
This magically delicious Lucky Charms Cookie Skillet transforms ordinary cookie dough into a festive St. Patrick's Day treat that will make everyone at your table feel like they've found the end of the rainbow. The combination of soft sugar cookie base studded with Lucky Charms cookie pieces and those iconic cereal marshmallows creates an irresistible dessert that's served warm right from the skillet.
I first created this recipe during a rainy March weekend when my nieces were visiting. What started as a fun kitchen experiment has become our annual St. Patrick's Day tradition. The girls now request it weeks in advance and love helping with the sprinkles and marshmallow placement.
- Sugar cookie mix: Plus package ingredients creates the perfect soft and chewy base
- Hot pink food coloring: Adds a vibrant contrast to the traditional green for a unique twist
- Rainbow sprinkles: Bring that magical leprechaun feel and add delightful texture
- Pillsbury Lucky Charms Cookie Dough: Chunks provide bursts of cereal cookie flavor
- Lucky Charms Just Magical Marshmallows: The star ingredient that makes this truly special
- Vanilla ice cream: Tinted green completes the St. Patrick's Day theme with cool creaminess
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Base:
- Mix the sugar cookie dough according to package instructions in a large bowl. Add several drops of hot pink food coloring and stir thoroughly until you achieve a vibrant pink color throughout. The color might look intense in the bowl but will mellow slightly during baking. Fold in a generous amount of rainbow sprinkles which will give your cookie base that festive confetti look when sliced.
- Create Your Cookie Skillet:
- Thoroughly coat a 9-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray ensuring you reach all the edges. Spread the pink sugar cookie dough evenly across the bottom of the skillet pressing gently with your fingertips or the back of a spoon for a level surface. Take 4 to 6 pieces of the Pillsbury Lucky Charms Cookie Dough and break them into chunks randomly placing them throughout the pink dough to create pockets of cereal cookie goodness.
- Add The Magic:
- Sprinkle a modest handful of Lucky Charms marshmallows across the top of your cookie dough. Use restraint with the marshmallows at this stage as they can become too toasty in the oven. Add another light sprinkle of rainbow jimmies for extra color and that leprechaun treasure feel. The marshmallows will puff slightly during baking then settle into the cookie creating little colorful treasure pockets.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Place your skillet in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes watching carefully toward the end. You want golden crispy edges while maintaining a slightly gooey center for that perfect cookie skillet texture. The skillet will continue cooking slightly after removal so err on the side of underbaking if you prefer an extra gooey center.
- Serve With Style:
- Allow the cookie skillet to cool for just 2 to 3 minutes then top with scoops of green tinted vanilla ice cream. The warm cookie will begin melting the ice cream creating magical rivers of creamy goodness. Finish with a generous handful of additional Lucky Charms marshmallows and rainbow sprinkles for that showstopping presentation.
The Lucky Charms marshmallows are what make this dessert truly special. I discovered that using these cereal marshmallows creates a unique texture experience that regular marshmallows just cannot match. They stay slightly crisp even when warmed giving you that authentic cereal experience in dessert form. My first batch was actually made with leftover cereal I had picked through for just the marshmallows until I discovered you could buy them separately.
Storing Your Cookie Skillet
This dessert is truly best enjoyed fresh from the oven but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Cover the cooled skillet tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftover portions to an airtight container. When ready to enjoy again simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until just warmed through. The texture won't be exactly the same as fresh but will still be delicious. I recommend adding fresh ice cream and toppings after reheating rather than storing with those components.
Creative Variations
While the hot pink and green color scheme offers a fun twist on traditional St. Patrick's Day colors you can absolutely customize this to your preference. Try using green food coloring in the cookie base with white vanilla ice cream for a more traditional look. Experiment with different flavor combinations by replacing the vanilla ice cream with mint chocolate chip for a refreshing contrast or pistachio for sophisticated flavor. You could even try chocolate cookie dough as your base for a completely different taste experience while still incorporating the Lucky Charms elements.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert creates a wonderful centerpiece for any St. Patrick's Day gathering. Serve it family style right in the skillet allowing everyone to dig in with spoons around the table. For a more elegant presentation cut portions and plate individually with a scoop of ice cream when serving guests. Pair with Irish coffee for adults or green milk for children to complete the themed experience. I often serve this with chocolate gold coins scattered around the table for an extra festive touch that nods to leprechaun treasure.

Making This Kid Friendly
Children absolutely love participating in the creation of this colorful dessert. Let little ones help add food coloring to the dough and watch the magic happen as it transforms. Assign them the important job of sprinkling the marshmallows and rainbow sprinkles on top before baking. For serving create a topping bar with different colored sprinkles additional marshmallows and even chocolate sauce allowing each child to customize their own portion. This interactive element makes the dessert even more special and creates lasting kitchen memories.

Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I keep the cookie skillet gooey?
To keep the cookie skillet gooey, bake it just until the edges are golden and the center is slightly undercooked. Letting it cool slightly before serving will also help maintain that perfect gooey texture.
- → Can I use a different ice cream flavor?
Absolutely! You can use any ice cream flavor to top your skillet. While tinted vanilla is a popular choice, mint or pistachio can add an extra flavor boost.
- → Are there alternatives to Lucky Charms marshmallows?
If you can't find Lucky Charms marshmallows, you can use any colorful mini marshmallows or even chop up larger marshmallows into smaller pieces for a similar effect.
- → How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat a slice in the oven for a few minutes until warm and gooey.
- → Can I customize the cookie dough color?
Yes! You can use any food coloring to tint the sugar cookie dough. While pink is ideal for this festive version, you can customize it to suit any theme or occasion.