Homemade Pizookies: Prepare to indulge in a dessert experience that truly redefines what a cookie can be. Imagine the perfect fusion of a classic chocolate chip cookie and a warm, skillet-baked pizza – that’s the magic of a Pizookie! This decadent pan cookie is an irresistible treat, especially for those who cherish gooey, chocolatey goodness. From the moment you take your first bite of these giant Pizza Cookies, you’ll understand why they’ve become a legendary dessert sensation. It’s more than just a cookie; it’s an event, a shared delight that brings smiles to every face.
Our Copycat BJ’s Pizookie recipe promises to become an instant family favorite, offering a surprisingly easy path to a truly spectacular dessert. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something extraordinary after dinner, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Get ready to bake a warm, giant chocolate chip cookie that’s designed to be shared and devoured, ideally topped with generous scoops of melting vanilla ice cream and your favorite drizzles.
Why This Pizookie Recipe Is a Must-Try
If you’re still wondering whether to dive into the wonderful world of Pizookies, let us convince you. This recipe isn’t just about baking a cookie; it’s about crafting an unforgettable dessert experience. Here’s why our homemade Pizookie will quickly become a cherished favorite:
- It’s a HUGE Chocolate Chip Cookie: Forget tiny cookies! A Pizookie is a glorious, oversized chocolate chip cookie, baked to perfection in a skillet. It’s designed for sharing, but so delicious, you might be tempted to keep it all to yourself. This grand scale means more surface area for that delightful crispy edge and a generous, soft interior.
- Irresistible Texture Harmony: The beauty of a Pizookie lies in its contrasting textures. Baked in a skillet, it achieves a heavenly balance: slightly gooey and wonderfully soft in the middle, while developing a perfectly crispy, caramelized edge. Each bite offers a symphony of chewiness and crunch, a textural masterpiece that sets it apart from traditional cookies.
- A Celebration-Worthy Dessert: Topped with a generous scoop (or several!) of creamy vanilla ice cream, and drizzled with warm caramel or rich fudge sauce, a Pizookie transforms into an elegant yet comforting dessert. It’s a treat worthy of any celebration, be it a birthday, a family gathering, or just a cozy night in. The warm cookie melts the cold ice cream just enough to create an incredible combination of temperatures and flavors.
- Effortless Entertainment: Impress your guests with minimal effort. This recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for novice bakers and seasoned pros alike. The visual appeal of a sizzling skillet cookie emerging from the oven, ready for toppings, is a showstopper in itself.
Mastering Your Homemade Pizookie: Expert Tips
Creating the perfect Pizookie is an art, but one that’s easily mastered with a few insider tips. Whether you’re aiming for individual servings or a grand, shareable masterpiece, these pointers will ensure your Pizookies are consistently amazing:
- Choose Your Skillet Wisely: Pizookies, also known as pizza cookies, are incredibly versatile. You can bake them in any oven-safe skillet you have on hand. Mini cast-iron skillets are ideal for individual servings, providing that charming personal touch. For a grander, shareable dessert, opt for a larger skillet. Remember, the key is to adjust your baking time according to the size and depth of your chosen pan. Deeper, wider pans will require more time for the center to cook through.
- Dough Perfection for Optimal Texture: The foundation of any great cookie is its dough. Prepare your Pizookie dough just as you would for your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature; this allows them to emulsify properly with the sugars, resulting in a smoother, more uniform dough and a superior texture in the final bake. For that desirable dense and chewy Pizookie, use a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula to blend your ingredients instead of an electric mixer. Over-mixing with a mixer can incorporate too much air, leading to a cakier, less dense cookie.
- Prepare Your Skillets for Success: To prevent sticking and ensure easy serving, thoroughly grease your skillet(s) with butter or a nonstick cooking spray. Don’t skimp on this step, especially with cast iron, as it also contributes to that delightful crispy edge.
- Even Dough Distribution: Once your dough is ready, divide it evenly among your prepared pans. Don’t press the dough too tightly; leave a little space around the edges and at the top. This allows the pan cookie to expand and rise without overflowing. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently smooth the surface, ensuring even baking.
- PRO-Tip for a Picture-Perfect Pizookie: For that artisanal, professional bakery look, press a few extra chocolate chips onto the surface of the dough just before baking. These will melt beautifully and create enticing pockets of chocolate. If you forget this step, don’t worry! You can carefully (and quickly) add them to the warm Pizookie as soon as it comes out of the oven. The residual heat will melt them just enough to adhere and look fantastic.
- Bake to Gooey Perfection: The goal is a Pizookie that’s slightly underbaked in the center, ensuring a moist, gooey, and utterly decadent middle, while the edges are golden brown and crispy. Bake until the edges appear set and lightly browned, and the center looks *almost* set but still a little soft. Your nose will also tell you when it’s done – the amazing aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies will fill your kitchen!
- Cooling and Serving with Finesse: Allow your pizza cookie to cool slightly after removing it from the oven, typically for 5-10 minutes. This helps it set slightly and makes for easier scooping. Then, it’s topping time! While vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, don’t limit yourself. Experiment with coffee, mint chip, strawberry, or even a salted caramel ice cream. Drizzle with warm fudge, caramel, or even a berry compote for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve Warm, with Caution: Pizookies are best enjoyed warm, straight from the skillet. However, cast-iron skillets retain heat exceptionally well, so caution is advised. If serving family-style or with children, consider wrapping a kitchen towel around the hot handle to prevent accidental burns.
- PRO-Tip: Customize Your Creation: Unleash your inner dessert artist! Shake up the classic recipe by incorporating various mix-ins. Consider chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch, different flavored chips (white chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch), toffee bits, shredded coconut, or even a swirl of hazelnut spread before baking. The possibilities are endless!
