Candy Cookie Skillet

This enchanting Lucky Charms Cookie Skillet turns plain cookie dough into a fun St. Patrick's Day sweet that'll make everyone at your table think they've hit the jackpot. When you mix a soft sugar cookie bottom with Lucky Charms cookie bits and those famous little cereal marshmallows, you get a mouthwatering treat that comes straight to the table hot from the pan.

I came up with this one during a drizzly March weekend when my nieces came to visit. Our little kitchen play session has now turned into something we do every St. Patrick's Day. The kids start asking about it weeks early and they love throwing on sprinkles and placing marshmallows just right.

• Sugar cookie mix: With the stuff listed on the package, it makes a perfectly chewy foundation
• Hot pink food coloring: Makes everything pop against the green parts for something different
• Rainbow sprinkles: Add that leprechaun magic feel and give it a nice crunch
• Pillsbury Lucky Charms Cookie Dough: Little pieces give you bursts of cereal cookie taste
• Lucky Charms Just Magical Marshmallows: The key thing that makes this treat stand out
• Vanilla ice cream: Colored green to match the St. Patrick's theme and cool everything down

Easy Steps to Follow

Mix Your Bottom Layer:

Stir up the sugar cookie dough following the box directions in a big bowl. Drop in some hot pink food coloring and mix it all up until you get a bright pink all the way through. Don't worry if it looks too bright now - it'll calm down when it bakes. Toss in lots of rainbow sprinkles to give your cookie base that party look when you cut into it.

Set Up Your Pan:

Spray a 9-inch cast iron pan really well, getting into all the corners. Spread the pink cookie dough across the bottom, patting it down with your fingers or a spoon until it's flat. Break up 4 to 6 pieces of the Pillsbury Lucky Charms Cookie Dough and scatter them through the pink dough to create yummy pockets of cereal cookie flavor.

Sprinkle Some Fun:

Scatter a small handful of Lucky Charms marshmallows over your cookie dough. Don't go overboard with marshmallows now since they can get too brown in the oven. Add another light layer of rainbow sprinkles for extra color and that treasure chest feel. The marshmallows will puff up while baking then sink into the cookie, making little colorful spots throughout.

Cook It Just Right:

Put your pan in a 350°F oven that's already hot and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, keeping an eye on it near the end. You want crispy edges but a soft middle for that perfect skillet cookie feel. Remember the pan keeps cooking stuff even after you take it out, so it's better to undercook it if you want it extra gooey.

Finish With Flair:

Let the cookie cool for just 2 or 3 minutes then put scoops of green vanilla ice cream on top. As the warm cookie starts to melt the ice cream, you'll get awesome streams of creamy goodness. Top it all off with more Lucky Charms marshmallows and rainbow sprinkles to really wow everyone.

Those Lucky Charms marshmallows really make this dessert awesome. I found out that using these cereal bits creates a totally different texture than regular marshmallows could ever give you. They stay a bit crunchy even when warm, so you get that real cereal feeling in dessert form. My first try was actually with cereal I'd picked through just to get the marshmallows until I found out you can buy them on their own.

Keeping Your Cookie Fresh

This treat tastes best right out of the oven, but you can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Just wrap the cooled pan tightly with plastic wrap or put leftover pieces in a sealed container. When you want more, just warm single pieces in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until they're just heated through. It won't feel exactly like it did fresh but will still taste great. I'd add new ice cream and toppings after warming rather than storing everything together.

Fun Ways To Switch It Up

While the hot pink and green colors give a fun spin on St. Patrick's Day, you can totally change things to fit what you like. Try using green food coloring in the cookie instead with plain vanilla ice cream for a more traditional look. Play around with different tastes by switching vanilla ice cream for mint chocolate chip for a cool contrast or pistachio for something fancy. You could even use chocolate cookie dough as your base for a completely different flavor while still keeping the Lucky Charms parts.

How To Serve It Up

This dessert makes a great table centerpiece for any St. Patrick's Day party. Bring it to the table right in the pan and let everyone dig in with spoons together. For something fancier, cut it into pieces and serve on plates with a scoop of ice cream when you have guests over. Pair it with Irish coffee for grown-ups or green milk for kids to complete the theme. I often put chocolate gold coins around the table as an extra festive touch that reminds everyone of leprechaun gold.

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Getting Kids Involved

Kids really love helping make this colorful dessert. Let the little ones add food coloring to the dough and watch their faces light up as it changes color. Give them the important job of putting marshmallows and rainbow sprinkles on top before baking. When it's time to eat, set up a topping station with different colored sprinkles, extra marshmallows, and maybe some chocolate sauce so each kid can make their portion special. This hands-on part makes the dessert even more fun and builds kitchen memories they'll remember.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I keep the center soft?

Bake the skillet until the outside is just golden and the middle is still a little undone. Letting it sit for a few minutes before digging in helps it stay soft too.

→ What ice cream should I use?

Go with any flavor you like. Vanilla is a classic, but mint or pistachio can bring a fun twist.

→ Can I swap out the marshmallows?

If you can’t find Lucky Charms marshmallows, any mini marshmallows or cut-up larger ones will work just fine.

→ What’s the best way to save leftovers?

Seal any extras in an airtight container and refrigerate. Warm up pieces in the oven to bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

→ Can I change the dough color?

For sure! Use any food coloring to match the theme or mood you’re going for—it’s simple to swap the pink for other shades.