Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

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

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar using a fork or hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time and mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients until just combined to form the cookie dough.
5. Fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and half of the holiday or peanut butter M&Ms, reserving the rest for topping.
6. Press the cookie dough evenly into the greased skillet and bake for 25 minutes until edges are set and beginning to brown.
7. Remove from oven, top with the remaining M&Ms, pressing them gently into the surface. Return to oven and bake an additional 8 minutes, or until the center is just set but still soft.
8. Remove skillet from oven and allow the cookie to cool for 30 to 45 minutes to fully set the center. Serve warm with ice cream if desired for a gooey, decadent dessert.

Notes

• Using a cast iron skillet provides even heat distribution and creates a perfect crisp edge while keeping the center soft.
• Letting the cookie cool completely ensures the center sets nicely without being runny.
• You can substitute regular chocolate chips with any variety, or add nuts for extra texture.
• For a dairy-free version, replace butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
• If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a similarly sized oven-safe pan will work but watch baking times closely.