Edit: Right now Lodge is offering 50% off their skillets, cookware, etc. Click Here To Take Advantage Of The Deal

Skillet Cookie Overview

A skillet cookie, often featuring chocolate chips, is a popular dessert designed to be baked and served in a skillet, typically made from cast iron. The cast-iron skillet is favored for its excellent heat retention and distribution, creating a dessert that’s perfectly cooked from the edge to the center.

To begin, one should preheat the oven—usually to a temperature around 350°F (177°C)—ensuring that the skillet is properly warmed for even cooking. The ingredients for a skillet cookie closely mirror those of traditional chocolate chip cookie recipes. A basic recipe would often include:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Chocolate chips

Firstly, dry ingredients are whisked together. In a separate bowl, creamed butter and sugars form the base to which eggs and vanilla extract are added. The dry and wet mixtures are combined with chocolate chips to complete the cookie dough.

The dough is then pressed into an oven-safe skillet, either lightly greased or lined with parchment paper, depending on the recipe. It is essential that the skillet chosen is oven-safe, as makeshift alternatives could be hazardous under high heat.

Skillet cookies can vary in size, from personal-sized portions baked in a small cast iron pan to larger versions meant for sharing. Skillet cookie recipes offer versatility, with countless possible flavor additions and mix-ins—ranging from nuts and candy pieces to alternative flavors like peanut butter.

The final product offers a unique experience—a warm, gooey center with a delightful crisp edge. It can be directly served from the skillet, adding to its rustic charm and appeal.

Required Ingredients

Crafting a perfect skillet cookie requires a precise balance of ingredients, separated into dry and wet categories and personalized with a choice of add-ins. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the texture and flavor profile of this classic dessert.

Dry Ingredients

For the base of the cookie, one will need the following dry ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour for structure
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda to help the cookie rise
• A pinch of kosher salt for flavor enhancement

Wet Ingredients

The wet ingredients are essential for achieving the right consistency and richness:

• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened, which adds moisture and fat
• 1 1/2 cups of light brown sugar, packed, for a sweet and molasses-like flavor
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar for sweetness and texture
• 2 large eggs for binding the mixture together
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for a fragrant flavor depth

Add-ins

These ingredients give the cookie its distinctive taste and texture:

• A generous cup of semisweet chocolate chips or chunks for that classic chocolate chip cookie experience
• Optional: a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted, for a nutty crunch

Baking Process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKwZD4Ytb9A&embed=true

Crafting the perfect skillet cookie involves careful preparation and baking to achieve that desirable golden brown crust and soft center.

Mixing Ingredients

The journey to a warm, inviting skillet cookie begins with combining the right ingredients. A stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment makes quick work of creaming butter and sugars together, creating a light and fluffy base. All-purpose flour is then gradually mixed in, ensuring the dry ingredients are fully incorporated without overmixing. For those without a stand mixer, a robust wooden spoon or electric mixer will suffice. To personalize the cookie, a variety of mix-ins, from chocolate chips to nuts, can be folded into the batter with a gentle hand.

Baking the Cookie

After the mix has been prepared, it’s transferred into a buttered cast iron skillet, pressed evenly along the bottom. Baking the cookie in a preheated oven is the next step, with the temperature and time meticulously adjusted to ensure the edges turn a golden brown and the center remains barely cooked, giving it that gooey texture skillet cookies are celebrated for. Different ovens may have slight variances in heat, so keeping an eye on the cookie after the initial recommended baking time is crucial. Once done, the skillet cookie should be allowed to cool for a short period, which allows it to set, before serving.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to skillet cookies, the serving options enhance the experience of this crowd-pleasing dessert. A warm skillet cookie offers a delicious canvas for a range of toppings that complement its gooey center and crisp edges.

The classic choice is vanilla ice cream, which melts slightly when served atop the fresh-from-the-oven cookie, creating a delightful contrast of warm and cold. A scoop, or even two, should suffice to balance out the sweetness of the cookie.

For those who enjoy a touch of elegance, a dollop of whipped cream adds a light, airy texture. Here’s a list of additional toppings to consider:

• Caramel sauce – A drizzle brings a buttery richness.
• Sea salt or flaky sea salt – A sprinkle elevates the flavors, especially if there’s caramel involved, and cuts through the sweetness.

One can’t discount the visual appeal of these toppings — vanilla ice cream pooling in the crevices, the caramel sauce cascading down the sides, and the sea salt catching the light.

Remember, when serving, it’s best to do so while the cookie is still warm from the oven, as this ensures that the toppings will interact with the cookie as intended, with ice creams melting slightly and sauces seeping into the top layer.

For those who prefer simplicity, the skillet cookie is also delightful on its own, with its variety of textures from the crispy edges to the soft center. Each bite is a testament to the skillful baking of this beloved treat.

Whether one is aiming for indulgence or subtlety, these serving suggestions are sure to make any skillet cookie a memorable dessert.

Storage and Leftovers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bCYCcSdRGg&embed=true

When it comes to preserving the freshness of a skillet cookie, proper storage is key. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. They can be kept at room temperature for a few days without losing their quality.

Storing Leftovers:

• Let the skillet cookie cool completely before storing.
• Cut into portions if desired for easier serving later.
• Place the cookie pieces in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

If one prefers their skillet cookie to be warm, they can reheat individual portions. A quick and efficient way to do this is by using the microwave. However, to maintain the quality, reheating should be done carefully:

1. Place a single cookie piece on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Heat in short intervals of 10-15 seconds to avoid overheating.
3. Check the warmth after each interval and stop once it’s just heated through.

Tips for Longer Storage:
For those who want to extend the enjoyment of their skillet cookie, freezing is also an option. Here, too, an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag will be the best choice for storage. Thaw overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator before reheating gently to avoid any loss in texture or flavor.

Nutritional Information

When indulging in a skillet cookie, it is beneficial to understand its nutritional content. A typical skillet chocolate chip cookie made from a traditional recipe includes a variety of nutrients. Here’s a concise breakdown:

• Calories: The calorie count for a single serving can vary greatly, but one can expect it to be approximately 200-300 calories, depending on the ingredients and serving size.
• Protein: Each serving may contain about 3-5 grams of protein.
• Fat: Total fat content might be around 10-15 grams, with saturated fat constituting about half of this amount.

Ingredients also contribute trace amounts of cholesterol, sodium, fiber, and potassium.

In terms of vitamins and minerals, a skillet cookie provides some calcium and vitamin A, though these amounts may not be significant unless fortified ingredients are used.

For a more detailed nutritional analysis, one could look at the specific components of the recipe. For example, using whole wheat flour can increase the fiber content, while opting for dark chocolate over milk chocolate chips could offer more antioxidants.

The following is a simple breakdown of the key nutritional components found in a skillet cookie:

Macronutrients:

• Fats:
  • Total fat: 10-15g
  • Saturated fat: 5-7g
• Carbohydrates:
  • Fiber: 1-3g
• Protein: 3-5g

Micronutrients:

• Minerals:
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
• Vitamins:
  • Vitamin A

It’s crucial to consider portion sizes and frequency of consumption, as these aspects heavily influence one’s overall dietary intake. A skillet cookie can fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.