Baking with Cast Iron: How to Make Perfect Cornbread, Biscuits, and More

Few kitchen tools offer the rustic charm and performance of a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. While it’s often celebrated for searing steaks or frying chicken, cast iron also shines in the oven, especially when baking. From crispy-edged cornbread to sky-high biscuits, cast iron delivers a heat-retaining surface that gives baked goods a delicious golden crust and even bake.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make perfect cornbread, biscuits, and other baked treats using cast iron, plus tips to get the most out of your pan.

Why Bake with Cast Iron?

Cast iron excels at baking for three key reasons:

1. Even Heat Distribution
   Once preheated, cast iron holds and distributes heat evenly, ensuring uniform cooking from edge to center.

2. Crispy Crusts
   That heavy-duty surface helps create the perfect outer texture—whether you want crisp-bottomed biscuits or golden-brown cornbread edges.

3. Oven-to-Table Versatility
   A well-made cast iron skillet looks just as good on the dinner table as it performs in the oven. Fewer dishes, more flavor.

Let's dive into a few staple baking recipes that bring out the very best in your cast iron skillet—where humble ingredients meet timeless technique for unforgettable flavor.

Perfect Cornbread in Cast Iron

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp sugar (optional, Southern-style tends to skip it)

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 eggs

• ¼ cup melted butter (plus 1 tbsp for the pan)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Skillet
   Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 425°F. Heating the pan ahead ensures a crispy crust.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add Wet Ingredients
   Stir in buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter just until combined—don’t overmix.

4. Grease the Pan
   Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven, add 1 tbsp of butter, and swirl to coat the surface.

5. Bake
   Pour batter into the skillet. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve
   Let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm with butter or honey.

Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits in Cast Iron

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed

• ¾ cup cold buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven to 450°F
   Lightly grease or butter a 10-inch cast iron skillet.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients
   Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.

3. Cut in the Butter
   Use a pastry cutter or your hands to blend in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Add Buttermilk
   Stir in the buttermilk until just combined. Dough will be shaggy.

5. Shape and Cut
   Turn dough out on a floured surface. Pat into a ¾-inch thick round. Cut biscuits with a floured cutter or glass.

6. Arrange in Skillet
   Place biscuits snugly in the skillet so they rise up instead of out.

7. Bake and Enjoy
   Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown. Brush with melted butter for extra flavor.

Other Great Cast Iron Bakes

• Skillet Cinnamon Rolls
  Use your favorite dough recipe and bake rolls tightly packed in a buttered skillet. The cast iron helps caramelize the bottoms perfectly.

• Fruit Cobbler or Crumble
  Cast iron is ideal for juicy fruit fillings. Try peach, blackberry, or apple for a rustic dessert that goes from oven to table.

• Deep-Dish Skillet Cookie
  Press cookie dough into a buttered skillet for a gooey, golden treat. Top with ice cream while still warm.

Pro Tips for Cast Iron Baking Success

Whether you’re baking cornbread, biscuits, or cobbler, these expert tips will help you get the most out of your cast iron skillet:

1. Preheat the Skillet—Always

Start with a hot pan. Place your empty cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats. This ensures your batter or dough hits a sizzling surface, creating that signature crispy crust (especially critical for cornbread and biscuits).

Quick tip: Add a small pat of butter or oil to the pan right before adding your batter to get a delicious sizzle and boost flavor.

2. Mind Your Dough Temperature

For biscuits and pastry-based bakes, keep your ingredients cold—especially the butter. Cold butter creates steam pockets that help your biscuits rise tall and flaky.

Pro move: Chill your mixing bowl and flour for 15 minutes before starting in hot kitchens.

3. Avoid Overmixing

Overworking your dough or batter leads to dense, tough results. Mix just until ingredients come together—especially in recipes like biscuits or muffins.

Rule of thumb: If the dough looks “shaggy” or a little messy, you’re probably doing it right.

4. Grease Generously (but Smartly)

Even with a seasoned skillet, always grease it before baking—especially for recipes high in sugar or fruit, which tend to stick. Use butter, shortening, or neutral oil, depending on the flavor you want.

🧈Flavor tip: For cornbread and biscuits, butter adds a rich flavor and golden-brown color. For even more flavor, swap in bacon grease for the butter or use a blend of both. It’s a Southern secret that layers in deep, savory goodness.

5. Give Baked Goods Space

When baking items like biscuits or rolls, don’t overcrowd the skillet unless you want soft sides. Want crispy edges? Space them out slightly.

Spacing hack: Leave about ½ inch between items for a balance of rise and crispness.

6. Use a Thermometer for Precision

Because cast iron retains heat so well, it’s easy to overbake. Use an oven thermometer to confirm the actual temp, and a food thermometer to check doneness—especially for denser items like cobblers.

🌡️Target temps: Cornbread is done around 190–200°F internal temp.

7. Handle With Care (Literally)

Cast iron stays very hot after baking. Always use thick, dry oven mitts or silicone handle covers—even long after you’ve taken it out of the oven.

🔥Avoid burns: Never grab the handle without checking. It can remain hot for 30+ minutes.

8. Cool Before Cutting

Resist the urge to dig in right away. Let baked goods rest for 5–10 minutes so they can finish cooking and set up—especially important for cornbread and skillet cookies.

🆒 Cooling = cleaner cuts and better texture.

9. Clean It Right

After baking, allow the pan to cool slightly. Wipe out crumbs, rinse with warm water, and dry completely. Apply a light coat of oil to protect the seasoning.

🚫 No soaking, no dishwasher. Ever.

Final Thoughts

Baking with cast iron brings old-school flavor and texture to your kitchen. Whether you're whipping up a weeknight cornbread or treating guests to warm skillet biscuits, your cast iron pan can do it all—with style. Treat it well, and it will reward you for decades.

Want more cast iron baking recipes? Visit our Recipes - Desserts section or The Daily Skillet for a curated mix of delectable recipes perfect for your next bake.

We'd love to hear from you! Tried one of our curated recipes or have your own cast iron baking tip? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.