If you're searching for a cozy, irresistible dessert to share this holiday, look no further. This Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe delivers warm, gooey cookie goodness with a festive peanut buttery twist that everyone will adore.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this skillet cookie more times than I can count, and it never fails to impress. Whether it’s date night or a casual get-together, it brings everyone together with smiles and warm plates.
- Shareable and Fun: Baked right in a cast iron skillet, it’s perfect for cozy moments or parties where everyone can dig in.
- Perfect Texture: Soft and gooey in the center with just the right crisp on the edges — that balance is everything.
- Festive Flavors: The addition of Peanut Butter M&Ms adds a colorful, peanut-buttery pop that feels special for Valentine’s Day.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together quickly, with an easy process that anyone can follow.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you shop for this recipe, focus on fresh, quality ingredients to really make those flavors shine. Using softened butter helps everything mix smoothly, and choosing unbleached flour gives the cookie its tender crumb.
- Butter: Room temperature for easy creaming and rich flavor.
- White granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that chewy texture.
- Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a hint of caramel depth.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor subtly but deliciously.
- Unbleached flour: Provides structure with a tender bite.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookie rise just enough for softness.
- Table salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavors.
- Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips: Classic melty chocolate pockets that everyone loves.
- Peanut Butter M&Ms: Adds festive color and a peanut butter crunch, making this cookie perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe is how easily it adapts to your tastes and pantry. Feel free to swap, add, or play with ingredients to make it truly yours!
- Peanut Butter Swap: I love using Peanut Butter M&Ms for that perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. If you prefer, regular holiday M&Ms work just as well, giving the cookie a classic colorful crunch.
- Nutty Delight: Try adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to the dough for a delightful nutty twist that adds texture and a subtle crunch.
- Vegan Variation: For a plant-based spin, replace butter with vegan butter and use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg). Use dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan-friendly M&Ms to keep it holiday-approved.
- Seasonal Spin: Mix in crushed peppermint candies or swap M&Ms for white chocolate chips around the holidays to give this skillet cookie a refreshing festive touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Skillet
Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit — this temperature perfectly bakes the cookie through with golden, slightly crisp edges without drying out the gooey center. Grab a 12-inch cast iron skillet and generously grease it with butter; this helps your cookie release easily and develops a lovely crust on the edges as it bakes.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter, ¾ cup white granulated sugar, and ¾ cup brown sugar. Using a fork or hand mixer, beat the mixture until it's smooth and fluffy—this step is key for adding air to the dough, giving the cookie a tender texture. You'll notice it lightening in color and feeling luxuriously smooth.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully combined. The mixture should look glossy and a little more voluminous. These wet ingredients bind the cookie and add moisture that helps achieve that gooey center we’re all chasing.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Stir in 2 ½ cups unbleached flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon table salt until everything is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix here—stir until you no longer see streaks of flour. The dough will start looking like classic cookie dough, thick and scoopable.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms
Gently fold in 12 ounces of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and half of your chosen package of Peanut Butter M&Ms. The colors and textures start coming together, promising those delightful bites of melty chocolate and peanut butter in every slice.
Step 6: Press and Bake the Cookie
Press the cookie dough evenly into your prepared skillet, smoothing it out so it reaches all the edges. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the edges are set and slightly browned — your kitchen will start smelling irresistible!
Step 7: Add More M&Ms and Bake Again
Take the skillet out and sprinkle the remaining M&Ms evenly across the top, pressing them gently into the dough so they stick during baking. Return the skillet to the oven and bake an additional 8 minutes until the center is set but still soft and gooey — the magic combination of textures that makes this dessert unforgettable.
Step 8: Cool and Indulge
Remove your skillet from the oven and let the cookie cool for 30 to 45 minutes. This step helps the center fully set and makes slicing much easier. For the ultimate indulgence, serve each warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — the perfect Valentine’s Day treat to share with someone special (or keep all to yourself!).
