Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake in a Dutch Oven

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

unsweetened cocoa powder

🥗Healthier: carob powder

💰Cheaper: Dutch-processed cocoa

Carob powder is lower in fat and sugar

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index.

butter

🥗Healthier: applesauce

💰Cheaper: margarine

Applesauce reduces fat while adding moisture.

Melt 2 sticks of butter in a Dutch oven over the fire.

Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1 cup water to the melted butter, stirring to mix well.

Bring the mixture to a boil for about 30 seconds.

In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.

Slowly incorporate the hot cocoa liquid into the dry ingredients using a mixer.

Add 1/2 cup buttermilk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the mixture.

Grease and flour the Dutch oven to prepare it for baking.

Pour the batter into the prepared Dutch oven.

Place the Dutch oven on a tall trivet to allow for proper heat circulation.

Surround the Dutch oven with coals and place some coals on top of the lid for baking.

Check the heat by holding your hand near the Dutch oven; if you can hold it for more than five seconds, it's not hot enough.

Rotate the Dutch oven to ensure even cooking.

After about 12-13 minutes, check the cake for doneness; if it jiggles in the middle, it needs more time.

Target heat by adding more coals in the middle of the lid and pulling some away from the edges.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens