The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie is a warm, gooey dessert baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet.
Forget the baking trays! This recipe is another easy dessert that's perfect for sharing straight from the pan, I’ll walk you through each step so you can bake it at home with confidence.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2015 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Cook/Bake: 25 min | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 8
Main Ingredients: butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, chocolate chips.
Why You’ll Love It: Bakes up soft and gooey in the center with crisp edges, all in one pan for easy cleanup.
Best For: Family desserts, casual gatherings, or a warm treat served straight from the skillet.
Equipment: Use a 12-inch cast iron skillet for a thinner cookie; a 10-inch skillet works too and will create a thicker cookie that may need a few extra minutes to bake.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why I Love Serving This Skillet Cookie Recipe
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitutions & Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- How Long to Cook a Cookie Skillet
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage & Serving Tips
- More Cast Iron Skillet Desserts You'll Love!
- Recipe FAQ's
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Finally, a Meal Planner That Keeps Up With Your Life
- 💬 Comments
Why I Love Serving This Skillet Cookie Recipe
- Serving this dessert straight from the pan feels warm and fun, with crisp edges and a gooey center that’s perfect with ice cream.
- Every time I make it, family and friends treat it like a gourmet dessert, even though it’s really just a jumbo chocolate chip cookie cake.
- If you love this recipe, be sure to try my Jumbo Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies next!
Ingredients You'll Need
Below is a quick preview of the ingredients you’ll need. For exact amounts, check the recipe card below. You can also use the "Shopping List button" to create a printable shopping list, or the "Get Ingredients button" in the recipe card to order groceries online.
Substitutions & Variations
Chocolate Lovers: Use a mix of dark and semi-sweet chips for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
Mix-ins: Swap some of the chocolate chips for white chocolate, peanut butter chips, toffee bits, or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
Flavor Boost: Stir in a teaspoon of espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor or add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking.
Different Pan Sizes: You can bake the dough in smaller cast iron skillets to create individual desserts.
Looking for more Easy Cookie Recipes? Try my Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies or my M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, then gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 2: Coat the entire surface of the cast iron skillet with about one tablespoon of softened butter. Press the dough into the skillet using either a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
How Long to Cook a Cookie Skillet
Step 3: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and it's golden and set. Remove from the oven.
Step 4: Use a sharp knife to serve, then top each slice with either homemade whipped cream or homemade vanilla ice cream.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use room temperature butter and eggs to help the dough mix evenly and create a soft, chewy texture.
❌ DO NOT overbake the cookie. Remove it when the center is still slightly soft for that perfect gooey middle.
Storage & Serving Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers covered in the skillet or an airtight container for up to 3 days; warm slices before serving for the best texture.
Freezer: Wrap individual wedges tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature or reheat briefly in the oven.
Serving Tips: Serve warm straight from the skillet with scoops of ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra treat.ChatGPT said:
If you’re baking this recipe in a smaller skillet and want to save the extra dough, check out my post on How to Freeze Cookie Dough for easy make-ahead tips.
More Cast Iron Skillet Desserts You'll Love!
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
You’ll know the skillet cookie is done when the edges are golden and set, but the center still looks slightly soft and underbaked. It will continue to cook in the hot skillet as it cools, giving you crisp edges and a gooey center. A toothpick inserted near the edge should come out clean, while the center may have a few moist crumbs.
Yes, you can use a nonstick or glass baking dish, but the texture will be a bit different. Cast iron gives crisp edges and retains heat well, while glass or nonstick pans may result in a softer, less caramelized crust. If using glass, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F and keep a close eye on the baking time.
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
❤️Tap the heart icon in the lower right corner to add the recipe to your recipe box for easy access anytime.
If you made it, leaving a star rating or quick review is always appreciated and helps other readers too.
Want to save this printed recipe? The Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder helps you keep recipes organized in one easy place.
🗒️Shopping List
Click the button below to instantly create a shopping list for this recipe.
📖 Recipe Card
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Method
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Gradually beat in flour mixture.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Press the dough into the skillet that's been lightly coated with about one tablespoon softened butter.
- Bake in a 350°F preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are crisp and the cookie is golden and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and eggs so the dough mixes smoothly and bakes evenly.
- Grease the skillet well with butter to help the cookie release easily and create crisp edges.
- For the best texture, remove the cookie from the oven when the center is still slightly soft—it will continue to set as it cools.
- Use a 12-inch cast iron skillet for a thinner cookie; a 10-inch skillet works too and will create a thicker cookie that may need a few extra minutes to bake.
- Serve with a scoop of Homemade Ice Cream or Homemade Whipped Cream.
- Store leftovers covered in the skillet or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze individual wedges tightly wrapped for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature or reheat briefly in the oven.
- Prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Finally, a Meal Planner That Keeps Up With Your Life
Want a better way to keep track of your family’s favorite meals? Grab my Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder—perfect for organizing go-to recipes, planning weekly dinners, and making mealtime feel a little less chaotic.
Lorraine F says
What size cast iron skillet should you use for this cookie?
Lois says
Great question! I actually use a 12-inch cast iron skillet for this recipe, which gives you a slightly thinner cookie. If you use a 10-inch skillet, the cookie will be thicker and may need a few extra minutes to bake through.
You can also use smaller skillets to make individual cookies, which is a fun option too.
Hope that helps, and I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
Karins Kottage says
Scrumptious!! I love cooking with my cast iron skillet everything always turns out perfect! I haven't tried making a cookie in it...so this sounds perfect! Please come and link up to my Linky Party- Centerpiece Wednesday on my blog and share your post with us. The party starts at tonight! 🙂 Hope to see you over there.
Karin
Lois says
Thanks Karin!!! I'll join this week.
Julie says
Ooo yum, this looks great. Pinning.
I imagine one of these would make a fun little gift for someone who has everything.
Lois says
You could give someone a skillet and add the dry ingredients for the cookies in a cute mason jar too! That's a GREAT idea!!! Thanks for visiting Julie!
Kim~madeinaday says
What a fluffy cookie! Yum! I have a skillet and have not made anything in it yet! Cookies sound like a great ise. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Lois says
Thank you Kim! Your party is always a favorite!
Debra Clark says
Hey! I got two little iron skillets at a garage sale - my hubby will love this! :D. Pinned & tweeted to pass the word - thanks for sharing with us at #TryabiteTuesday! Link up a few more if you like we'll be open & sharing until after the New Year!
Amanda Kolb says
I saw those too but passed them up. Now I'm kicking myself! Oh well, guess I'll just make a full sized skillet cookie 😉 Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Lee MacArthur says
This is great. I don't always want to mess with cookie sheets. Thank you for sharing.
Joanne DiPalo says
This is terrific. I've been thinking about making a skillet dessert for some time. Now you have inspired me to make this. Pinning/sharing.
Sunny Simple Life says
Oh my gosh I have to make this for my hubby. That looks amazing and I am pinning it right now.