How to Cook a Cake in a Fireplace

Our love for cakes predates the invention of the conventional oven. As recent as the last century, cakes were baked in pot-bellied stoves fueled by wood or coals, even over an open hearth. In the interest of exploration, outdoor adventure or education, more primitive baking methods give us insight into the history of baking and a greater understanding of past and remote cultures. Baking a cake in a fireplace requires a bit of trial and error, but with a little patience and finesse it is possible to produce a tasty treat.

Things You'll Need

  • Large wood-burning fireplace
  • Cast-Iron dutch oven
  • Foil
  • 1 box cake mix
  • Egg, water and/or oil required per cake box instructions
  • Butter or shortening
  • Flour for dusting
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Fireplace must be large enough to fit a dutch oven inside the firebox.

      Create space in fireplace for the dutch oven to sit safely inside the firebox.

    • 2

      Build a fire in the fireplace using split wood with flat surfaces. Allow enough time for flames to begin to subside.

    • 3

      Line the dutch oven with foil.

    • 4

      Grease the foil lining with butter, then dust with flour to prevent the cake from sticking.

    • 5

      Mix cake batter according to package directions and pour batter into the foil-lined dutch oven.

    • 6

      Create a bed of hot firewood, timber or coals and set the dutch oven safely on top.

    • 7

      Add a layer of timber, embers or coals a top the dutch oven. Aim for twice as much heat on top of the oven as used for the bed.

    • 8

      Bake the cake for the amount of time stated on the cake mix box for a 9 x 13 pan.

    • 9
      Alawys be cautious when working over an open fire.

      Remove dutch oven from the heat, carefully remove the lid and let the cake cool before serving.