Pizookie from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse features a warm, freshly baked cookie base topped with rich, creamy vanilla ice cream, available in assorted flavors like classic chocolate chip, peanut butter, and brownie, delivering a decadent blend of gooey, sweet, and cool textures.
Equipments
- Oven
- Mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or electric mixer
- Baking pan or skillet (individual-sized, often cast iron or ceramic)
- Ice cream scoop
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- Vanilla ice cream
Using unsalted butter is essential for controlling the salt level in your Pizookie, ensuring a balanced sweetness. Brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor, while granulated sugar contributes to a crisp texture. Fresh eggs and vanilla extract enhance the richness and aroma of the cookie base, making it more indulgent. Measuring the flour accurately with cups and spoons prevents a dense or dry cookie, and semisweet chocolate chips provide the signature gooey sweetness. Your homemade Pizookie, inspired by BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, offers assorted flavors like classic chocolate chip, peanut butter, and brownie for a warm, decadent dessert topped with creamy vanilla ice cream.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Grease individual baking pans/skillets.
- Press cookie dough evenly into each pan/skillet, filling about halfway.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden but center is still soft.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Top each warm cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Serve immediately.
Substitution
Pizookie from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse copycat menu offers a warm, gooey cookie base topped with creamy vanilla ice cream, with flavor variations like classic chocolate chip, peanut butter, and brownie to suit different preferences. If you don't have unsalted butter, you can substitute with salted butter but reduce added salt slightly to balance flavors. Cast iron skillets are ideal for even baking, but ceramic or other oven-safe pans work well too; just adjust baking time based on pan thickness. When measuring flour, spoon it lightly into the measuring cup and level off to avoid dense cookies with too much flour. Your choice of ice cream can vary--feel free to pick your favorite flavor or brand to customize the final dessert experience.
Tips
Make sure your butter is properly softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth, creamy mixture when creaming with sugars. Avoid overmixing the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent a tough cookie texture. Baking time is crucial; the edges should be golden while the center remains soft for that gooey pizookie consistency. When topping your warm cookie with vanilla ice cream, serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between hot and cold textures.
Nutritions
A BJ's Pizookie combines high calories and sugars from its buttery cookie base and sweet vanilla ice cream, making it an indulgent dessert option. With 1 cup of butter and 2 cups of chocolate chips, it contains significant saturated fat and added sugars, contributing to a rich, energy-dense treat. The inclusion of eggs and flour adds some protein and carbohydrates, but the overall nutritional profile is skewed towards sweets and fats. When enjoying your Pizookie, balancing it with moderate portion sizes will help manage calorie intake.
Storage
To store leftover Pizookie, wrap the cookie base tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days to keep it moist and flavorful. You can warm the cookie base in the oven at 350degF (175degC) for 5-7 minutes before serving to restore its gooey texture. Keep your vanilla ice cream separately in the freezer to maintain its creamy consistency and scoop it fresh when ready to serve.
Variation or Alternatives
Swap semisweet chocolate chips for white chocolate or butterscotch chips to introduce a different sweetness profile. Use peanut butter or almond butter in place of some butter to add richness and a nutty flavor. Bake the dough in a cast iron skillet for a crispier edge while maintaining a gooey center. You can substitute vanilla ice cream with caramel or coffee-flavored ice cream to complement the warm cookie base uniquely.
Allergies
Pizookie from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse contains common allergens such as dairy from butter and vanilla ice cream, eggs, and gluten from all-purpose flour. Chocolate chips may also contain traces of soy and nuts, depending on the manufacturer. You should avoid this dessert if you have allergies to any of these ingredients or consult for possible substitutions.
Why this recipe?
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Pizookie in assorted flavors combines the warmth of a freshly baked cookie with the creaminess of ice cream, creating a unique dessert experience that appeals to diverse taste preferences. Fans appreciate the rich, gooey texture and customizable flavors ranging from classic chocolate chip to decadent caramel, making it a memorable treat. Making a copycat version allows your kitchen to replicate this beloved dessert, offering a cost-effective and convenient option that brings the same indulgence to your home. You'll enjoy the satisfaction of crafting a dessert that perfectly balances sweetness and comfort, elevating your dessert menu or personal gatherings.