Cast Iron Baking: The Secret To Perfect Pan Cookies

Baking cookies in a cast-iron pan is a fun and easy way to make a dessert that's perfect for sharing. It's also a great option if you don't want to spend time portioning out dough and baking multiple batches of cookies. With a cast-iron skillet cookie, you get a giant cookie with crispy edges and a soft, gooey centre – a little like a blondie-cookie hybrid. Plus, you can bring the skillet straight to the table and let everyone dig in!

Preparing your cast-iron pan for baking

To prepare your cast-iron pan for baking, start by giving it a light wash with some warm water and a mild soap or detergent. Contrary to popular belief, washing your cast-iron pan with soap will not cause any harm, as long as it is well-seasoned. This step is important to ensure that your baked goods don't absorb any unwanted flavours from the pan, such as fried onions or chicken.

Once your pan is clean and dry, you can preheat it in the oven if you wish, although this is not necessary. Preheating the pan will help to create a crispy exterior on your cookies, but it may also cause the bottom of your cookies to overcook, so it is recommended to bake without preheating.

If your cast-iron pan is not well-seasoned, or if you are concerned about your cookies sticking, you can coat the pan with a thin layer of butter or a baking non-stick spray. This will help to ensure that your cookies release easily from the pan and don't stick.

Finally, when your cast-iron pan is prepared, you can transfer your cookie dough into it and proceed with the baking instructions. Enjoy your freshly baked cookies straight from the skillet!

Making the cookie dough

First, add your butter to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for around 45 seconds, or until most of it has melted. Allow the butter to cool for a few minutes. You can also melt the butter in the skillet over low heat if you prefer.

Next, add the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to your mixing bowl. Mix until well blended. You can use light or dark brown sugar, or a combination of both, depending on your taste.

After that, add an egg, an egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the mixture and combine. You can also add a teaspoon of flaky sea salt at this stage if you want to enhance the flavor.

Now it's time to add the dry ingredients. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt, just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. You can also add a teaspoon of baking powder for a little extra rise.

Finally, gently stir in your choice of chocolate chips. You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or a combination of both. You can even add some chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for extra crunch.

Your cookie dough is now ready to be pressed into your cast-iron skillet and baked!

Pressing the dough into the pan

Before pressing the dough into the pan, ensure that you have prepared your cast-iron skillet by greasing it with butter or oil. This step is essential to prevent your cookies from sticking to the pan and making them easier to remove after baking. You can also place a piece of parchment paper in the pan before pressing in the dough for easier removal.

When you are ready to press the dough, use your hands or a spatula to spread the cookie dough evenly across the bottom of the skillet. Start by placing a ball of dough in the centre of the pan and then gently press and flatten it, working your way outwards until the dough covers the entire surface. Make sure the dough is spread evenly, with a consistent thickness throughout.

If you want to get creative, you can use different-sized skillets or even ramekins to make mini skillet cookies. Simply press the dough into the smaller pans, reducing the bake time accordingly.

For a classic chocolate chip skillet cookie, you can use a combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, or experiment with white chocolate or butterscotch chips. You can also add chopped walnuts or pecans to your dough for some added crunch.

Once you have pressed the dough into the pan, your skillet is ready to be placed in the oven for baking. Remember to preheat your oven to the specified temperature before baking your cookies.

Baking the cookie

Step 1: Prepare the cast iron pan

If your cast iron pan is well seasoned, a simple light wash will do. If it isn't, spray it with baking non-stick spray or coat it with a thin layer of butter. You can also preheat your pan if you wish, but this may cause the bottom layer to overcook.

Step 2: Make the cookie dough

In a bowl, combine room-temperature butter and sugars with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer. For a single 10-inch cookie, you'll need 6 tablespoons of butter, 1/3 cup of dark-brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. For a larger 12-inch cookie, use 12 tablespoons of butter, 1 cup of light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.

Next, stir in the egg and vanilla extract. For a 10-inch cookie, use one egg; for a 12-inch cookie, add an extra egg yolk.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients

Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt. For a 10-inch cookie, use 1 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. For a 12-inch cookie, use 2 cups and 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Step 4: Add chocolate chips

Stir in the chocolate chips. You can use a mix of milk and semi-sweet chocolate, or white and semi-sweet chocolate. If you're making a 10-inch cookie, use 1 cup of chocolate chips; for a 12-inch cookie, use 10 ounces of chocolate chips. You can also add 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.

Step 5: Transfer the dough to the pan

Press the cookie dough into the cast iron skillet. If you're making a 10-inch cookie, smooth the top.

Step 6: Bake the cookie

For a 10-inch cookie, bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes. For a 12-inch cookie, bake at 325°F for 28-35 minutes, or at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. The cookie is ready when the edges are golden brown and the centre is cooked through but still slightly gooey.

Step 7: Serve

Let the cookie cool for at least 10 minutes, then serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Serving the cookie

Once your cast-iron skillet cookie is baked, it's time to serve it! But before you dig in, it's important to let the cookie cool down slightly. Most sources recommend letting the cookie cool for about 5 minutes, while others suggest a longer cooling time of 20 to 30 minutes. This will ensure that the cookie sets and is comfortable to handle.

After cooling, you can serve the cookie directly from the skillet. Place the skillet in the centre of the table and let everyone dig in! If you prefer individual portions, you can cut the cookie into slices or wedges and serve them on plates or bowls. Top each serving with a scoop of ice cream—vanilla, butter pecan, or your favourite flavour—and, if you're feeling fancy, add a swirl of chocolate or caramel sauce. You can also sprinkle the cookie with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavour.

If you have any leftovers, wrap the skillet cookie in foil and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should be consumed within three days. Alternatively, you can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to two months.

Frequently asked questions