how to bake a cake with no oven???

Question

my oven just went out and it will be awhile before i can get a new one. i am looking for ways to make a cake on the stove top or in the microwave. any other 'baking' for now hints would help too.

I'm Sorry I have to put this to a vote, but i never know i would get soooooooo many great answers, & helpful links. My THANX to all who answered. You have all made what was a little frustrating situation, much better to handle. With all the ideas I have now, I can put off getting a oven longer than I thought. I'm a 'homemade' girl with a sweet tooth, and the thought of having to buy all my goodies from the store was depressing. I do a lot of entertaing because i'm the only one of my friends who can REALLY cook, and I don't want to not have dessert.

Answer 1

Skillet cakes:
http://southernfood.about.com/od/pineapplecakerecipes/r/bln261.htm
http://www.fabulousfoods.com/school/cstech/cakedeco/skilletcake.html
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/cakesheet/cakesheet11.html
http://www.joannou.net/topofthestairs/sinifood/heather.php
http://www.marthawhite.com/recipes/recipeDisp.aspx?recipeid=17682
http://www.fineliving.com/fine/perfect_party/article/0,1663,FINE_17017_2770079,00.html
http://www.paradisenursery.com/frfigupdocaw.html

Dutch oven cakes:
http://www.outdoorcook.com/article1036.php
http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/dutch_oven_cooking.htm
(this one above has biscuits for dutch ovens)

Camping cakes/other recipes:
http://www.scoutorama.com/recipe/
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/camp/camp.html

Microwave cakes:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,microwave_cakes,FF.html
(tons here)

http://baking.about.com/od/microwavedesserts/a/toptenprepwork.htm
(hints)
http://www.vrg.org/press/veganmicro.htm
(more hints)
http://baking.about.com/od/microwavedesserts/

If you feel real adventurous you might try www.solarcooking.org :-) [Just want you to look on the bright side of things...]

PS Please never use propane, wood, charcoal, or such insiide. I know it can be tempting in bad weather but the risks are real!
PPS A dutch oven is not exactly the same thing as a camp oven and is usually used on a burner.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Bessemer Dutch Oven

Answer 4

I feel your pain. That happened to me a couple years ago and I am a fanatical baker. I used the toaster oven. The only thing was that I had to buy a smaller pan and took longer to bake multiple layers. Also, make sure you keep an eye on the cake since baking times may vary. Mine cooks faster than the oven, but it was great for muffins, cupcakes, flan and other small pastries. If you need to buy one, you can find one that works well and it's not too expensive. We paid $30 for ours and it holds up to a 8" square pan.

Answer 5

Cowboys and campers are able to bake bread, etc., but the results may be unsatisfactory. My suggestion is to get a big pot with a lit, put some water in the bottom, then put a metal rack on the bottom of the pot, just above the water line. Now, put the cake mix in a cake pan and cover it with tin foil with some holes in it, with enough space for the cake to rise. Place the cake pan on the metal rack and cover the large pot, turn on the heat so the water can boil at low heat and keep your eye on it so not all the water evaporates. Timing for the bake will depend on the size of the cake pan and the moisture content. Hey, let us know how it turned out!

Answer 6

A well-stocked grocery will have mixes for the microwave. But if you really wanna get inventive, use a Dutch oven. You want one large enough to set your cake pan inside. You also want a trivet to set inside the Dutch oven under the cake pan. That'll prevent accidentally burning the bottom of the cake. You just make your batter as usual, but remember you will only be able to bake one layer of a multi-layer cake at a time - unless you use two Dutch ovens, of course.
While you're preparing your batter, whether from scratch or a mix, pre-heat your Dutch oven. Be sure it has a cover, by the way -and heat it with the cover on. Set the heat on medium - as close to 350 degrees as you can get it - and once your Dutch oven is heated, set the batter-filled cake pan inside, cover it and let it bake for the recommended time. If you're not sure of the temperature, check on it every 15 minutes.
If you're doing this on a stovetop, you'll be using a Dutch oven without legs. This will indeed bake your cake, but if you want a browned top pie crust - which you can do the same way - you'll want to use a Dutch oven with legs and a rimmed cover that you can set coals on. Yep, that one you do outdoors with charcoal. You prepare all as before, preheat your Dutch oven as before (this type is properly called a "camp oven") but over charcoal. You don't need a heaping pile of coals underneath - you use a pair of tongs to put the burning coals under the bottom near the outside of the vessel, and also to put burning coals on the rimmed cover. If you're using a 12-inch pot, put 12 coals spaced evenly underneath and 20 on top. You'll bake a cake in there for about 30 minutes - you'll have to check on it periodically to be sure it isn't overdone - and if browning a pie, about 40 minutes. Again, you'll want to check on it every 15 minutes or so to be sure it's not burning.
Since you have access to the Internet, check out the International Dutch Oven Society. They have a nice newsletter that addresses cooking in this underrated vessel, and some fabulous recipes. There should be several books on Dutch oven cooking available in a well-stocked bookstore or community library. Cast iron, of which many Dutch ovens are made, requires care that is different than that we ordinarily give our cookware. Be sure you learn how to season cast iron and how to protect that seasoning. It can be a whole lotta fun learning to cook in those things. Heck, I've even seen a beautiful wedding cake baked outdoors in a pair of camp ovens! Oh hey - getting a hot cake pan out of that Dutch oven can be tricky -so spend fourteen dollars down at your local restaurant supply store for a pan lifter of the type they use in pizza restaurants. Saves on burn salve, fer sure! Good luck...

Answer 7

MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE IN MICROWAVE OVEN 1/4 c. (1/2 stick butter) 1/2 c. sugar 2 eggs 1/2 c. flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 c. chocolate syrup Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and beat until fluffy. Add sifted dry ingredients, vanilla and chocolate syrup. Beat until thoroughly blended. Pour into an 8-inch square or round glass baking dish. Cook, uncovered, 7 minutes in microwave oven. FROSTING: While cake is still warm, spread 1 cup miniature marshmallows over the top. In microwave oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter for 30 seconds in glass mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons evaporated milk; mix thoroughly. Cook uncovered, for 2 minutes. Quickly mix in 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over cake and blend with marshmallows. Microwave cooking times are approximate. Cooking time varies with the model of microwave oven.

Answer 8

Ingredients:
1 can cherry pie filling -- 15 oz. size
1 can crushed pineapple -- 15 oz. size
1 package yellow cake mix
1/4 pound butter or margarine
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts


Directions:

Place half the pie filling on the bottom of an 8 inch square baking dish. Pour half the pineapple over cherries. Sprinkle half the cake mix on top of the pineapple. Place butter in a 1 cup measure.

Microwave at high (100%) until melted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drizzle half the butter over cake mixture. Sprinkle half the coconut over top. Sprinkle half the nuts over top. Cover with wax paper.

Microwave at medium high (70%) 8 minutes. Remove wax paper. Microwave at medium high (70%) until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining ingredients in another 8 inch square baking dish.

This recipe for Microwave Hobo Cake serves/makes 8

Answer 9

I've only tried a microwave once, with disatrous results. But-I have baked a cake in an electric skillet, on a rack. Also, if you have an electric steamer, you can make a great cake in there.

Answer 10

Tupperware makes a cake container which will go in the microwave. I bought it years ago. The boy scouts make cakes on an open fire with a sort of oven.

Answer 11

cook it outdoors in a "box oven":

you need a tin foil pie plate
charcoal briquettes
cardboard box

the other thing is that you can make pineapple upside down cake in an electric frying pan - this would be handy if your stove/oven is out for a while. They come with a recipe book for casseroles, etc