Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe
If warm, gooey, totally indulgent desserts are your love language, the Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet is about to become your new obsession. Imagine everything you love about classic s’mores—melty chocolate, toasted marshmallows, crunchy graham crackers—all wrapped up in a golden, chewy cookie baked right in a sizzling skillet. The secret swirl of brown butter adds nutty richness, transforming an already over-the-top treat into something unforgettable. Trust me: this is the kind of dessert that grabs attention and guarantees sticky-fingered, happy smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet lies in its approachable ingredient list, bringing together familiar flavors with a few clever upgrades. Each staple has a purpose, building layers of sweet, gooey, crunchy, and creamy in every bite. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: Browning the butter leads to rich, toasted notes that take your cookie base to the next level.
- Avocado oil: This helps keep the cookie extra-moist and lends a subtle depth without overpowering flavors.
- Brown sugar: Deep caramel sweetness is the backbone for chewy texture and molasses-y complexity.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a perfectly crackly top.
- Eggs (room temperature): These bind everything together and puff up the cookie with the perfect amount of chew.
- Heavy cream (room temperature): Just a touch makes the center extra gooey and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Vanilla extract or paste: Rounds out all the flavors, giving the dough that irresistible bakery aroma.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure so your cookie bakes up thick and soft.
- Baking soda and baking powder: For just the right amount of lift and softness.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing every sweet flavor and balancing the sugary profile.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bring classic chocolatey goodness and melty pockets in every bite.
- Chopped Hershey’s milk chocolate bar: For those nostalgic, creamy chocolate rivers that shout “s’mores.”
- Crushed graham crackers: Folded through the dough for authentic crunch and s’mores magic.
- Bite-size graham cracker pieces: Stuffed and layered for balanced texture surprises.
- Marshmallows: Toasty, gooey stretches of marshmallow both in and on top for peak s’mores energy.
- Vanilla bean ice cream: The classic finale—melty, creamy, and perfect for every warm skillet scoop.
- Flaky sea salt: A sprinkle on top brings out all the flavors and keeps things grown-up.
How to Make Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Step 1: Prep Your Skillet and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet with a bit of softened butter, making sure to get all the edges. Cast iron gives those beautiful crispy edges, which is exactly what you want for your Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet. Set the skillet aside while you whip up the dough.
Step 2: Brown the Butter
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and let it melt. Keep a close eye as it foams and sizzles—after about 5 minutes, you’ll see golden brown bits form and smell an irresistible, nutty aroma. Once browned, immediately pour the butter into a large mixing bowl to stop the cooking, and let it cool slightly. This step adds the rich, toasty flavor that makes this dessert truly special.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed before you add it to your wet ingredients, setting you up for a perfectly even rise and crumb in your finished cookie.
Step 4: Combine Sugars and Fats
To your slightly cooled brown butter, add the avocado oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk them together until fully incorporated. It should look glossy and smell heavenly—this is where all those signature cookie flavors are born.
Step 5: Add Eggs, Cream, and Vanilla
Now, crack in the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each to create a lighter, fluffy mix. Next, whisk in the heavy cream and the vanilla extract or paste for a glossy, dreamy cookie dough base that will bake up chewy and decadent.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make your cookie tough—a gentle touch yields a soft, thick cookie.
Step 7: Fold in the Goodies
Now for the best part: fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped Hershey’s milk chocolate, and the crushed graham crackers. Mix just until everything is evenly distributed, so you get a little s’mores magic in every bite.
Step 8: Layer and Stuff the Skillet
Press half of the cookie dough into an even layer in the prepared skillet. Scatter some of the bite-size graham cracker pieces and a generous handful of marshmallows over the dough. These hidden bits create surprise pockets of gooey, toasted sweetness.
Step 9: Top and Finish Layering
Scoop the remaining cookie dough on top, gently spreading it over the filling. Don’t worry if some marshmallows peek through—those golden, caramelized tops are delightful! Press the last of the marshmallows and graham cracker pieces onto the surface for that signature s’mores look.
Step 10: Bake to Golden Gooeyness
Bake your Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet in the preheated oven for 22 to 27 minutes. The edges should be deeply golden and the center slightly puffed and gooey—just the way a skillet cookie should be.