Pizookie Baking Times: Your Guide to Perfection
Achieving the perfect Pizookie means understanding that baking times are more of a guideline than a strict rule. The exact duration will vary significantly depending on the size and material of your skillets, as well as the unique calibration of your oven. Remember, ovens can bake a little differently, so keep a close eye on your Pizookie, especially during the last few minutes of baking. Look for visual cues:
- The edges should appear crisp and golden brown.
- The center should look *almost* set, with a slight wobble, indicating that glorious gooey middle.
Here are some general guidelines to help you:
- 3.5-inch Skillets (Mini/Individual): 15-20 minutes
- 4-inch Ramekin: 12-15 minutes
- 6-inch Skillet: 25-30 minutes
- 8-inch Skillet: 18-20 minutes (for a thinner, faster-baking Pizookie)
- Medium Skillet (approx. 9-10 inches): 22-24 minutes
For larger skillets or thicker Pizookies, you might need an additional few minutes. When in doubt, it’s always better to slightly underbake for a gooier center than to overbake and end up with a dry cookie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pizookies
New to the Pizookie phenomenon? You’re in for a treat! Here are answers to some common questions about this delightful dessert:
For many, Homemade Pizookies might be a new culinary adventure. But once you discover them, there’s no going back! A Pizookie is essentially a giant, warm cookie baked in a shallow dish, typically a personal-sized pizza pan or a cast-iron skillet, and almost always served with ice cream and other toppings. The concept gained widespread popularity in 1978 when BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse first introduced their “Pizookie” to the world, serving it hot out of the oven to rave reviews. Since then, it has become a beloved signature dessert, available in numerous delicious flavors at their locations and inspiring countless home bakers to create their own versions. Who could resist a huge, shareable Pizza Cookie, especially one brimming with melted chocolate chips?
The name “Pizookie” is a clever and playful portmanteau, a linguistic blend of two distinct words: “pizza” and “cookie.” This ingenious name perfectly encapsulates the dessert’s essence. Just as you would bake a pan pizza in a cast-iron skillet, a Pizookie involves baking a large, round chocolate chip “pan” cookie in a similar fashion. The name highlights its pizza-like presentation and shareability, combined with the comforting familiarity of a cookie.
The original Pizookies from BJ’s Brewhouse were designed for sharing, hinting at a substantial size. While BJ’s website doesn’t specify an exact dimension, they were likely baked in a pan roughly equivalent to an 8-9-inch cake pan or skillet. However, the beauty of making Pizookies at home is their adaptability. You can make them in any sized skillet or oven-safe dish you have on hand, from mini 3-inch individual portions to a grand 10-inch family-sized treat. The crucial factor to remember is to adjust the baking time accordingly – smaller Pizookies will bake faster, while larger ones require a longer duration to cook through to that perfect gooey center.
The quintessential Pizookie experience involves serving these big Pizza Cookies warm, directly from the oven. The warmth of the cookie is essential as it creates a delightful contrast with the cold toppings. Typically, they are crowned with 2-3 generous scoops of ice cream – classic vanilla is the most popular choice, though many establishments and home cooks experiment with other flavors like chocolate, mint, or coffee. To elevate the decadence, Pizookies are often drizzled with rich sauces such as warm caramel, luxurious fudge, or even a vibrant fruit sauce. The entire ensemble is then ready to be shared, usually requiring 3-4 spoons for friends and family to dig in simultaneously, making it a truly interactive and communal dessert experience.
Explore More Decadent Cookie and Chocolate Creations
If you’ve fallen in love with the Pizookie, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic recipes that celebrate the joy of cookies and chocolate. Expand your baking repertoire with these delightful treats:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Cake from Life Love and Sugar
- Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Cake
- Milky Way Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Southern Living’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Discover more of theBest Cookie Recipes for every craving.
- Indulge in more Homemade Chocolate Recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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Pizookies AKA Pizza Cookie
20 minutes
30 minutes
50 minutes
10 Servings
When the beloved pan pizza meets the classic chocolate chip cookie, a truly divine dessert is born! This Pizookie recipe promises an unforgettable, easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (Ghirardelli recommended)
- Vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and/or caramel sauce to serve
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Generously grease two to three 6-inch cast-iron skillets or similar oven-safe pans. Set them aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended. This step is crucial for a tender Pizookie.
- Beat in the vanilla extract, the whole egg, and the extra egg yolk. Continue mixing until the mixture is light and creamy, ensuring everything is thoroughly incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. Chilling the dough is optional; if you choose to chill it, you may need to extend the baking time slightly.
- Divide the cookie dough evenly between your prepared pans. Gently smooth the tops with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. If you’re using only two skillets and have a small amount of leftover dough, you can bake it as a couple of regular-sized cookies separately.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully browned and the centers appear almost set but still slightly gooey. Remember that ovens vary, so keep an eye on them.
- Once baked, remove the Pizookies from the oven and allow them to cool in their skillets for 5-10 minutes. This allows them to set slightly before serving.
- Serve warm, topped with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of your favorite fudge or caramel sauce. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
You can easily vary the size of your skillets or baking pans to make individual or larger shareable Pizookies. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly; smaller pans will require less time, while larger or deeper pans will need more. Always watch for those golden-brown edges and a slightly gooey center!
Recommended Baking Essentials
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- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
- 6.5 inch Cast Iron Skillets
- Le Creuset 10-inch Skillet
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10
Serving Size:
1 wedge
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 520Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 311mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 4gSugar: 38gProtein: 6g
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