Unusual Baking Techniques for Desserts

Yesterday as we were cooking dinner, (wild rice, chicken on the grill, and broccoli) we started thinking that we'd like something for dessert.  I suggested a cake with coolwhip topping since we have kind of a lot of coolwhip right now.  The only problem was that turning on the oven didn't sound like fun.  I started looking around online and came across this website that had instructions for baking cakes in your bbq grill.  We actually made apple-strawberry crisp.  The picture is a little blurry, but it was delicious.

Prepare Your Barbeque and Cake

1. Light the BBQ and allow it to preheat.
2. Prepare the cake batter from a mix or follow your favorite recipe.
3. Grease and flour the cake pans.
4. Pour the cake batter into the pans.

To BBQ Cake with Indirect Heat

If you have three elements on your BBQ, you can use indirect heat.

1. Turn the two outside elements to low and turn the center element off.
2. Place the cake pans on the center grill above the element that is turned off.
3. Close the BBQ lid and allow the cake to cook for 20-25 minutes. Avoid opening the lid to check the cakes during this time so the heat stays inside and creates an oven effect.
4. Check the cakes. They are done when they feel springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If they are not done after the initial time has passed, close the lid and continue cooking for 5 more minutes and check again.
5. When they are cooked, remove the cakes from the BBQ and place on a cooling rack.

To BBQ Cake with Direct Heat

If you have two or fewer elements, you can use direct heat.Turn all the elements to low.

1. Place an empty pan upside down on the grill above the element
2. Put the batter-filled pan on top of it. The extra pan adds a little more distance from the heat and helps to keep the cake bottom from burning.
3. Close the BBQ lid and allow the cake to cook for 20-25 minutes. Avoid opening the lid to check the cakes during this time so the heat stays inside and creates an oven effect.Note: When cooking on direct heat, the cake cooks a little faster.
4. Check the cakes. They are done when they feel springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If they are not done after the initial time has passed, close the lid and continue cooking for 5 more minutes and check again.
5. When they are cooked, remove the cakes from the BBQ and place on a cooling rack.

When the cakes are cool enough to touch, remove them from the pans, If desired, cool cake completely and spread with icing or serve them warm with ice cream. Enjoy!