Our Best Cast Iron Skillet Desserts

By Samantha Lande

February 28, 2020

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Credit: Heather Dodson

Cast iron skillets have many uses, but one of our favorites is using them to make dessert! Whether it be a gooey skillet cookie or a deep dish pie, cast iron desserts give a nice crunchy exterior with a warm melted center. There's something rustic and inviting about a cast iron recipe that makes you want to dig right into the pan. What are you waiting for? Try one of these 13 dishes guaranteed to satisfy your cast iron skillet dessert cravings.

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Skillet Nutella® and Cream Cheese Brownies

Credit: Bellapepper

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This decadent deep dish brownie is as simple as it is delicious. You'll prepare packaged brownie mix (Ghirardelli preferred) with walnuts and then stir in a creamy mixture of Nutella and cream cheese before pouring it into the skillet. Once this cast iron dessert comes out of the oven, it'll be hard to keep people away.

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Skillet Apple Brownie

Credit: Nobody'sGirl

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This apple pie meets blondie dessert is a crowdpleaser and a perfectly simple dish to whip up in a cast iron for a taste of fall. Some reviewers subbed out the ground cloves (for its strong flavor) but few could keep this dish around for more than a few days, it was that popular.

Related: 9 Easy Fall Desserts Anyone Can Make

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Skillet Peach Pie

Credit: Julie

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When peaches are at their prime, make this skillet version of a peach pie complete with perfectly browned crust and juicy in-season fruit. For a twist on the original, ARVILLILAR recommends using biscuits instead of pie crust.

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Chocolate Peppermint Skillet Cookie

Credit: FOODBEAST

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This skillet cookie may be decadent but it's also vegan! The recipe contains no eggs and subs in chocolate almond milk and vegan butter. Just make sure to use vegan marshmallows for an entirely plant-based dessert. Crushed candy canes and a sugary glaze on top make this skillet cookie irresistible.

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Crustless Cranberry Pie

Credit: bellepepper

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You can whip up this crustless cranberry pie in no time, mixing everything together and pouring into the cast iron skillet. You may not intentionally add a crust, but the cast iron gives the pie a nice crispy edge. The cranberries make it a perfect holiday dessert or it even works great as a morning coffee cake. Lynne Luke says, "This was so easy to make and a perfect balance of sweetness against the tart cranberries."

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Campfire S'mores Smash

Credit: Linda T

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Pack up your cast iron skillet and take it to the great outdoors for this twist on s'mores. Recipe creator Nikki makes hers right over the fire, melting the butter and mini marshmallows before pulling it off the fire to mix in the graham crackers and chocolate.

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Blackberry Cobbler

Credit: Heather Dodson

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When berries are in peak season, there is nothing better than throwing them into a cobbler with a scoop of ice cream on top. In fact, ChadG says "With family stretched across 5 southern states cobbler is a tradition, and this recipe certainly rates as good as, if not better than, most family recipes."

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Uncle Drew's Skillet Brownies

Credit: Celtgirl60

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There's nothing like classic brownies and Uncle Drew takes his version into the cast iron skillet to get that crunchy exterior and moist center. Flour, sugar, butter, cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla extract make up this dessert that thedailygourmet calls "Certainly fudgy and decadent!" Top with coconut or chopped nuts for added texture.

Related: 6 Stuffed Brownies That Utterly Destroy Your Willpower

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Loaded Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Credit: jaybu

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This cookie loaded with chocolate chips, oats, and pecans are what skillet cookie dreams are made of. A cookie like this is perfect for birthday celebrations or just slicing a little bit at a time straight out of the skillet while it's warm. Add a scoop of ice cream for extra decadence.

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Old Fashioned Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Credit: Anonymous

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This classic dessert is even better when made in a cast iron skillet to really caramelize the pineapple and cherries at the bottom of the pan (and on top of the cake). Several reviewers suggest adding a few dollops of sour cream to make the cake as moist as possible.

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Grandma's Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Credit: Kim's Cooking Now

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Apple pies can be difficult to make but this version made with pre-rolled pie crust changes that. Reviewer Johanna Louise Cohen says, "I never knew it could be so easy to make at home!"

Related: 9 Creative Ways to Decorate Eye-Popping Pie Crusts

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Skillet Strawberry Pancake

Credit: rupertsruth

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Who says pancakes are just for breakfast? This pancake is almost cake-like and would make a great dessert, especially if topped with powdered sugar or a scoop of ice cream.

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Vegan Double Chocolate-Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie

Credit: jaybu

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Those eating vegan can still indulge in a gooey and rich tasting skillet cookie. This version is super chocolatey, using a whole bag of vegan chocolate chips along with cocoa powder and a scoop of peanut butter.

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Maple-Pear Tarte Tatin

Credit: WestCoastMom

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This recipe couldn't be simpler, but it will wow whoever's at your dinner table. Just poach pears in butter, make a quick maple-caramel sauce, and top with puff pastry. Good thing it's easy to make — people will request this deceptively easy dessert again and again.

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Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae

Credit: kelli

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Bake this enormous chocolate chip cookie like a pie, then serve it with ice cream and all your favorite sundae toppings while it's still warm in the pan. You'll be dreaming about this dessert for a long time afterwards.

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By Samantha Lande