Step 11: Cool (Just a Bit!) and Serve
Let your skillet cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This quick pause lets everything settle so you get perfect, fudgey spoonfuls. Now comes the best part: serve it warm with scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on top and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the ultimate hot-and-cold, sweet-and-salty finish.
How to Serve Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
Garnishes
The finishing touches on your Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet can transform it from delicious to downright irresistible. A generous scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream is non-negotiable—the way it melts into the warm cookie is pure magic. For extra sparkle, a pinch of flaky sea salt teased over the top brings all those chocolate and caramel flavors into delicious harmony.
Side Dishes
While this skillet is definitely a showstopper on its own, you can round out dessert with mugs of hot chocolate, coffee, or even a splash of Irish cream liqueur. If you’re baking for a crowd, serve with a scoop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream or a platter of fresh berries for a refreshing contrast to all the gooey sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to take your presentation up a notch, try baking mini versions of your Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet in small cast iron pans for individual servings. You can also slice wedges from the larger skillet and sandwich them with toasted marshmallows for “cookie s’mores.” For a fun party vibe, pass out spoons and invite everyone to dig in straight from the skillet—family style always wins!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to have leftovers (trust me, it’s rare!), simply cover the cooled Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet tightly with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will keep well at room temperature for a day, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, staying chewy and flavorful.
Freezing
This skillet cookie freezes beautifully. For future treat emergencies, cut the cooled cookie into wedges and wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container. When the craving strikes, you’ll have gooey cookie bliss ready to go for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To bring your cookie back to its gooey, just-baked best, pop individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. If you’re reheating the whole skillet, cover it with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Top with fresh ice cream and enjoy that same warm, melty experience.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Absolutely! While Hershey’s milk chocolate and semi-sweet chips bring classic s’mores flavors, feel free to mix in dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for a twist. Personalizing your Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet is half the fun.
Do I have to use a cast iron skillet?
Not at all—a cast iron pan gives the best chewy edges, but any oven-safe skillet or deep dish will work. Just make sure it’s approximately 12 inches across for the perfect thickness and gooey center.
What if I don’t have avocado oil?
No worries! You can substitute with another neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. The oil keeps the cookie moist, but won’t impact the signature toasted flavor that comes from the brown butter.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes—you can assemble the whole skillet (except for marshmallows and graham cracker topping) a few hours in advance and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temp for 20 minutes, add the toppings, then bake so it’s fresh and gooey right before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
You can certainly try a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Just double-check your graham crackers and chocolate for gluten, and you’ll have a gluten-friendly version that’s every bit as decadent.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one dessert guaranteed to awe your family or guests, it’s this Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet. It’s fun to make, wildly delicious, and packed with all the nostalgia and drama of s’mores by the campfire—no tent required. Don’t wait for a special occasion: treat yourself and your favorites to an epic, gooey skillet cookie that’s sure to become a new tradition!
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Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 skillet cookie 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate dessert with this Brown Butter S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet recipe. A decadent combination of brown butter cookie dough loaded with chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows, baked to perfection in a skillet. Topped with vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, this dessert is a true crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup (113g) salted butter
- 2 tbsp (30ml) avocado oil
- 1 cup (250g) brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (110g) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp (30ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 2 tsp (8g) vanilla extract or paste
- 2 3/4 cups (350g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (6g) baking soda
- 1/4 tsp (1g) baking powder
- 1/4 tsp (1g) salt
- 3/4 cup (150g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (2 bars; 150g) chopped Hershey’s milk chocolate bar
- 4 sheets graham crackers, crushed
- 2 sheets graham crackers, broken into bite-size pieces for stuffing
For Assembly:
- 8–10 marshmallows
- Vanilla bean ice cream
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 12” cast iron or oven-safe skillet with butter.
- Brown the butter: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until slightly browned (~5 minutes). Cool slightly.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients: Combine brown butter with avocado oil and sugars. Add eggs, cream, and vanilla.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Gently fold in chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows.
- Assemble: Layer cookie dough in skillet with graham crackers and marshmallows. Bake:
- Bake: Bake at 350F for 22-27 minutes until golden and slightly gooey.
- Cool and serve: Cool for 10 minutes before serving with ice cream and sea salt.
Notes
- For a gooey center, slightly underbake the skillet cookie.
- Experiment with different chocolate varieties for unique flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: S’mores, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Skillet Dessert, Brown Butter, Marshmallows, Graham Crackers
