If you’ve been on the hunt for a dessert that captures the warmth of fall, the richness of chocolate, and the homey comfort of a classic cookie all in one, you’re about to fall in love with this Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe. Imagine a thick, gooey cookie baked right in a skillet, with the beautiful blend of real pumpkin and luscious dairy-free chocolate creating a treat that’s perfect for sharing, cozy nights, or impressing your friends with something both unique and utterly delicious. It’s gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and made with wholesome ingredients, delivering a dessert that feels indulgent yet satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients to make this Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe a star in your kitchen. Each one profoundly impacts the final flavor and texture, from the creamy cashew butter that provides richness, to the spices that give it that quintessential pumpkin pie vibe, and the chocolate chunks that melt into irresistible pockets of sweetness.
- Cashew butter (1/2 cup): Thick and creamy, this nut butter adds both fat and a subtle nutty flavor that keeps the cookie moist.
- Avocado oil (1/3 cup): A mild-flavored oil that helps bind the batter while keeping it dairy-free and paleo.
- Coconut sugar (2/3 cup): Adds natural sweetness and a slight caramel depth, balancing the pumpkin’s earthiness.
- Canned pumpkin (2/3 cup): The star of the show, providing moisture, color, and that wonderful autumnal flavor.
- Large eggs (2): They create structure and richness, ensuring the cookie bakes up tender but holds together beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors and lifts the sweetness naturally.
- Super fine almond flour (3 cups): This gluten-free flour forms the base, giving the cookie a delicate crumb and slightly nutty taste.
- Baking soda (1 tsp): Helps the cookie rise just enough for the perfect texture without being cakey.
- Fine sea salt (1/2 tsp): Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- Pumpkin pie spice (2 tsp): A cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that defines the fall flavor profile.
- Dairy-free chocolate bar, chopped (3 oz): Adds rich, melty chunks that create bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout.
- Dairy-free dark chocolate chips (1/2 cup): For even more pockets of chocolate delight in every bite.
How to Make Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Skillet and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. A warm oven sets the stage for a perfectly baked cookie. While it’s heating up, generously grease your skillet with butter or oil; this step ensures the cookie doesn’t stick and helps develop a golden crust along the edges that’s beyond tempting.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and add your cashew butter, avocado oil, and coconut sugar. Using either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat these together for about a minute until everything is smooth and combined. Then, mix in your canned pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla extract. This combination builds the cookie’s moist, tender foundation and brings in that beautiful, hearty pumpkin flavor.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough
In goes the almond flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and sea salt right into the wet mix. Use a spatula to fold everything together gently. You want a dough that’s thick yet soft enough to spread around the skillet without being runny. Finally, fold in the chopped chocolate bar and chocolate chips, which will create those magical pockets of melted chocolate in every bite.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Transfer your cookie dough to the greased skillet, spreading it evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges and a fully set center. If you notice the top starts to brown too quickly, tent it with foil to prevent burning. The aroma during baking will already have you drooling!
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let your skillet cool for about 30 minutes. This resting time allows the cookie to set and makes slicing a breeze. Serve warm with your favorite dairy-free ice cream or simply enjoy it straight from the skillet for a decadent treat that feels like a warm hug in dessert form.
How to Serve Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
For a bit of extra flair, sprinkle some toasted pumpkin seeds or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. A scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream melting over the warm cookie transforms this dessert into an unforgettable experience that says pure comfort.
Side Dishes
While this cookie skillet makes a dessert superstar on its own, pairing it with fresh fruit like sliced pears or spiced apple compote can add a refreshing contrast that brightens the richness of the dish beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the cookie skillet as a center-course dessert at your next gathering so everyone can dig in family-style. Another fun idea is to slice portions and layer them between whipped coconut cream in individual cups for an impromptu pumpkin-chocolate trifles. The possibilities are endless and delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookie covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This way, it maintains its soft, chewy texture without drying out.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you want a sweet fix, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, gently reheat your slice in the oven at 275ºF for about 10 minutes, or use a microwave in 15-second bursts, just until warm but not overheated. This reawakens the melting chocolate and soft pumpkin flavor perfectly.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! You can substitute the eggs with a flaxseed egg mixture (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal + 6 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes). Although it hasn’t been personally tested by us, many bakers find this works well in similar recipes.
What can I substitute for cashew butter?
You can use other thick nut or seed butters like almond or sunflower butter, but be aware that sunflower butter may cause some color changes due to its reaction with baking soda, though it’s perfectly safe to eat.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the use of almond flour ensures that this cookie skillet is gluten-free, making it ideal for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to enjoy a grain-free dessert.
Can I use regular chocolate instead of dairy-free?
Definitely! While the recipe calls for dairy-free chocolate to keep it paleo-friendly and dairy-free, you can use your favorite chocolate bar and chips if you’re not avoiding dairy.
How do I know when the cookie is done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges and a set center that’s no longer jiggle-heavy. The skillet cookie will firm up as it cools, so slight softness in the center right out of the oven is perfect.
Final Thoughts
This Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe is an absolute game-changer for pumpkin lovers and cookie fans alike. It’s cozy, indulgent, and packed with wholesome ingredients that make it feel special every time you take a bite. I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a go, whether it’s for a festive fall gathering or a weeknight treat. Once you try it, this skillet cookie will probably become one of your all-time favorites, too!
Print
Deep Dish Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Deep Dish Pumpkin Cookie Skillet is a decadent and wholesome dessert perfect for sharing. Made with almond flour, creamy cashew butter, and real pumpkin, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo-friendly. Rich with pumpkin pie spice and studded with dairy-free chocolate chunks, this dessert is both comforting and delicious, offering a perfect fall-inspired treat to enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cashew butter, thick and creamy
- 1/3 cup avocado oil (or mild olive oil, or melted & cooled coconut oil)
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 2/3 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups super fine almond flour (or cashew flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Chocolate
- 3 ounces dairy-free chocolate bar, chopped
- 1/2 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease a skillet with butter or oil to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cashew butter, avocado oil, and coconut sugar. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric mixer, beat this mixture for about one minute until completely blended. Next, add the canned pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla extract and mix on medium speed until smooth and uniform.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the almond flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and fine sea salt into the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold and combine all ingredients by hand until a dough forms.
- Add Chocolate: Fold in the chopped dairy-free chocolate bar and the dairy-free dark chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough. Then transfer the batter into the prepared greased skillet, spreading it evenly.
- Bake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Check after 30 minutes; the edges should be lightly golden and the center cooked through. If the top begins to brown too much, cover the skillet loosely with foil to prevent burning and continue baking.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and allow it to cool for about 30 minutes to set properly. Slice into servings and optionally serve with your favorite ice cream for an indulgent treat. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nut Butter: Use thick and creamy cashew butter; if it seems too runny, stir well before use. Other nut or seed butters can substitute, but sunflower butter may cause a greenish hue due to a reaction with baking soda (still safe to eat).
- Vegan Option: Replace eggs with 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons water. Let this mixture gel for about 5 minutes before use. This option is suggested but not tested by the original author.
- Flour Substitute: Super fine almond flour works best, but homemade finely ground cashew meal or tigernut flour may be used as a 1:1 substitute, although tigernut flour is untested.