Imagine a chocolate chip cookie, but supersized and shareable. That’s exactly what this Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza is! This recipe delivers the ultimate comfort food experience – a perfectly baked, colossal cookie with golden, crispy edges and a soft, but never doughy, center. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this show-stopping dessert that’s easier to make than you might think.
Why You’ll Love This Giant Cookie Pizza
This isn’t just any giant cookie; it’s a game-changer. Here’s why you’ll be making this recipe again and again:
- No more doughy centers: The secret technique guarantees even baking.
- Impressive presentation: It’s a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
- Easy to share: Slice it up like a pizza and serve to a crowd.
- Classic flavor, amplified: All the comforting goodness of a chocolate chip cookie, but bigger and better!
Gathering Your Ingredients for Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza
Before we dive into baking this masterpiece, let’s talk about the ingredients. This recipe relies on pantry staples, but the quality of those ingredients will impact the final result. We’re aiming for a rich, buttery, and intensely chocolatey experience. The combination of granulated and brown sugar creates a wonderful depth of flavor and the right amount of chewiness. And, of course, plenty of chocolate chips are essential! Let’s break down what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Using softened, unsalted butter is crucial for creaming properly with the sugars, creating a light and airy base. Make sure it’s softened, not melted!
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: This provides the classic sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s crispy edges.
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel flavor. Packing it ensures you get the correct amount.
- 2 large eggs: These bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A high-quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of warmth.
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour: This provides the structure for the cookie. Make sure to measure it accurately; spooning and leveling is the best method.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the cookie rise and gives it a light, airy texture.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- 2 cups chocolate chips: Use your favorite type of chocolate chips! Semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a combination will work.
Crafting Your Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get baking! Don’t be intimidated by the size of this cookie. The process is very similar to making regular chocolate chip cookies, but with a few key tweaks to ensure even baking and a perfectly textured center. The key to avoiding a doughy center is all in how we shape the dough in the pan.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensuring your oven is at the correct temperature is essential for even baking. Consider using an oven thermometer for accuracy.
- Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This is a crucial step for creating a light and airy cookie. Use an electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer) for best results. Cream the ingredients for at least 3-5 minutes until the mixture is noticeably lighter in color and texture.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Adding the eggs one at a time allows them to incorporate fully into the batter. Beating them in well helps to emulsify the mixture and create a smooth batter. The vanilla extract is a flavor booster, so don’t skip it!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking the dry ingredients ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter, preventing pockets of baking soda or salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cookie. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet ingredients. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage.
- Stir in the chocolate chips. Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Press the dough evenly into a 12-inch pizza pan. This is where the magic happens! This recipe is all about making the center thinner than the sides so that the dough will be baked evenly. When pressing, create a slight well in the center of the dough, making the edges slightly thicker than the middle. This ensures the center bakes properly without becoming doughy.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set, but still slightly soft. Keep a close eye on the cookie as it bakes. The baking time will vary depending on your oven. The cookie is done when the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft to the touch. It will continue to set as it cools.
- Let cool completely before slicing and serving. This is the hardest part, but it’s essential! Letting the cookie cool completely allows it to firm up and makes it easier to slice. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza Every Time
Want to guarantee cookie pizza perfection? Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:
- Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures that the ingredients mix together properly and create a smooth batter.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing leads to a tough cookie. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the pan: Pay attention to creating that slight well in the center to avoid a doughy center.
- Check for doneness: The cookie is done when the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Let it cool completely: This is crucial for achieving the perfect texture and making it easy to slice.
- Storage: Store leftover cookie pizza in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil.
- For another tasty treat, consider trying our Easy Caramel Nut Dessert Jars recipe. It is another easy and delicious way to impress your friends.
What to Serve With Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza
This giant cookie pizza is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to take it to the next level:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream: The classic pairing of warm cookie and cold ice cream is always a winner.
- A drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce: Add extra indulgence with a drizzle of your favorite sauce.
- Fresh berries: The tartness of fresh berries complements the sweetness of the cookie.
- Whipped cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a light and airy touch.
Your Giant Cookie Pizza Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I use a different type of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite type of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even a combination. You can also add other mix-ins, such as nuts, sprinkles, or dried fruit.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure to use a blend that contains xanthan gum for best results. Gluten-free flour blends can sometimes produce a slightly different texture, so keep an eye on the baking time.
Why is my cookie pizza still doughy in the center?
The most common reason for a doughy center is not creating a slight well in the center of the dough when pressing it into the pan. Make sure the edges are slightly thicker than the middle. Also, ensure your oven is at the correct temperature and that you are not underbaking the cookie.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften slightly before pressing it into the pan.
Can I freeze the cookie pizza?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookie pizza for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature for a few hours.
If you’re looking for another easy dessert, consider trying our Chocolate Covered Apple Dessert Cups recipe!
Enjoy Your Homemade Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie!
There you have it – a giant chocolate chip cookie pizza that’s guaranteed to be a hit! This recipe is perfect for parties, celebrations, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. The slightly crispy edges, soft center, and generous dose of chocolate chips will have everyone coming back for more. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a delicious masterpiece. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how yours turns out! I love hearing from you.
Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza (Never Doughy Center!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Press the dough evenly into a 12-inch pizza pan. *Here’s the key for avoiding a doughy center: create a slight well in the center of the dough, making the edges slightly thicker than the middle. This will help the center bake evenly.*
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set, but still slightly soft.
- Let cool completely before slicing and serving.