Top Tip
Getting the perfect gooey center and those beautifully crisp edges on your Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe is all about a few key details that make baking easier and more rewarding.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: I always make sure my butter is softened but not melted. This helps it cream beautifully with the sugars, giving the cookie dough a light and fluffy texture for baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Through trial and error, I learned that baking the cookie just until the edges are set and the center remains slightly gooey is essential. Overbaking can make the cookie too firm and dry.
- Press Dough Evenly: Pressing the dough evenly across the skillet ensures it bakes uniformly. Uneven thickness can cause some parts to be undercooked while others get too crispy.
- Let It Cool Properly: I avoid slicing the cookie immediately after baking. Allowing the skillet cookie to cool for 30 to 45 minutes sets the center perfectly and helps create clean slices.
How to Serve Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
Garnishes
To add a little extra flair, sprinkle some additional Peanut Butter M&Ms, mini marshmallows, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar on top before serving. A drizzle of warm caramel or chocolate sauce can also turn this treat into a truly decadent delight.
Side Dishes
This skillet cookie shines brightly on its own, but pairing it with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream adds a cool contrast to the warm, gooey cookie. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream offer refreshing balance to this sweet indulgence.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, perfect for enjoying a second round of gooey goodness.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled skillet cookie tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookie warm again, reheat in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes or until it’s soft and gooey once more. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave (20-30 seconds) works, though the texture won’t be quite as crisp on the edges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips will work just fine in this Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe — just keep in mind that mini chips distribute more evenly and melt nicely for a gooey texture.
Cooling allows the center to set up fully, making it easier to slice and giving you that perfect balance between soft and crisp. Serving it too hot can cause it to be too fragile and gooey.
Yes, you can swap in holiday M&Ms or your favorite candy-coated chocolates. Just be mindful that different candies may affect the texture slightly, especially when baking.
Make sure to generously butter the skillet before pressing in the dough. Using a well-seasoned cast iron skillet also helps create a natural non-stick surface for easy removal.
Final Thoughts
This Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe is one of those comforting, cozy treats that always feels like a warm hug. Whether it’s a sweet surprise for your special someone or a delightful indulgence for yourself, baking this skillet cookie is sure to bring smiles and satisfy cravings. So, grab your cast iron skillet, whip up that buttery dough, and get ready to enjoy one of the most delicious ways to celebrate the holiday of love!
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Valentine’s Day Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooling Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Valentine’s Day Skillet Cookie is a warm, gooey treat perfect for sharing. Loaded with buttery cookie dough, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and festive Peanut Butter M&Ms, it’s baked in a cast iron skillet for a soft center and slightly crisp edges. Serve it warm with ice cream for an indulgent dessert perfect for the holiday of love.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ½ cups unbleached flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 12 oz mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Toppings
- 1 package holiday M&Ms or Peanut Butter M&Ms divided (use Peanut Butter M&Ms for this recipe)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet 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 smooth and well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking soda, and table salt until fully incorporated into the wet mixture and a dough forms.
- Mix in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms: Fold in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and half of the holiday or Peanut Butter M&Ms, reserving the other half to top the cookie later.
- Spread Dough in Skillet: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared cast iron skillet, making sure it reaches the edges.
- Bake First Stage: Bake the cookie in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the edges are set and slightly browned.
- Add Remaining M&Ms: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the remaining M&Ms evenly on top, gently pressing them into the cookie dough.
- Bake Final Stage: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes, or until the center is set but still soft and slightly gooey.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the skillet cookie cool for 30 to 45 minutes in the skillet to fully set the center. Serve warm, optionally with ice cream for a decadent finish.
Notes
- For a softer center, do not overbake—center should remain slightly gooey.
- Substitute Peanut Butter M&Ms with regular or holiday M&Ms as desired.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
- Cooling the cookie before slicing ensures clean slices and better texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of skillet cookie)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
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