Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Why this recipe works
- Crisp edges, soft centre: The warm skillet encourages the edges to set and brown while the centre stays tender when baked just until puffed.
- Balanced sweetness: Light brown sugar brings gentle caramel depth, while dark chocolate and fine sea salt keep the sweetness from feeling flat.
- Simple shaping: There is no rolling, chilling or portioning; the dough is mixed, pressed into the pan and baked.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve after a short rest: Let the cookie stand for 8 to 10 minutes before serving so the centre firms slightly while the chocolate stays molten.
- Mostly hands-off time: The active work is mainly mixing and pressing the dough into the skillet; baking and resting make up most of the total time.
Texture tips
- Keep the crumb tender: Fold the flour in only until no dry patches remain; overmixing makes the cookie more cakey than soft and chewy.
- Pull it before the centre looks fully set: The centre should still look soft and puffed when it comes out of the oven, as the residual heat will continue to firm it in the pan.
- Use the warm skillet: Preheating the cast-iron pan helps create a deeper golden edge and a more distinct crust.
Ingredient notes
- Choose chocolate to match the sweetness: Dark chocolate chips give a more balanced finish, while milk chocolate makes the cookie sweeter and softer.
- For deeper caramel flavour: Dark brown sugar can be used in place of light brown sugar if you prefer a richer, more molasses-led note.
- Use a room-temperature egg: A room-temperature egg blends more smoothly into the butter and sugar, helping the dough come together evenly.
Make-ahead tips
- Freeze cooled slices: Cool the cookie completely, slice it, then wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat for the best texture: Warm slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven until heated through to bring back the soft centre and melted chocolate.
- Best warm from the pan: For the strongest contrast between crisp edges and a soft middle, serve it on the day it is baked.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (355°F). Put a 23 cm cast-iron frying pan in the oven for 5 minutes, then carefully remove it and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the unsalted butter with the light brown sugar and caster sugar until smooth and slightly lighter. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract until glossy.
- Add the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda and fine sea salt, then fold just until no dry flour remains. Fold in most of the dark chocolate chips, reserving a small handful to scatter on top.
- Scrape the dough into the warm pan and press it into an even layer. Scatter over the reserved dark chocolate chips.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are set and deep golden, and the centre is puffed but still soft. If you like a softer centre, pull it at the earlier end of the range.
- Leave to cool in the pan for 8 to 10 minutes so it firms up slightly. Serve warm straight from the pan.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the best texture, stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears; overmixing makes the cookie cakier.
- If your pan is smaller than 23 cm, the cookie will be thicker and may need a few extra minutes; bake until the edges are set and the centre is just soft.
- If serving to young children, let it cool a little longer so the melted dark chocolate chips are not too hot.
Substitutions
- Replace Vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a more intense vanilla flavour.
- Replace Dark chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, softer finish.
- Replace Light brown sugar with dark-brown-sugar for a deeper caramel flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cool completely, then cover and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 5 to 8 minutes until warmed through, or microwave briefly for a softer centre. Freeze cooled slices well wrapped for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature, then warm in the oven.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 8 servings
- Total time: 40min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Gingerbread Cookies with Treacle and Warm Spices
Treacle gingerbread cookies with warm spices and crisp edges
Biscotti di Prato (Twice-Baked Almond Biscuits)
Twice-baked almond biscuits with orange zest
Ghriba (Moroccan Crackled Almond Biscuits)
Crackled almond biscuits flavoured with orange blossom water
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Air fryer oatmeal cookies with a chewy centre and crisp edges.
Galette Bretonne (Breton Butter Biscuits)
Breton butter biscuits with crisp edges and a tender centre
Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Star Biscuits with Almonds)
Almond and cinnamon star biscuits topped with sweet meringue glaze
Air Fryer Blueberry Pie
Air fryer blueberry pie with lemon and cornflour-thickened filling.
Budino di Riso (Tuscan Rice Pudding Tart)
Tuscan rice pudding tart baked in shortcrust pastry
Scottish Shortbread
Buttery Scottish shortbread baked until pale gold
Kirschmichel (German Cherry Bread Pudding)
German baked bread pudding with cherries and vanilla custard
Rijstepap met Kaneel (Dutch Rice Pudding with Cinnamon)
Creamy Dutch rice pudding served warm with cinnamon
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Vegan chocolate mousse blended with avocado, cocoa and maple syrup
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Air fryer peanut butter cookies with tender centres and set edges.
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Air fryer oatmeal cookies with a chewy centre and crisp edges.
Air Fryer Chocolate Brownie Bites
Fudgy air fryer brownie bites with cocoa and dark chocolate.
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Butter Dough
Buttery vanilla sugar cookies cut into festive shapes
Nieuwjaarsrolletjes (Dutch New Year’s Wafer Rolls)
Crisp Dutch wafer rolls flavoured with butter and vanilla
Nisse Cookies (Nordic Holiday Biscuits with Vanilla and Cardamom)
Crisp Nordic biscuits with vanilla and cardamom
You might also like
Air Fryer Thai Shrimp
Air-fried Thai shrimp with fish sauce, lime, and garlic.
Enfrijoladas (Corn Tortillas in Black Bean Sauce)
Corn tortillas dipped in black bean sauce with queso fresco
Crema Catalana all’Italiana (Baked Vanilla Custard with Caramel)
Chilled baked vanilla custard with a crisp caramel crust
Air Fryer Keto Chicken Thighs
Keto air-fried chicken thighs with lemon butter and broccoli.
Fideuà de Verduras (Spanish Vegetable Noodle Paella)
Spanish vegetable fideuà with saffron noodles and tender vegetables
Air Fryer Crispy Baby Potatoes
Crispy air-fried baby potatoes with garlic and rosemary.
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
