Why You Will Love This Healthy Skillet Cookie Recipe

This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a game-changer for anyone seeking delicious, guilt-free treats. Here’s why this vegan chocolate chunk skillet cookie will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen:

• Edible Raw Cookie Dough: Yes, you read that right! Because this recipe uses no eggs and only wholesome, plant-based ingredients, the dough is perfectly safe (and utterly delicious) to eat raw. This is a huge bonus for any cookie dough enthusiast!
• Truly Healthy Chocolate Dessert: Forget the idea that healthy desserts can’t be indulgent. This recipe proves that rich, chocolatey goodness can come with nutritional benefits. It’s a fantastic addition to your collection of genuinely healthy chocolate recipes.
• Simple, Wholesome Pantry Ingredients: No obscure ingredients here! You’ll likely find everything you need already stocked in your pantry, making this a convenient option for last-minute baking.
• Packed with Plant-Based Protein and Fiber: Thanks to the inclusion of chickpeas and oats, this cookie delivers a substantial boost of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. This means it’s more satisfying and helps regulate blood sugar, unlike traditional sugar-laden desserts.
• Naturally Sweetened & Refined Sugar-Free: We swap out refined sugars for the natural sweetness of maple syrup, a lower-glycemic alternative that still provides that perfect touch of sweetness without the sugar crash.
• Gluten-Free and Lower in Carbs: Made with naturally gluten-free ingredients like oats and chickpeas, this cookie is perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake without compromising on taste.
• Incredibly Easy to Make: With minimal steps and no complicated techniques, this skillet cookie is super easy, even for beginner bakers. You just blend, stir, and bake!
• Authentic Chocolate Chip Cookie Taste: Despite its healthy profile, this cookie doesn’t skimp on flavor. It delivers that classic, irresistible chocolate chip cookie taste and texture – chewy, rich, and utterly satisfying – but without all the butter and excessive sugar.
• Genetically Good For You: This isn’t just “not bad” for you; it’s genuinely beneficial! With fiber for digestion, protein for satiety, and antioxidants from dark chocolate and cinnamon, this cookie supports your well-being.
• Deeply Delicious and Satisfying: Most importantly, this cookie is DEE-LISH. It will totally satisfy your sweet treat craving, leaving you feeling happy and nourished, not guilty.

Step 2: Blend the Dough Base. Place the prepared chickpeas (drained, rinsed, and de-skinned), rolled oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a food processor or high-speed blender. Process for about 1 minute initially.

Step 3: Achieve Smoothness. Scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are incorporated. Continue to process for another 1-2 minutes, or until the batter is completely smooth and creamy, with no visible oat or chickpea chunks. This smooth texture is key to a truly delightful cookie.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate. While your dough is blending, take your dark chocolate bar and chop it into irregular chunks. A standard 3-ounce bar will typically yield about ½ cup of chopped chocolate. While you can certainly buy pre-made chocolate chunks or chips, chopping a quality bar yourself often results in superior flavor and a more impressive “chunk” in your cookie. It genuinely takes only a couple of minutes and is totally worth the effort for that rich, melty chocolate experience!

Step 5: Incorporate Chocolate. Once the dough is smooth, remove the food processor blade and gently stir the chocolate chunks into the batter by hand using a spatula. This prevents the chocolate from being over-processed. Feel free to add a little more chocolate if you desire – because, let’s be honest, you can never have too much chocolate!

Step 6: Prepare for Baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet (or an 8-inch skillet for a thicker cookie) with a touch of avocado or olive oil. You can also line your pan with unbleached parchment paper for an oil-free option and easy removal. Transfer the thick cookie dough into the prepared skillet. It will be quite dense, so use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom of the skillet.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection. Bake the cookie in your preheated oven. For an 8-inch skillet, it will take approximately 18 minutes. If using a 10-inch skillet, the cooking time will be closer to 15 minutes. The key is to bake until the edges are just set and lightly golden, but the center is still a bit jiggly. This ensures a wonderfully gooey middle. Remember, the cast iron retains heat, so the cookie will continue to cook slightly even after it’s removed from the oven.

Debra’s Pro Tips for the Perfect Skillet Cookie

To ensure your vegan chocolate chunk skillet cookie turns out absolutely perfect every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• For the Smoothest Dough: Do not skip the step of rubbing the chickpeas with a dish towel to remove their skins. This extra minute or two of effort makes a significant difference in achieving a silky, creamy cookie dough batter that melts in your mouth.
• Choose Quality Peanut Butter: Always opt for organic peanut butter. Peanuts are a crop that is often heavily sprayed with pesticides. Natural, organic peanut butter contains only peanuts (and sometimes salt), avoiding unnecessary additives and hydrogenated oils. Before using a new jar, make sure to thoroughly mix it to redistribute the natural oils and prevent overly oily or dry sections. Storing unopened jars upside down in your pantry can make this mixing job much easier when you’re ready to use them.
• DO NOT OVERBAKE: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for a truly gooey skillet cookie. Since there are no raw eggs or animal products, there are no ingredients in this dough that you need to worry about eating raw. Therefore, it’s always better to err on the side of underdone. A slightly jiggly center is ideal for that rich, fudgy, and gooey experience. Overbaking will lead to a drier, more cake-like cookie.
• Check Your Oats for Glyphosate: Oats can sometimes be sprayed with glyphosate (a common herbicide) during harvesting. To ensure you’re consuming the cleanest ingredients, check with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for trusted brands that are certified glyphosate-free. Organic oats are generally a safer bet.
• Fancy It Up with Date Syrup: If you’re feeling a little extra fancy and want to add another layer of natural sweetness and complexity, drizzle some date syrup over the warm cookie right before serving. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also beautifully complement the chocolate.
• For Easier Slicing: If your skillet cookie is too warm and gooey to cut into neat slices (which is a good problem to have!), simply place the entire skillet in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This cooling time will help the cookie firm up, making clean cuts much easier.
• Storage Guidelines: Store your leftover skillet cookie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For extended freshness, it can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 days. For longer storage, slices can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat for a warm treat.

Vegan Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie

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