A warm, gooey cookie mixed and baked in one pan, served straight from the oven with vanilla ice cream. Customize it by adding or swapping ingredients to suit your taste.
What is a pizookie?
A pizookie is essentially a skillet cookie: one large cookie baked in a cast-iron skillet and often pulled from the oven while still slightly underbaked. It’s traditionally served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center so everyone can dig in with spoons. You can also bake it fully, slice it like a pizza, and serve individual slices with or without ice cream.
One reason home cooks love skillet cookies is their simplicity. This particular recipe is mixed right in the cast-iron pan, eliminating the need to portion dough onto a sheet pan in multiple batches and reducing cleanup.
When was the pizookie invented?
The pizookie was popularized in 1978 by BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery. Many people first encountered it at a restaurant, where the warm, gooey skillet cookie—often topped with ice cream—became a favorite shared dessert. If you haven’t tried one at a restaurant, this homemade version delivers the same indulgent experience.
Ingredients in Chocolate Chip & Toffee Skillet Cookie
This recipe uses the same basic ingredients as a classic chocolate chip cookie, with adjusted quantities to work in a skillet. Each ingredient contributes to the cookie’s texture and flavor, so avoid omitting essentials. If you prefer no toffee, simply replace the toffee pieces with extra chocolate chips.
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- light brown sugar
- pure vanilla extract
- an egg (room temperature)
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- coarse salt
- chocolate chips
- toffee pieces (optional)
- vanilla ice cream for serving
How do you make a pizookie from scratch?
An 8-inch cast-iron skillet is ideal for this recipe. If you only have a 10- or 12-inch skillet, double the recipe and add about 5 minutes to the baking time.
To prepare the pizookie, melt the butter directly in the skillet over medium-low heat. Off the heat, whisk in the granulated and brown sugars along with the vanilla. Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes so it’s warm but not hot—this prevents the egg from scrambling when added. Whisk in the egg until fully incorporated, then stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chips and toffee pieces. Bake the skillet in a preheated 350°F oven until the edges are golden and the center is still slightly soft—about 15–20 minutes. Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream.
How do you reheat a skillet cookie?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick warm bite, or reheat the whole skillet in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until heated through. If you bake the cookie in advance to serve later, cool it completely, cover, refrigerate, and then warm before serving.
Tips for making skillet cookies
- Use a cast-iron skillet to achieve crisp, caramelized edges and a soft, gooey center.
- Use real unsalted butter for the best flavor and texture.
- Allow the skillet to cool for about 5 minutes after removing it from the heat before adding the egg to avoid scrambling.
- Add the egg directly to the warm butter-and-sugar mixture and whisk immediately to combine.
Skillet Cookie Variations
- Omit the toffee pieces and use all chocolate chips.
- Substitute chopped peanut butter cups or Rolos for the chips for a different flavor profile.
- Use M&M’s for a kid-friendly version.
- Add chopped pecans or macadamia nuts for texture.
- Top with warmed hot fudge, salted caramel, or melted peanut butter just before serving.
Chocolate Chip & Toffee Skillet Cookie (Pizookie)
4 servings
5 minutes
22 minutes
5 minutes
32 minutes
A pizookie is a slightly underbaked, gooey chocolate lover’s dream. If you haven’t tried one, this skillet cookie is a delightful introduction.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup toffee pieces (or use all chocolate chips)
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt the butter in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla, then remove the skillet from the heat. Let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes until it’s warm but not hot.
- Add the egg and whisk until combined. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips and toffee pieces.
- Bake 15–20 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center remains slightly soft (just a touch underdone).
- Serve immediately with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
If using a skillet larger than 8 inches, double the recipe and increase baking time by about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 851
Total Fat: 41g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 139mg
Sodium: 374mg
Carbohydrates: 117g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 78g
Protein: 8g
This nutrition data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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