We’re honoring National Chocolate Chip Day, May 15th, by baking this fun and fabulous Pizookie® recipe.

Pizookie is a dessert that consists of a freshly-baked cookie usually baked and served in an iron skillet, typically topped with ice cream.

> The history of the Pizookie is below.

> The history of the chocolate chip cookie.

> 20+ foods made with chocolate chips are below

> The year’s 6+ chocolate chip holidays are also below.

> The year’s 44 cookie holidays.

> A Pizookie cousin: Red Velvet Pizookie Cookie recipe with white chocolate chips.
 
 
RECIPE: CHOCOLATE CHIP PIZOOKIE

Prep is 15 minutes and bake time is 35 minutes. Thanks to James Schend of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin who submitted the recipe to Taste Of Home Test Kitchen, which shared it with us.

“Whether you’re looking to whip up something new for a party or just want to impress your family with a larger-than-life, ultra-shareable cookie, this pizookie recipe is for you,” they say.

Be sure the eggs are at room temperature before adding them. They mix into the batter more easily, and also make the dough rise more.

If you forgot to take the eggs from the fridge, put them in a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter in the oven as it preheats.

2. COMBINE the sugars in a large bowl. When the butter is almost melted, remove the skillet from the oven, swirl it until the butter is completely melted, and stir the melted butter into the sugar mixture. Set the skillet aside.

Bakking note: The butter and sugar are not creamed like they would be for a regular cookie, because melted butter creates a chewier, denser texture for the Pizookie and a better surface for the toppings.

3. BEAT the eggs and vanilla into the sugar mixture. In another bowl…

4. WHISK the flour, baking soda, and salt together. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the sugar mixture.

5. STIR in the chocolate chips and nuts. If using fresh raspberries, gently fold them in. Spread the mixture into the buttered skillet.

6. BAKE until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, about 35 to 40 minutes.

Be careful not to overbake or you’ll have one tough cookkie!

It’s better to underbake than overbake, as the heat from the skillet will continue to bake the cookie when it’s removed from the oven. Plus, says Mr. Schend, you can’t go wrong with a molten, gooey center.

7. SERVE warm, top with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, hot fudge or extra chocolate chips. If you’re cutting back on the calories, substitute fresh raspberries or strawberries (we’re joking about the calories, but fresh berries are a great garnish especially for those who don’t want the extra sweetness of a dessert sauce).
 
For A Smaller Pizookie

You can make individual Pizookies cookie in six-inch cast-iron skillets (the size typically used at BJ’s, and two people can split it).

Just brush four skillets with melted butter before adding the dough. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Bake one small Pizookie a day. Just don’t be tempted to eat it unbaked!
 
 
THE HISTORY OF THE PIZOOKIE

Pizookie, a portmanteau of “pizza” and “cookie,” was created by the restaurant chain BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in the early 1990s, though similar desserts existed before then.

The original concept was simple: Take cookie dough, bake it in a pizza pan until it’s slightly underdone (crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside), and serve it hot from the oven with ice cream on top.

The contrast between the warm, soft cookie and the cold, melting ice cream created an instant hit. BJ’s trademarked the term Pizookie® and it became their signature dessert.
 
 
The Flavors Of Pizookie

Recognizing that you can’t have too much of a good thing, BJ’s expanded to other flavors. You can currently order:

 
If you can’t decide where to start, there’s the Pizookie Trio.

And, there are occasional “specials.”
 
Pizookie Specials

 
What more could you ask for?

Well, you can suggest new Pizookie flavors. Reach out to BJ’s Restaurants through their social media channels or their feedback forms and customer service channels on their website.

Additionally, you can join BJ’s Premier Rewards PLUS program, suggest flavors there, and get a free Pizookie upon joining, on your birthday, and points toward free food and drink. Head to the website and scroll down. It’s free.
 
 
Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

Today, many restaurants offer their own versions of the Pizookie (using other names due to BJ’s trademark).

Home cooks have created their own versions, often using cast iron skillets to get the crispy edges.

[12] The original: BJ’s Chocolate Chunk Pizookie (photos #8, #9, #10., #11, and #12 © BJ’s Restaurants).

 
 
THE TOP 30+ FOODS MADE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

In alphabetical order:

 
And we must give props to the chocolate chip’s siblings: butterscotch chips, caramel chips, cinnamon chips, mint chips, peanut butter chips, and white chocolate chips.
 
 
THE YEAR’S 6+ CHOCOLATE CHIP HOLIDAYS

 
Holidays That Can Use Flavored Chips

[1] A classic Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © What’s Gaby Cooking).

[2] Chocolate Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Art Of Palate).

[3] Red Velvet Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Dessert Now Dinner Later).

[4] Skillet Monster Pizookie with M&Ms. Here’s the recipe (photo © Chelsea’s Messy Apron).

[5] Cookies & Cream Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Ellen And Pear).

[6] Air Fryer Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Tasty Air Fryer Recipes).

[7] Gluten Free Pizookie. Here’s the recipe (photo © Gluten Free On A Shoestring).

[8] BJ’s Dill Pickle Pizookie (photo © BJ’s Restaurants).

[9] BJ’s Salted Caramel Pizookie.

[10] BJ’s Broccoli Cheddar Pizookie a la mode with mashed potatoes.

[11] BJ’s Snickers Pizookie.

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