Craving a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie but don't want the fuss of individual portions? Then get ready to meet the pizookie – a giant, skillet-baked cookie that's perfect for sharing (or not!). This easy recipe delivers all the deliciousness of a classic chocolate chip cookie, with a delightfully crisp edge and a molten, chocolatey center. It's the ultimate comfort food, ideal for a quick dessert, a fun family activity, or even a surprisingly impressive addition to your next get-together. Let's dive into this simple yet spectacular recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or a mix!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 10-inch cast iron skillet (or an oven-safe skillet of similar size) and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray. This ensures easy removal of your delicious pizookie later. Gather all your ingredients and measure them out – this makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is easily done with an electric mixer, but you can certainly do it by hand – it just requires a bit more elbow grease!
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your pizookie tough.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips. Feel free to get creative here! Add nuts, different types of chocolate, or even dried fruit for a unique twist.
Step 6: Bake the Pizookie
Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is still slightly soft. Keep a close eye on it towards the end, as ovens can vary.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let the pizookie cool in the skillet for a few minutes before serving. It’s best served warm, but it's still delicious at room temperature. Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Pizookie:
- Don't overbake: A slightly soft center is key to a perfect pizookie. It will continue to cook slightly as it cools.
- Use good quality chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the pizookie!
- Get creative with add-ins: Nuts, dried fruit, pretzels – the possibilities are endless!
- Serve with ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the ultimate pizookie companion.
Variations:
- Peanut Butter Pizookie: Substitute ½ cup of the flour with peanut butter.
- Oatmeal Raisin Pizookie: Add ½ cup of rolled oats and ½ cup of raisins to the batter.
- White Chocolate Cranberry Pizookie: Swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and add ½ cup of dried cranberries.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. For a general estimate, one serving (assuming 8 servings) contains approximately:
- Calories: 350-400
- Fat: 20-25g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50g
- Sugar: 25-30g
- Protein: 4-5g
This delicious and easy chocolate chip pizookie recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. It's a simple yet impressive dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy baking!