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Cast Iron Skillet Brownies

These Cast Iron Skillet Brownies are moist and fudgy with crispy edges. They’re perfect with vanilla ice cream and make an insanely decadent dessert with salted caramel and pecans!

a stack of cast iron brownies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and pecans

The cast iron skillet has to be one of the most fabulous tools one can have in the kitchen. I always feel so rustic whenever I slide mine out, which these days happens more and more often. Who needs a sprayed-on nonstick pan for your favorite brownie recipe when you’ve got a well-worn and seasoned cast iron skillet?

Mine has always been used for things like bacon and eggs, pancakes and the occasional cornbread. But I find myself using it more and more for things like rustic pot pies, pear tarts, skillet cookies, and even these cast iron skillet brownies.

a pan of cast iron skillet brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a wood table

This skillet brownie recipe produces brownies that are on the fudgy side. The addition of espresso or strong coffee really brings out the rich chocolate flavor and adds a nice coffee flavor. You can substitute water for the espresso if you prefer; they’re delicious either way!

After baking your brownies in a cast iron skillet, I’m certain you won’t go back to a regular baking pan. The edges have a crispiness to them that a glass baking dish just can’t achieve, and it’s such a nice contrast to the soft, moist center.

a stack of cast iron brownies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and pecans with a jar of caramel sauce

Do Cast Iron Skillet Brownies need to be refrigerated?

I don’t suggest refrigerating your brownies. The low humidity in the refrigerator can change the texture and make them dry. Cast Iron Skillet Brownies taste great at room temperature, too, so keeping them tightly wrapped on the counter makes them easily accessible (could be a positive or a negative, depending on how you look at it)!

a closeup of a pan of cast iron skillet brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

How long will Cast Iron Skillet Brownies stay fresh?

Cast iron brownies will stay freshest if they’re stored in another container – preferably airtight – at room temperature. They’ll last at least a few days (and as long as a week) but they’ll always taste best the sooner they’re eaten. We almost always eat ours within a day at most, which isn’t hard to do in this house.

If you prefer to store them right in the cast iron skillet, make sure to wrap them tightly and use two layers of aluminum foil.

a stack of cast iron brownies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce dripping down the sides, and pecans

Can you freeze Cast Iron Skillet Brownies?

If you don’t think you’ll finish your cast iron brownies within a few days, it’s best to freeze them. Cut them into squares then wrap each one first in saran wrap then in aluminum foil. Pop them in a resealable plastic freezer bag and enjoy them for up to 3 months.

To enjoy them from the freezer, unwrap everything but the saran wrap and allow them to thaw for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then either pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to heat them or enjoy them at room temperature.

a pan of cast iron brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a wood table with a denim napkin and spoon

Skillet Brownies Variations

  • Add mint chips or chopped nuts to the batter
  • Add a swirl of caramel sauce before baking (about 1/4 cup spooned on across the top, then use a knife to swirl it together)
  • Add a swirl of melted peanut butter, using the same method as the caramel sauce, above
  • Make cheesecake brownies using a cast iron skillet in place of the pan
  • Top with fresh raspberries and hot fudge
a stack of cast iron brownies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and pecans

Cast Iron Skillet Brownies

Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

These Cast Iron Skillet Brownies are moist and fudgy with crispy edges. They're perfect with vanilla ice cream and make an insanely decadent dessert with salted caramel and pecans!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp espresso or very strong coffee (can substitute with water if you prefer)
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder, preferably Dutch
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar until it's thoroughly mixed. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix it again until it's thoroughly mixed.
  3. Mix the dry ingredients together in another bowl, then add it to the wet ingredients and mix just until it's combined.
  4. Pour the mixture into a large cast iron skillet (or a 13×9 pan) and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs.
  5. Cool the brownies to room temperature then dust with the powdered sugar. Serve with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce, hot fudge, and/or chopped pecans, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 569Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 314mgCarbohydrates: 81gFiber: 2gSugar: 65gProtein: 6g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 1/22/2021. Amounts based on 8 servings.

Kristy Bernardo
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Stephen

Saturday 25th of February 2023

This recipe rocks my socks off. Rave reviews from everyone whose tried it, best brownie recipe I’ve found.

Evil Goat

Wednesday 3rd of August 2016

My five sisters would bake brownies in a cast iron skillet for the 10 of us....but not one of them remembered the recipe....this is close....I made it for them when we had a gathering and they all said..it was good...very good....ha..age and tongues get old....bake this up and watch it disappear...good flavor, easy to make

Shelby

Wednesday 20th of March 2013

i made these amazing brownies in my cast iron skillet and my husband said they were the best brownies in the world! thanks for the recipe.

the wicked noodle

Monday 25th of March 2013

That's so great, Shelby, thanks for letting me know! ox

Deborah

Tuesday 8th of January 2013

What temp did you use? Am I just blind and missing it?

the wicked noodle

Tuesday 8th of January 2013

350, Deborah! :)

Tony Lee

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

Brownies are like heaven to me! They are something that I love to eat even if I am so full and can`t fit anything else in.

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