Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (Pan or Skillet Baked)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 10-inch springform pan or a cast iron skillet (no need to oil a well-seasoned skillet, though).
2. Beat butter and sugars in the bowl of a mixer until well-blended. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
3. Add dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Add the chips, mixing by hand if needed.
4. Using the back of a spoon or a wet hand, spread the dough evenly in the pan or skillet.
5. Bake 20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool on a rack.
6. If using a skillet: serve right in the pan (preferably with a scoop of ice cream in the middle).
7. For a springform pan: run a knife around the edge and then release the sides of the pan, removing the bottom of the pan (or not – it’s up to you) and place on a serving platter or cake stand to serve. It can be made up to a day ahead using this option.

Optional Birthday Greeting Directions:

• Melt the chocolate chips in a baggie in the microwave at 30-second intervals.
• Push all of the melted chocolate to the corner of the baggie and snip off a tiny portion of the corner.
• Hold the baggie while twisting the top to push the chocolate out to write the birthday greeting on the cookie. Don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be perfect!