I had some leftover heavy cream, lots of pecans and a couple containers of cocoa in the house. While the pecans and cocoa would hold for a while, the heavy cream would not. Turtle-style brownies would use all of these ingredients, I decided to try making the brownies in these small cast iron skillets we had. Our skillets are 6.5 inches rather than the 3.5 inch skillets I've seen elsewhere. We ended up sharing one skillet brownie sundae whereas the smaller skillets may make nicer individual servings. I think I'll add those 3.5" Lodge Cast Iron Skillets to my Amazon wish list. 

We made these brownies turtle-style, but I think it could make a great base for other versions, such as S'More Brownies or Black Cherry Forest Brownies. Use your imagination and come up with your own skillet brownie style. Let me know what you come up with. 

Skillet Brownies Recipe

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups white granulated sugar
• 4 whole eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the skillets or pans. I used what I had which came to three 6.5” cast iron skillets, and one 8”x8” square pan for extra batter. There are 3.5 inch cast iron skillets that would also work nicely for individual servings. A large 10 inch skillet could also work.  I just rubbed the pans down with butter, but you could spray with nonstick spray.

In small bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.

In medium to large bowl, combine melted butter and sugar. Then blend in eggs and vanilla extract. Once all combined, slowly add the cocoa powder mixture until all is well blended. You can do this by hand, but I used my Kitchen-aid mixer on low.

Pour batter in your skillets or pans about ¾ way full. Put in oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. I did put the small cast iron skillets on a cookie sheet. Don’t over bake. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Serve warm and top as desired. Brownie Tip: cut with plastic knife.

Turtle-Style Skillet Brownies

Top skillet brownies with 1 or 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, warm salted caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and pecans. Cut in quarters and serve or eat it all!

S’More-Style Skillet Brownies

When brownies are just out of oven. Top with miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips and small bits of crushed graham crackers. Pop back in oven for 5 to 8 minutes or until marshmallows are a bit toasty. Cool, carve and serve!