Description
This Valentine’s Day Skillet Cookie is a warm, gooey treat perfect for sharing. Loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and festive M&Ms, it's baked in a cast iron skillet to achieve a crispy edge and soft center. Ideal for a cozy dessert or special occasion, this cookie serves 12 and combines classic flavors with a fun holiday twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 12 oz mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 package holiday M&Ms or Peanut Butter M&Ms, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet generously with butter to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar using a fork or hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the unbleached flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookie tender.
- Mix in Chocolate and M&Ms: Fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and half of the holiday or peanut butter M&Ms, saving the rest for topping after baking.
- Press Dough into Skillet: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared cast iron skillet, smoothing the surface with a spatula or your hands.
- Initial Bake: Bake the cookie in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the edges to set and start to brown.
- Add Topping M&Ms: Remove the skillet from the oven, evenly sprinkle the remaining M&Ms on top, and gently press them into the cookie dough to adhere.
- Finish Baking: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes or until the center is set but still soft, with edges slightly browned but not burnt.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the cookie cool in the skillet for 30 to 45 minutes to fully set the center. Serve warm as is or with a scoop of ice cream for a gooey, indulgent dessert.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is fully softened to make creaming easier and to achieve a smooth dough.
- Use a 12-inch cast iron skillet for even baking and a perfect cookie size for sharing.
- You can substitute holiday M&Ms with any colorful candy or plain chocolate chips if preferred.
- Do not overbake; the cookie should have a slightly soft center to maintain a gooey texture when cooled.
- Allowing the cookie to cool properly in the skillet helps the center to set and makes slicing easier.
- For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cookie)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
