13 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes (2024)

13 dessert recipes that require a cast iron skillet.

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Rabi Abonour

13 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes (1)

Rabi Abonour is a planner specializing in transportation, but has also been a photojournalist, writer, and editor for several online and print publications.

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Updated October 18, 2018

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13 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes (2)

A cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile (and misunderstood) pieces of cookware around. I use mine for any number of tasks, from searing steaks and sautéing vegetables to frying chicken. But cast iron isn't just for savory dishes—it also makes a perfect vessel for baking all sorts of desserts. There's no better way to get a crispy edge on a giant cookie or caramelize the fruit for an upside down cake. From an easy chocolate cake and plum cobbler to kanafeh, we've rounded up 13 of our favorite cast iron skillet desserts.

One quick tip: to ensure that your baked goods don't stick, use a properly seasoned pan. Seasoning cast iron is easy, and we have a handy guide to help you out.

13 Easy Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What foods are best cooked in a cast iron skillet? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Cast Iron Pans
  • Pan-seared veggies and proteins.
  • Fatty foods like bacon.
  • Burgers.
  • Grilled cheese sandwiches.
  • Pizza.
  • Eggs (yes, you read that right!)
  • Potatoes.
  • Cornbread and other breads.
Aug 30, 2022

What should be the first meal in a cast iron skillet? ›

Start with Vegetables

Any seared, sautéed, or pan-roasted vegetable recipe is a great place to start breaking in your skillet.

What can I cook in a 12 inch cast iron skillet? ›

The 12 inch skillet is big enough to roast a chicken, sauté pork chops, sear steaks, brown a pound of sausage, or make a big round of cornbread. I can even use it on my grill! Lodge skillets come pre-seasoned, but that's just a good base.

What foods Cannot be cooked in cast iron? ›

4 Foods You Shouldn't Cook in Cast Iron
  • Acidic foods (unless you make it snappy) ...
  • Fish (particularly delicate varieties) ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Skillet brownies (if you just fried a batch of chicken last night) ...
  • A lot more (if your skillet isn't properly seasoned)
Mar 11, 2023

What is the first thing you should cook in cast iron? ›

We recommend starting with vegetables as they are more forgiving than most proteins - they taste delicious and won't stick to your pan! Keep in mind that using a little bit of oil is necessary to help to keep food from sticking.

Do cakes bake faster in cast iron? ›

The cake was done in 65 to 70 minutes. If you bake it in a tube pan, it will take 75 to 80 minutes, as that pan is taller. So, cast iron pan cakes bake more quickly, I learned. The cake rested in the pan overnight, untouched, and it took a lot of willpower not to pinch off the crust.

What can I cook in my cast iron casserole dish? ›

Some cast iron casserole recipes you can make include:
  1. Braised beef, braised lamb shanks.
  2. Pulled pork, beef short ribs, and other fall-off-the-bone dishes.
  3. Soups, stews, chowders, and chilis like chili con carne.
  4. No-knead bread.
  5. Pot roast with carrots and potatoes.
  6. Slow cooked salsa verde chicken.

Can you put a cast-iron skillet in the microwave? ›

While cast iron is multipurpose, it cannot be used efficiently on glass top stoves due to the inability to transfer heat. It should never be used in a microwave oven. Cast iron can add up to 20 times the amount of iron into your food — great for people with iron deficiencies. You can cook with less oil in cast iron.

Should I wash my cast iron skillet before first use? ›

When it comes to new and used skillets — a little soap and water is a good thing. This first wash removes factory residue or rust bits. Make sure you rinse and dry the pan well after this first washing. You'll likely only need to wash your skillet with soap once or twice a year if you take good care of it.

What to do once you get a cast iron skillet? ›

How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet Before First Use
  1. Step 1: Wash the skillet. Wash the skillet with warm soapy water to get rid of any dirt, dust or buildup. ...
  2. Step 2: Coat the skillet with oil. ...
  3. Step 3: Heat skillet in the oven for an hour. ...
  4. Step 4: Let it sit in the oven while it cools. ...
  5. Step 5: Wipe out the excess oil.
Sep 5, 2022

How do you wash a cast iron skillet? ›

How to Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet
  1. Add hot water: Wash by hand using hot water and a sponge or stiff brush. ...
  2. Scrub off stuck-on bits: Scrub with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water, then rinse or wipe with a paper towel.
  3. Dry the skillet: Thoroughly towel dry the skillet, or dry it on the stove over low heat.

What is the number 1 cast iron skillet? ›

Best Overall: Victoria 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

It is hard to beat the "gold standard" Lodge pan, but the Victoria skillet performed just as well and was even a bit more refined. The pour spouts are wider and deeper than the Lodge, so there were no drips when we poured oil from the pan.

What is the secret to cooking with cast iron? ›

For one, cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth and foods like eggs may get stuck. For the best results, make sure to keep your cast iron pan seasoned, and preheat the skillet for a few minutes before you add any food to it. This allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents most food from sticking. Add fat as needed.

What's the difference between a cast iron skillet and a cast iron pan? ›

A skillet has the same functionality and design as a frying pan. Some cooking professionals are more likely to use the term "skillet" for cast iron skillets. Skillets and frying pans are two terms that are often used interchangeably, and in most cases, they refer to the same type of pan.

What is the best use of cast iron skillet? ›

That consistent heat makes cast-iron pans ideal for searing proteins and achieving that coveted outer “crust” in dishes like Katie Lee's Cast-Iron Skillet Porterhouse Steak. It also helps with even browning in dishes like Cast-Iron Skillet Provencal Pork Chops and Potatoes (pictured up top).

Is it OK to cook in cast iron everyday? ›

The type of iron that comes from cast iron cooking is nonheme iron and is safe to consume. It is the same type of iron as found in plant sources such as beans, spinach and tofu. Children one to three years old only need 7mg iron daily, so if it's best not to cook every meal for children this age in cast iron cookware.

Is cast iron the healthiest to cook on? ›

You'll use less oil, avoid harmful chemicals, and get a little extra iron in your diet. The reasons why we love a classic cast-iron skillet include but are in no way limited to the following: Pizza. Burgers.

Does food taste better when cooked in cast iron? ›

Cast iron cookware makes food taste better.

Thanks to cast iron's incredible heat retention, there's no better way to get crispy fried chicken, flavorful roasted veggies, or a perfect loaf of bread.

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