Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie

This cast iron chocolate chip cookie recipe is simply the BEST.  It has a unique ingredient that takes the cookie to the next level. Added bonus: it's simple and fast—done in just about an hour.

My family loves these cast iron chocolate chip cookie bars. There is something magical about the skillet cookie format over traditional cookies.

Is it the thickness . . .
the crisp edges . . .
the soft chewy center?
Yes, YES, and YES!

Looking for another snack this is a bit more healthy but still delicious?Check out my Homemade Kettle Corn. We make this weekly!

As an added bonus, this cookie is easy to make. Simply make the dough, spread it on a cast iron skillet, then bake.

No more dolloping out cookie dough balls on various baking trays, rotating, etc.  

These are so easy, my husband has even taken over making them . . . just about every weekend!

I was inspired to work out this recipe while watching an episode of America’s Test Kitchen. P.S., I love that show. 

On the show, they used a unique ingredient that I hadn’t seen in a cookie recipe before.  

That ingredient is: brown butter.  Yes, you read that right.  

Did you know that it's simply stirring melted butter for 5-ish minutes in a heated pan? How easy is that?

The butter will turn a deep golden brown and begin to emit a glorious, nutty aroma. This flavor lends itself perfectly to this cookie.

I am not trying to oversell this. It just makes these bars better.

These skillet chocolate chip cookie bars only take about 45 minutes to prep and bake, then another 15 minutes to rest. 

(Why do I keep saying "bars"? See photo below: we always cut our skillet cookies into bars. But you can do pizza-style slices, or whatever floats your boat.)

Follow the no-fail steps I outline and be ready to save this recipe: it will become a family favorite!

Ingredients for skillet chocolate chip cookies

This recipe uses staple pantry items that are readily available in most homes.

• Butter
• AP Flour
• Brown Sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla
• eggs
• Chocolate Chips
• Nuts (optional)

Simple!  I bet you could make these today, couldn’t you?

How to make cast iron chocolate chip cookie

First, make the brown butter

Melt and stir the butter in a cast-iron skillet for 5-7 minutes.  Stir constantly until you get a deep golden brown color. 

IMPORTANT:  Make sure you stir the butter this whole time. The milk solids separate during this process and can easily burn if not constantly moved around. 

Next, add brown butter to chilled butter

Add the brown butter to a large bowl with three tablespoon of chilled butter in it. 

Mix until the chilled butter is fully melted. (If you're using a stand mixer, put the chilled butter in bowl of the stand mixer in lieu of a large mixing bowl)

IMPORTANT:  Chilled butter is critical. It cools down the hot brown butter. Eggs will be added in the next step: if you add them to hot butter, you get scrambled eggs. YUCK!

Add the eggs, sugars, salt and vanilla to the butter mixture

Mix the eggs, sugars, salt and vanilla thoroughly and vigorously in the butter mixture for 30 seconds and let it rest for a full 3 minutes.  Then repeat this mix-and-rest process two more times.

IMPORTANT:  Wait the full 3 minutes after each of the three vigorous 30 second mixing stages.  This rest period allows the sugars to fully dissolve and become creamy.  This eliminates any concerns that your bars will be “gritty” from undissolved sugar.

Now add the dry ingredients

Mix the flour and baking soda into the sugar butter mixture. Stir until no more flour pockets are remaining.

Use the spoon and level method when measuring your flour.

Add the chocolate chips (and nuts if desired)

Mix in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if you're adding them) until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.

Press cookie dough into cast iron skillet and bake

Add the cookie dough to the skillet and press to an even thickness throughout. I find that the underside of a spatula works perfectly for this. Then, put skillet into a 375º F oven for about 20 minutes until golden-brown.  Rest, then serve.

Other ingredient ideas

Rather than using chocolate chips, you can get creative and use other ingredients.

Our family favorite is substituting M&Ms for the chocolate chips. Very colorful and tastes awesome.

Serving Suggestions

It’s hard to go wrong here.  Simply cut the chocolate chip bars into reasonable sizes, then sit back and watch your guests (or kids) enjoy them.  

Other creative ideas include:

• Adding ice cream or whipped cream. 
• Drizzling warm hot fudge and/or caramel over the top.  
• Adding frosting or icing.  

As if these aren't rich enough already, but...YUM

Can you freeze chocolate chip cookie dough?

Cookie dough is good for up to 2 days in the fridge, but you can freeze it for up to 3 months.  

Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it into a freezer bag.

We do this all the time: we now make triple batches of this recipe and freeze what we don’t use. 

Other party favorites

• Monster Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Deviled Eggs with Relish
• Homemade Kettle Corn & Movie Theater Popcorn
• Perfect Loaded Nachos
• Michelle's Sweet & Zingy Asian Meatballs

That's it! This is a great recipe to make on the weekend. Get the kids involved!

I hope this cast iron chocolate chip cookie recipe is a big hit with your family.

Stay safe. Stay well.

—xoxo Michelle

P.S. Need more ideas for using your cast-iron skillet? Try my Steak Mushroom Onion Skillet, Sausage and Cabbage Skillet with Fennel, Sausage and Cabbage Skillet with Fennel, or One-Skillet Mustard-Herb-Crusted Roast Pork Tenderloin!

Don't miss a thing!

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. PLUS, get easy dinner ideas and cooking hacks delivered straight to your inbox when you subscribe to the Flipped-Out Food Newsletter!