Cast Iron S’mores & Hot Chocolate Cakes for Christmas

Christmas has a way of slowing time. The lights are softer, the evenings are longer, and the kitchen becomes the warmest room in the house. Not because of the heater, but because something indulgent is always baking. This is the season when desserts aren’t rushed, portions aren’t counter, and every sweet dish tells a story. And if there is one material that belongs at the heart of the festive baking, it’s cast iron.

Cast iron desserts feel nostalgic yet dramatic. They go from oven to table effortlessly, hold heat beautifully, and invite everyone to dig in while the centre is still warm and molten. For Christmas gatherings, whether it's family after dinner, friends dropping by, or quiet nights with hot cocoa, cast iron s’mores, and hot chocolate cake deliver comfort, theatre, and togetherness in one skillet.

Why Make Desserts in Cast Iron this Christmas?

Cast iron cookware is uniquely suited for winter desserts. Its even heat distribution ensures gooey centres and crisp edges. Exactly what festive bakes demand. More importantly, cast iron retains warmth long after it leaves the oven, making it perfect for sharing desserts that are meant to be eaten slowly, spoon by spoon. This simplicity keeps the focus where it should be - on conversation, laughter, and that unmistakable smell of chocolate filling the room.

Cast Iron S’mores Skillet (A Christmas Crowd-Pleaser)

S’mores aren’t just for campfires. In a cast iron skillet, they become a luxurious Christmas dessert - rich, gooey, and meant for sharing.

Layer crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers at the base of a cast iron frypan, scatter dark chocolate chunks generously, and top with marshmallows. Bake until the chocolate melts and the marshmallows turn golden and blistered. Finish with a light torching for that campfire effect.

Serve it straight from the skillet with spoons. It’s messy, indulgent, and exactly the kind of dessert that keeps people gathered around the table longer than planned.

Hot Chocolate Cakes in Cast Iron

Hot chocolate cakes - those molten-centred desserts that ooze when cracked open - feel tailor-made for Christmas evenings. Baking them in cast iron enhances their depth, giving slightly crisp edges while protecting the softness within.

Pour the batter into individual cast iron pans or one shared skillet, bake until just set around the edges, and let the centre remain luxuriously soft. Serve with vanilla ice cream or lightly whipped cream. The contrast of hot and cold is irresistible - and cast iron ensures the cake stays warm till the last spoonful.

Strawberry Chocolate Skillet Brownie (Cast Iron Favourite)

One dessert that bridges indulgence and elegance beautifully during Christmas is the Strawberry Chocolate Skillet Brownie, baked entirely in a cast iron frypan.

Ingredients: 

Brownie base: ¾ cup butter, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 113g chopped dark chocolate, 1½ cups sugar, 3 eggs (room temperature), 2 tsp vanilla, ½ cup cocoa powder, 1 cup flour, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup chocolate chips + 2 tbsp for topping.

Strawberry coulis: 1 cup chopped strawberries, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp lemon juice.

Method:

1. Cook strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice on low heat for 5–6 minutes until soft. Mash lightly and cool.

2. In Vinod Cookware Cast Iron Frypan, melt butter on low heat. Remove from heat and mix in oil, chopped chocolate, and sugar until smooth. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gently fold in cocoa powder, flour, and salt, followed by chocolate chips.

3. Pour the batter back into the cast iron pan, swirl in strawberry coulis, and top with remaining chocolate chips. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 30–36 minutes, until edges are set and the centre remains fudgy. Rest for 5 minutes and serve warm with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries.

A Christmas Tradition Worth Repeating

Cast iron desserts aren’t about perfection—they’re about presence. About placing a warm skillet at the centre of the table and letting everyone take part. Whether it’s s’mores, hot chocolate cakes, or a rich strawberry brownie, cast iron brings people together in a way few things can.

This Christmas, let your desserts stay on the table a little longer. Let the cast iron do what it does best—hold warmth, hold flavour, and hold memories.