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Ultimate Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Bars for Tailgating

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These Ultimate Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Bars are the perfect tailgating dessert—warm, gooey, and made in a cast iron skillet with browned butter for deep flavor. Ready in under 35 minutes, this crowd-pleasing treat features crispy edges and a soft, molten center that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your cast iron skillet inside while it preheats.
  2. Brown the butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Swirl occasionally until it foams and turns a warm amber color with a nutty smell, about 5-7 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl immediately.
  3. Cool the butter slightly for 5 minutes until warm but not hot.
  4. Add the sugars: Whisk both brown sugar and granulated sugar into the warm butter until fully combined.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla: Whisk in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  6. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  7. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  8. Fold in chocolate chips: Reserve ¼ cup of chips for the top, then fold remaining chips into the batter.
  9. Prepare the skillet: Carefully remove hot skillet from oven. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray or brush with melted butter.
  10. Spread the batter: Scoop batter into hot skillet and spread evenly. Press reserved chocolate chips onto the top.
  11. Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is slightly soft and puffy. A toothpick inserted in center should have moist crumbs.
  12. Cool slightly for 10 minutes in the pan to set.
  13. Finish with flaky salt: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the top before serving.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs and watch the butter closely when browning—it can burn in 30 seconds. The center should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven as it continues cooking in the hot skillet. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter sticks. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate chip skillet cookie, tailgate dessert, cast iron cookie, easy cookie bars, game day dessert

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/ultimate-chocolate-chip-skillet-cookie-bars-for-tailgating/