A Fire-Cooked Dessert Collaboration Between Maldon Salt, Weber Grills and Chef Matt Burgess
When live-fire cooking meets modern outdoor grilling, desserts become something truly unforgettable. This Cloud Cake recipe by Chef Matt Burgess, also known as @matblak, is a bold collaboration celebrating texture, flavour and innovation – combining the versatility of the Weber Lumin electric grill with the delicate finishing power of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt.
Soft, airy, and lightly steamed under the lid of the Weber Lumin, this raspberry cloud cake is balanced with bright fruit acidity, crisp raspberry coral, white chocolate and a subtle hit of chilli salt. It is restaurant-quality outdoor cooking designed to show that barbecue cooking goes far beyond meat and flame.
Whether you are cooking on a balcony, terrace or garden setup, this recipe highlights how electric grilling, live-fire inspiration and premium ingredients can create a memorable summer dessert.
Who are Weber Grills?
Weber Grills are globally recognised as one of the leading names in barbecue and outdoor cooking innovation. Known for combining performance, reliability and design, Weber has become synonymous with modern grilling culture worldwide.
The Weber Lumin electric barbecue reaches temperatures over 315°C while also offering steaming, smoking, searing and warming functions. This versatility makes it ideal for dishes like cloud cake, where controlled heat and trapped steam are essential for creating this signature soufflé-like texture.
Unlike traditional desserts cooked indoors, this recipe users the Weber Lumin pancha and lid system to gently steam and lift the batter, producing an airy cake with a caramelised outer edge and soft centre.
For urban grillers, food lovers and chefs experimenting with outdoor desserts, the Weber Lumin proves that barbecue cooking can be sophisticated, technical and creative.
Explore Weber Lumin grills here: https://www.weber.com/GB/en/electric-barbecues/lumin/
Meet Chef Matt Burgess AKA Matblak
Chef Matt Burgess, widely recognised as @matblak, is a New Zealand Māori chef, live-fire specialist and founder of Kaiwhenua – Kai by Matblak. His cooking philosophy is built around fire, flavour, culture and connection.
After beginning his culinary career in Wellington, New Zealand, Matt went on to work with some of London’s most respected hospitality brands, including Soho House, Bluebird Chelsea, Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill, and Jamie Oliver’s Threadneedle street.
Today, through Kaiwhenua – meaning “food from the land” in Māori – Matt develops recipes, host supper clubs and creates premium condiments inspired by live-fire cooking and layered flavour. His work blends refined restaurant technique with open-fire cooking, making him one of the UK’s most exciting modern barbecue chefs.
Matt’s approach to dessert reflects the same philosophy throughout his cooking: balance, smoke, texture and restraint.
Explore Kaiwhenua and Kai by Matblak here: https://www.kaiwhenua.co.uk/
Why Maldon Chilli Sea Salt Matters in This Dish
Salt is often overlooked in desserts, but in this recipe Maldon Chilli Sea Salt plays a crucial role.
The delicate crunch of Maldon Sea Salt flakes enhances sweetness, sharpens raspberry acidity and balances the richness of white chocolate. The added chilli gives subtle warmth that lingers gently on the palate, elevating the flavour profile without overpowering the dessert.
In the cloud cake batter, the chilli salt helps heighten the fresh raspberry flavour. As a finishing touch, it creates contrast against the soft sponge, crisp coral and creamy chocolate.
This sweet-and-heat combination is what transforms the dish from a simple grilled sponge cake into a refined barbecue dessert.
What is a Cloud Cake?
A cloud cake is an ultra-light, souffle-style cake known for its airy texture and delicate rise. Inspired by Japanese souffle pancakes and steamed sponge techniques, cloud cakes rely heavily on whipped egg whites to create lift and softness.
Unlike dense sponge cakes, cloud cakes are designed to feel light, almost mousse-like in the centre, while maintaining a lightly caramelised exterior.
In this version, the Weber Lumin lid traps heat and steam during cooking, helping the cake rise gently while staying soft and moist inside.
How to Make Cloud Cake, Raspberry Coral with Chilli Sea Salt
- Preheat the Weber Lumin with plancha to medium–low heat. You want gentle, even heat.
- Whisk egg yolks with milk and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder. Mix smooth.
- Whip egg whites with a pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Slat to soft peaks. Add sugar gradually. Take to medium peaks.
- Fold one third into the yolk mix to loosen. Fold the rest gently. Keep the air.
- Fold in raspberries last.
- Lightly butter the plancha. Spoon thick rounds, 2–3 cm high.
- Cook undisturbed until the base sets. Close the lid to trap heat and allow the cake to rise and steam.
- Flip carefully. Cook until just set. Centre stays soft. Remove and rest.
- For the dressing, crush raspberries with lemon zest, juice and icing sugar. Keep it loose.
- For the coral, mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour a thin layer onto a hot section of the plancha.
- Let it bubble and separate. Do not touch it.
- Once dry and lightly coloured, lift carefully and cool. It will crisp as it cools.
- Plate the cake. Spoon over dressing.
- Add coral, micro planed white chocolate and basil.
- Finish with a light pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt.
Weber Lumin Cooking Tips
- Always use the lid — trapped heat is essential for the signature cloud cake rise.
- If the base colours too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
- Coral needs a dry, hot surface to crisp correctly.
- Avoid overmixing the batter or the texture will become dense.
- Cook in batches and avoid overcrowding the plancha
Explore More
Buy Weber Grills – Discover the Weber Lumin electric barbecue range and outdoor cooking accessories: https://www.weber.com/GB/en/home/
Discover Kai by Matblak – explore Matt Burgess’ recipes, sauces, live-fire cooking and flavour philosophy.
Shop Maldon Salt – Explore Maldon Sea Salt flakes and flavoured blends: https://maldonsalt.com/our-salt/
