Get Mini Pazookie Pans: Bj's Restaurant Style

The Pizookie is a signature dish of the restaurant chain BJ's Restaurants. It is a dessert made from a large cookie, usually topped with vanilla ice cream. The name is a portmanteau of the words pizza and cookie, as the cookie resembles a deep-dish pizza cooked in a skillet. The Pizookie is served in small 8-inch frying pans and is meant to be eaten when the cookie is warm. The pans used to bake the Pizookie can be purchased at many supermarkets.

Where to buy mini pazookie pans

If you're looking to recreate the famous Pizookie from BJ's Restaurant at home, you'll need to get your hands on some mini pans similar to the ones used by the restaurant chain. Here are some options for where to buy mini pazookie pans:

• Online Retailers: Start your search on popular online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. These sites offer a wide variety of cookware and kitchen supplies, including mini skillets or frying pans ideal for making pazookies. Look for sellers that offer pans in sets, as you'll typically need more than one for serving multiple pazookies.
• Specialty Kitchen Stores: Visit specialty kitchen and baking supply stores, either in-person or online. Stores like Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma, or WebstaurantStore often carry a diverse range of cookware, including mini pans suitable for pazookies.
• Local Home Goods Stores: Check out the kitchen sections of stores like Target, Walmart, or IKEA. These stores often carry a variety of cookware, and you might be able to find mini pans or skillets that can be used for making pazookies.
• Restaurant Supply Stores: If you have access to a restaurant supply store in your area, they may carry the type of mini pans you're looking for. These stores typically cater to the needs of restaurants and caterers, so you may find similar pans to those used by BJ's Restaurant.
• Second-hand Stores: Thrift stores or second-hand goods stores are worth exploring. Sometimes you can find unique or vintage cookware, including mini pans, at very reasonable prices.

When shopping for mini pazookie pans, look for options that are around 6 to 8 inches in diameter, as this is the typical size used for pazookies. Cast iron skillets are a great choice, as they distribute heat evenly and give your pazookie a nice, crunchy crust. Non-stick pans are also an option, but be careful not to scratch the coating when serving.

How to make a pazookie

A Pazookie is a combination of pizza and a cookie, or a giant chocolate chip cookie baked in a cast-iron skillet and served straight from the pan. It is best served warm with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Ingredients:

• Butter (unsalted)
• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Eggs
• Egg yolk (optional)
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Fine sea salt
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Semisweet chocolate (chopped into chunks)
• Vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Utensils:

• 10-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9-inch pie plate or cake pan
• Large bowl
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.
• Melt the butter in the cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and pour the melted butter into a large bowl.
• Add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Whisk to combine.
• Let the mixture cool, then whisk in the eggs, egg yolk (if using), and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Using a rubber spatula, mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms.
• Carefully mix in the chocolate chips and chunks, reserving a few for the top.
• Pour the batter back into the skillet and sprinkle the reserved chocolate on top.
• Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the center is still gooey to your preference.
• Remove from the oven and let the Pazookie stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream.

Tips:

• You can make individual Pazookies by dividing the dough evenly among four 6-inch mini cast-iron dishes, gratin pans, or ramekins. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
• The Pazookie can be made ahead of time. Simply prep the dough and spread it into the pan, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking.
• For a different flavour, try using white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, or replace half the chocolate chips with M&Ms or chopped Oreo cookies.

BJ's pazookie flavours

BJ's Restaurants offer a range of Pizookie flavours, a unique pizza-cookie hybrid dessert that has become a fan-favourite. The dessert consists of a warm, deep-dish cookie pie topped with ice cream. The classic Pizookie has seen various flavours over the years, with some seasonal and limited-edition options.

One of the most popular flavours is the Peanut Butter S'mores Pizookie, which was brought back due to popular demand. This flavour features a warm and gooey triple chocolate cookie, loaded with creamy peanut butter and toasted marshmallows, and is served with vanilla bean ice cream. Another beloved flavour is the Hot Fudge Brownie, a rich and indulgent option.

BJ's also offers a variety of other Pizookie flavours, including Chocolate Chunk, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Cookies 'n' Cream, and Salted Caramel. For those with gluten intolerance, they provide a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip option, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the treat.

In addition to these classic flavours, BJ's introduces limited-time flavours, such as the Count Chocula Cereal Pizookie, a Halloween special. This flavour combines a warm chocolate cookie with chunks of Ghirardelli chocolate, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and sprinkled with Count Chocula cereal, creating a fun and festive dessert.

BJ's pazookie specials

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is famous for its Pizookie, a freshly baked, hot, rich, and delicious deep-dish cookie topped with two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream. The cookie is served in its own deep dish, and you can choose from chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia nut, peanut butter, or oatmeal raisin walnut.

The Pizookie is not always a cookie, though. Sometimes it's a brownie, or, in a recent variation, freshly baked monkey bread.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse has 83 locations in the West and Southwest of the US.

BJ's pazookie history

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. is an American restaurant chain, founded in 1978 in Santa Ana, California. The chain operates under several names, including BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, BJ's Grill, and BJ's Pizza & Grill. The original name of the first restaurant was BJ Grunts, but it was changed to BJ's Chicago Pizzeria shortly after opening due to a trademark conflict with a Chicago-based hamburger restaurant.

BJ's has a long history of serving up award-winning pizzas and craft beers, but it is perhaps best known for its signature dessert, the Pizookie. This unique creation is a hybrid of a pizza and a cookie, served warm and topped with generous scoops of ice cream. The dense cookie comes in a variety of flavours, including salted caramel, cookies 'n' cream, and peanut butter s'mores.

The Pizookie has become a staple at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and its popularity has led to the term "Pizookie" entering the larger lexicon. While other oversized skillet cookies may be referred to as Pizookies, true Pizookies are only found at BJ's. The dessert is so iconic that BJ's held a virtual event in 2020 called "Pizookie: Off the Record" to delve into its history and secret flavours.

The correct pronunciation of Pizookie is "PIZ-ook-e", but it is often mispronounced in various ways. Despite this, the dessert has become world-famous and is a favourite among dessert enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions