guaranteed recipe for the perfect skillet chocolate chip cookie with a gooey center. This dessert is sure to be a hit with friends and family, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving a comforting treat. So, grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how your skillet cookie turned out. Happy baking!
