Create the ultimate romantic dessert with this incredibly easy Valentine’s Skillet Cookie recipe. Perfectly portioned for two, this giant, gooey chocolate chip cookie is baked in a cast-iron skillet until it has golden, crispy edges and a warm, melted center. It’s the perfect shareable treat to end your special Valentine’s dinner. No chilling, no complex steps—just pure, simple indulgence.
This isn’t just any cookie; it’s an experience. Imagine digging into a warm, buttery cookie loaded with molten chocolate chips, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melts into every crevice. It’s a simple dessert that delivers a huge wow factor, making it one of our favorite romantic traditions. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the perfect sweet ending to a cozy night in with your special someone.
Why This Valentine’s Skillet Cookie is the Perfect Treat
You are going to fall in love with this Valentine’s Skillet Cookie recipe. It’s designed for simplicity and romance, making it the ideal dessert for home cooks who want to create something special without the stress. It’s practically foolproof!
- Perfectly Sized for Two: No more overwhelming leftovers! This recipe is specifically scaled for a small 6-inch cast-iron skillet, creating the perfect shareable dessert.
- Quick and Easy: From mixing bowl to oven in just 10 minutes, this recipe is incredibly fast. You can even prepare the dough ahead of time.
- Incredibly Delicious: It strikes the perfect balance between crispy, buttery edges and a soft, gooey, chocolate-filled center.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything is mixed in one bowl and baked in one skillet, meaning you can spend more time enjoying the moment and less time washing dishes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand. No need for a special trip to the store!
For the Skillet Cookie:
- Unsalted Butter: Melted, which makes the cookie extra chewy and rich.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor. Light or dark brown sugar works well.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create those crispy edges.
- Egg Yolk: Using just the yolk adds richness and creates a fudgier texture without making the cookie cakey.
- Vanilla Extract: A non-negotiable for classic cookie flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cookie.
- Baking Soda: Gives the cookie just the right amount of lift.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The star of the show! Use good quality chocolate chips for the best melt.
- Valentine’s Sprinkles: An optional but highly recommended festive touch!
For Serving (Optional):
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Chocolate or Caramel Sauce
- Flaky Sea Salt
Looking for another easy dessert? Try these amazing bakery-style chocolate chip cookies that are always a crowd-pleaser.
How to Make the Perfect Valentine’s Skillet Cookie
Follow these simple steps to create a warm and gooey Valentine’s Skillet Cookie that will impress your date. It’s a straightforward process that anyone can master.
Step 1: Prepare Your Skillet and Oven
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-inch cast-iron skillet with butter or non-stick spray. Set it aside.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until they are well combined. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate and Press into Skillet
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you’re using sprinkles, you can fold some in now or save them all for the top. Press the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared 6-inch skillet. Top with extra chocolate chips and a generous amount of Valentine’s sprinkles.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and set, but the center is still slightly soft and gooey. The cookie will continue to cook in the hot skillet after you remove it from the oven.
For a different kind of sweet treat, this cookie dough cheesecake recipe is a showstopper.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
Want to customize your skillet cookie? Here are some of our favorite tips and variations to make it your own.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overbake: The key to a perfect skillet cookie is the gooey center. Pull it from the oven when the middle still looks a little underdone. It will set up as it cools in the hot skillet.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this can pack the flour and make your cookie dry.
- Serve Immediately: A skillet cookie is best enjoyed warm, right out of the oven, preferably with a scoop of melting ice cream on top!
Fun Variations
- Different Chips: Swap semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips. A mix of two is also delicious!
- Add Nuts: For a bit of crunch, fold in a tablespoon of chopped walnuts or pecans. For a more unique flavor, try our pecan pie cheesecake recipe.
- Make it a Brookie: Swirl in a tablespoon of brownie batter before baking for a decadent “brookie” skillet.
What to Serve with Your Skillet Cookie
This Valentine’s Skillet Cookie is a dessert that demands to be served a la mode. A big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is classic for a reason. As it melts, it creates a creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with the warm, gooey cookie. For extra decadence, drizzle with hot fudge or caramel sauce and finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While a cast-iron skillet gives the best crispy edges, you can use any small, oven-safe skillet or a 6-inch round cake pan. Baking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on it.
Absolutely. You can prepare the dough, press it into the skillet, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. When you’re ready, just bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
The skillet cookie is perfectly baked when the edges are golden brown and appear set. The center should still look slightly soft and underdone. It will continue to cook in the hot skillet after being removed from the oven.
The classic topping is a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor.
This recipe is specifically designed for a small 6-inch cast-iron skillet to create a deep-dish cookie that’s perfectly portioned for two people to share.
Storing and Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers, you can cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the skillet in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 15-20 seconds.
The Easiest Romantic Dessert
This Valentine’s Skillet Cookie is more than just a recipe; it’s a simple way to create a memorable moment. It proves that you don’t need complicated desserts to show someone you care. We hope you and your loved one enjoy this sweet, simple, and utterly delicious treat. If you make it, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
More Dessert Recipes
Valentine's Skillet Cookie for Two
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-inch cast-iron skillet and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until combined. Whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a spatula to mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared skillet. Top with extra chocolate chips and Valentine's sprinkles.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the edges are golden but the center is still soft. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, if desired.
Notes
Serving Tip: This cookie is best enjoyed immediately while warm and gooey!
