This easy campfire recipe makes the best skillet cookies — crispy edges, melty chocolate, and zero leftovers.

Looking for the perfect dessert that is sure to be a crowd pleaser? This giant cookie is one of the easiest desserts ever.

This skillet chocolate chip cookie is gooey, golden, and always a hit. Our kids request that we make cookies over the campfire every single day that we are camping and we’re happy to oblige!

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Table of Contents

The hardest part is having patience during the bake time! Check out the full recipe below.

How to Make the Best Skillet Cookies

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Supplies

6″ cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough – Store-bought cookie dough keeps things simple and delivers melty chocolate goodness with almost zero effort.
Non-stick spray or olive oil (optional) – A quick spritz or swipe helps ensure your giant cookie lifts out easily, especially if your skillet isn’t perfectly seasoned yet.

Instructions

1. Coat the skillet with non-stick spray. A well seasoned cast iron skillet does not need this step, but we do it anyway as an extra precaution.

2. Place half of the cookie dough in the skillet and spread it around to the edges.

3. Cook over the campfire on low for 15-25 minutes.

The biggest mistake in cooking over the campfire is to have the flames and heat too high. This will burn the bottom of your cookie in no time.

Be patient, and move the skillet away from open flames whenever possible. Check out our How to Build a Campfire for Cooking post for more tips and tricks!

Other Topping Ideas and Mix-ins

Caramel sauce
Hot fudge or chocolate syrup
A pinch of flaky sea salt
Extra chocolate chunks
Peanut butter chips
White chocolate chips
For a giant s’mores cookie, top with a whole chocolate bar or extra semisweet chocolate chips. Let the chocolate melt. Add marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crumbs.

Wrapping aluminum foil over the top of the skillet can also aid in baking the cookie thoroughly, but is not necessary. The biggest thing is cooking low and slow.

You can make this recipe in a camper oven or BBQ grill too! Baking times will vary, so be sure to watch your skillet cookie carefully.

Camping Essentials for Skillet Recipes

I love using this Lodge Cast Iron Skillet for all of my sauteing.
These silicone tongs are perfect for flipping and grasping hot food.
This 9QT Overmont Dutch Oven is my favorite for one-pot-style meals over the fire.
These long handled wooden utensils make stirring easy and they don’t melt or get too hot!
This cast iron scrubber set is perfect for safely cleaning your cast iron.

The cast iron skillet cookie in this photo has been perfectly baked over the fire. You can see it is a beautiful golden brown color, with crispy edges.

The kids like to top this camping treat with melted marshmallows or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if we have any in the trailer freezer.

We are no strangers to cooking cookies in the great outdoors! Be sure to check out our pie iron cookie recipe too.

Tips for Cooking With Cast Iron

When cooking with cast iron, be sure to season the surface first.
Always use gloves or oven mitts while cooking, as the surface of the iron will be hot.
Cook the recipe over an open fire using hot coals, not open flames. A fire that is too hot will burn the outside of your recipe and not cook the inside. Learn how to make a campfire for cooking.
Be sure to clean the cast iron with a rough vegetable scrubber, rinse, and dry thoroughly before storing.

Tips and Tricks

Make individual cookies, instead of one big chocolate chip cookie. Portion out single balls of dough and place them into the pan.
Another great way for everyone to make their own individual portions is to use tiny cast iron pans.
Don’t want to use refrigerated cookie dough? Using your favorite gooey chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, combine all the dry ingredients together at home. Pack the wet ingredients separately and mix everything at your campsite. Don’t forget to pack a large mixing bowl!

Last time that we made these skillet cookies we had a large group of boys hovering around the campsite who were all ready to dig in with their own forks! They are perfect for feeding a crowd!

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