Chocolate Lava Cake

This is my family's absolute favorite Dutch Oven dessert.   It's a real crowd pleaser that I've made successfully for groups large and small, and it's easy to do.  Most recently, I made a double batch for the eight hungry Cub Scouts and Parents who attended Funpack Weekend.

The recipe is a simplified version of a "Hot Fudge Pudding Cake" recipe that was given to us by my mother in law. The original cooks quite nicely indoors in a 9x9 pan.  When baked, there is a chocolate cake on top and a rich, fudge like liquid on the bottom.  It's best served hot with Whipped Cream.

Ingredients:

·         1 Cup buttermilk baking mix

·         1 Cup granulated Sugar

·         3 Tablespoons plus 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/2 cup milk

·         1 2/3 Cup hot water

Start at least 30 charcoal briquettes for heat.

Combine buttermilk baking mix, 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tbsp cocoa in the bottom of a #10 Dutch Oven.  Stir in the milk until well blended.

Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/3 cup cocoa and 1/2 cup sugar, covering the entire surface.  Gently pour hot water over the mixture.  Cover and bake at 350⁰ for approximately 30 minutes or until a cake is formed on the top.  Remove from heat and let it cool.  Serve warm with whipped cream.

Note on Temps

Typically 350⁰ will be the lid diameter minus 2 charcoal briquettes on the bottom and lid diameter plus 2 briquettes on the top - in this case, 8 below, 12 on top.  However, this only applies to a day in the mid 70's with calm winds.  Depending on weather conditions you will likely need to add briquettes during the cooking process based on the temps.

Other Tips and Tricks    

·         For larger groups, double the recipe in a #12 Dutch Oven, or triple it in a #14.

·         For camping, we like to mix the dry ingredients in two plastic bags before leaving home, so we have less measuring and dirty utensils in camp:  Cocoa, Baking Mix and Sugar, and Cocoa and Sugar.  We also write the liquid measures on the outside of the bags, so we don't forget.

·         It isn't necessary to grease the Dutch Oven if it is well seasoned and you clean up promptly.  However, if dessert will sit in the oven at all, pre-treating with cooking spray or light oil will make cleanup easier.