Sure, you've grilled the best and juiciest burgers. You've achieved perfectly seared steaks. Your rotisserie chicken is the talk of the neighborhood. But have you used your gas grill to bake yet? That's right! You can use your gas grill just like you'd use a standard oven. Pizza, Casseroles, Breads, Pies, Cakes, Brownies, you name it! Baking on your grill is surprisingly easy, too. Let's go over some tips and tricks to get you started.

Advantages to Baking on a Gas Grill

• Frees up oven space, which can be a hot commodity sometimes, especially during the holidays.
• There's no need to turn the oven on inside during those hot summer months. Keep the house cool- take that recipe outdoors!
• Provides a new challenge for the grill master who has already achieved perfectly grilled meats.
• Gives an extra opportunity to show off your fancy new gas grill to all your friends, family and neighbors.
• It gives you a reason to try out one of our favorite recipes, Grilled Coffee and Caramel Brownies (found below).

Tips for Baking on a Gas Grill

• Make sure the grill is clean before getting started- no one wants a cake that tastes like last week's BBQ.
• Preheat your gas grill just like you would preheat a standard oven.
• Keep a close eye to ensure the grill temperature remains constant and adjust as needed.
• We know it's tempting to take a peek, but try keep the lid closed as much as possible to keep the heat in.
• Check halfway through to make sure your goodies are baking evenly. This is your opportunity to rotate the pan if necessary.
• If baking cookies, use parchment paper to line the cookie sheet. Make sure there is no overhang and it does not touch the cooking grids.
• A grill tends to cook quicker than the oven, so you will likely have to adjust cooking times if you're following a traditional recipe.

Grilled Coffee and Caramel Brownies

Courtesy of Andrea Alden, Napoleon.
Original recipe found here.

Ingredients:

• 200 g. Dark Chocolate
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Butter, Melted
• 1/4 Cup Plain Yogurt
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 3/4 Cup Flour
• 1 Tablespoon Instant Espresso Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 3 Tablespoons Caramel Syrup
• Optional: Chocolate Chips or Nuts

1. Preheat gas grill to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit and prepare for indirect grilling. Grease 8 x 8-inch metal baking pan and set aside.
2. Using a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate and stir frequently. Allow the chocolate to cool for a minute while assembling remaining ingredients.
3. Whisk together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and yogurt.
4. Sift together the flour, espresso powder, salt and baking soda. Add it to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Fold the melted chocolate into the batter, followed by any optional ingredients (chocolate chips, nuts, etc.).
6. Pour brownie batter into the greased baking pan. Drizzle the top with caramel syrup.
7. Bake on a gas grill using indirect heat for 35 minutes, or until the brownies have set and the edges are slightly crisp. About halfway through, rotate the pan to ensure even cooking.
8. Remove from grill and allow to cool. Add fruit, whipped cream or ice cream and ENJOY!

Check out some of our favorite recipes. And don't forget to share yours with us; we'd love to see them!