As a heat wave grips much of the nation, a curious culinary experiment is gaining popularity. People are baking cookies in their cars.

A couple of weeks ago, The New York Times' "Wheels" blog featured a recipe and instructions for using the UV rays to make chocolate chip treats in your SUV.

The Times got its inspiration from the food blog BakingBites.com, which claims that cars can double as ovens as long as it's at least 100 degrees outside.

We'd heard about it via Twitter and decided to try it for ourselves.

RECIPE

Baking Bites Car-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg, followed by flour mixture and chocolate chips.

Place dough on a large sheet of wax paper and roll into a log about 11 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. Freeze for two to three hours or overnight.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

HOW WE DID IT

We baked nine chocolate chip cookies on a metal sheet in a 2006 Toyota Prius, parked in the Star's asphalt parking lot. The car's digital thermometer told us it was 108 degrees outside, though the forecast was calling for a high of only 101 that day.

1. We took cookie dough from the freezer, sliced it into 1/4-inch rounds and placed the slices on a baking sheet.
2. We placed the sheet on the car's dashboard with three knit place mats underneath so it wouldn't melt the dash.
3. After one hour, the temperature inside the car was 190 degrees. Consumer Reports says temperatures inside a vehicle can climb more than 40 degrees an hour. (Note: Once you close the car door, don't open it again until the cookies are done. If you do, much of the built-up heat will escape.)