There is a general stigma around cast iron skillets that has caused weary consumers to steer clear of this cookware legend. With its stainless steel and 'non-stick' skillet competition, it's not hard to understand why people may be skeptical. Luckily for you and every cook or baker you know, you can do everything with a cast iron skillet - some things you can't even use a stainless steel or nonstick skillet for.
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Now that we've had our celebratory moment, let's get real: cast iron skillets, contrary to what you may have heard, are the complete opposite of sticky. If you stumble upon a cast iron skillet that looks bare and stick-able, all it takes is a quick seasoning session, and you're good to go!
Before you start busting out spices and butter galore, remember what you're seasoning this specific skillet for. To prep a skillet for baking, simply spread your oil, butter, shortening, or ghee of choice over the entire pan and bake it for an hour. Let dry, and voila! You have a seasoned cast iron skillet ready for baking even the gooiest of treats. For a step-by-step guide to seasoning your skillet, check it out here.
You've got your seasoned skillet and are fired up about baking, but what will you make? Really, the question should be what can you not make? For your intro to cast iron baking, we've selected 15 of the best cast iron skillet desserts to whip up for your sweet tooth.
Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes To Make ASAP
1. Skillet Apple Pie
'Tis the season for apple and spice, and we've got the perfect apple pie recipe for you and your beloved cast iron skillet. No, this is not a figure-friendly dessert. But will you care after your first bite of this easy recipe? Nope.
Get the recipe here.
2. Giant Skillet Cinnamon Roll
What could possibly make this sugary breakfast or dessert treat even better? The addition of muscovado sugar plays off and enhances the flavoring of the brown sugar. You know what they say, don't diss it 'til you try this dessert recipe.
Get the recipe here.
3. Cast Iron Peach Crostata
While the shift from summer into fall progresses, have some friends over to celebrate the changing of the tides. Or, make any excuse to use your newly enchanted cast iron skillet for the good of the people. Top with whipped cream to finish it off.
Get the recipe here.
4. Skillet Apple Crisp
The best part about this recipe is its versatility. Cook it up as a sweet breakfast wake-up call on a Sunday morning, or bake it up for a dinner party. The choice is yours!
Get the recipe here.
5. Gooey Texas Sheet Cake
This chocolate cake isn't like the ones you're used to. The gooeyness has been amplified, taking away all need for a plate. Just dig into this skillet cake and get lost in the wonderful world of dark chocolate and fudge.
Get the recipe here.
6. S'mores Dip Recipe
Speaking of chocolate, what's more welcoming than a warm skillet of melted chocolate, gooey marshmallow, and a cinnamon graham cracker to dig in with? We can't think of anything, either.
Get the recipe here.
7. Pumpkin Gingerbread
This is the perfect recipe for when you're on a time crunch and may or may not have forgotten to bake something for the annual fall festival or a brunch get-together at the house.
With only two ingredients, it's foolproof and time-efficient. Get the recipe here.
8. Strawberries and Cream Skillet Cobbler
Since winter hasn't arrived, and to our southern friend fall hardly has, either. With that being said, there's no better time to revel in the season's past and add a creamy element to a year-round classic.
Get the recipe here.
9. Utterly Deadly Pecan Pie
What could possibly make a pecan pie any better than it already is? Baking it in a cast iron pan, that's what. Let all the flavors of baking past blend with your decadent creation, and feast on.
Get the recipe here.
10. Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler
What kind of list would this be if it didn't have a straight-from-your-mom's-oven peach cobbler recipe in it? This recipe is phenomenal due to its versatility. When the seasons begin to noticeably change and peaches become less accessible, just switch up the fruit, and everything else stays the same, including a few scoops of vanilla ice cream. That's what you call a classic, folks.
Get the recipe here.
11. Skillet Blondie for Two
Because two is better than one when it comes to this small-batch recipe. When the nights are cold and you want a sweet treat to warm you up, invite your best friend over for a down-home, deep-dish skillet blondie to share.
Get the recipe here.
12. Cast Iron Cherry Berry Cobbler
Anything that comes out of an oven is good year-round. Whether it's hot or cold outside, cobblers and pies fresh off the racks are soul-soothers in the heat of summer and the dead of winter.
The combination of seasonal fruits playing off each other in this batch of yum are the ingredients to making dreams come true.
Get the recipe here.
13. Reeses Nachos
Structure and organization are for the birds in this cluster of chocolate chunks, peanut butter, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Plus, the end result gives you fall colors galore. Bust this out as a Halloween treat or for the last day of fall.
Get the recipe here.
14. Skillet Brownies
Personal-sized desserts are all the rage. For one, you can ensure the lack of overeating because you only have one single batch, not an entire pan. Secondly, they're too adorable to not share with friends and family over the coming months.
Get the recipe here.
15. Butterscotch Pumpkin Pie
There's nothing that screams fall more than pumpkin. This recipe gives a tasty kick to the traditional pumpkin pie with the addition of butterscotch. Can you say yum?
Get the recipe here.
This post was originally published on March 31, 2018.
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