Should I preheat cast iron loaf pan for baking?
I just bought a Lodge cast iron loaf pan. Do I need to preheat the pan when baking? When I make skillet cornbread I preheat the cast iron skillet. I'm not sure if I'll need to adjust cooking times if I do or don't preheat the loaf pan. Thanks for any help!
Recommended by Food52
2 Comments
I do both when baking bread in cast iron - do and don't preheat pan. (My choice depends on whether I do the final raising in the pan, and whether I have time to do the preheating.)
There are good results of preheating the pan - a final spring/rise in the bread (from the immediate heat) and a very good crust.
On timing - basically the same with or without preheating. Maybe a couple minutes less. If you're concerned with overbaking, check sooner than usual, especially the first time you bake a recipe in the cast iron loaf pan.
Last, here's an article from Lodge with tips about baking bread in cast iron, including lots in favor of preheating.
https://www.lodgecastiron.com/story/tips-for-making-bread-cast-iron