Cooking desserts over a campfire adds a sweet ending to your outdoor adventures and allows you to enjoy a variety of delicious treats with a unique, smoky flavor. Whether you’re in the mood for something gooey, crispy, or fruity, there’s a campfire dessert to satisfy your cravings. Here’s how to make some of the best desserts over a campfire, along with tips to ensure they turn out perfectly.
1. S’mores
No list of campfire desserts would be complete without the classic s’mores. They’re easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate bars
Instructions:
- Toast the Marshmallow: Skewer a marshmallow on a roasting stick and hold it over the campfire, rotating slowly until it’s golden brown and gooey on the inside.
- Assemble the S’more: Place a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker, then top it with the toasted marshmallow. Sandwich it with another graham cracker.
- Enjoy: Press down gently to melt the chocolate, then enjoy the gooey, sweet treat.
2. Campfire Banana Boats
Banana boats are a fun and customizable dessert that’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients:
- Bananas (1 per person)
- Chocolate chips or pieces
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers, nuts, or other toppings (optional)
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bananas: Leave the peel on the bananas and slice them lengthwise down the middle, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Stuff the Bananas: Gently open the banana and stuff it with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and any additional toppings.
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap each banana tightly in aluminum foil, sealing the edges.
- Cook Over the Fire: Place the foil-wrapped bananas on the hot coals or on a grill grate. Cook for 10-15 minutes, until the bananas are soft and the chocolate and marshmallows are melted.
- Serve: Carefully unwrap the bananas and eat them straight from the peel with a spoon.
3. Campfire Apple Crisp
This campfire apple crisp is a warm, comforting dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for fall camping trips.
Ingredients:
- 4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples: In a bowl, mix the apple slices with brown sugar and cinnamon until coated.
- Make the Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, and butter, mixing until it forms a crumbly texture.
- Assemble the Crisp: Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil. Place the apples in the center, then sprinkle the oat mixture on top.
- Wrap and Cook: Fold the foil over the apples, crimping the edges to seal. Place the foil packet on the hot coals and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Serve: Carefully open the packet and enjoy the apple crisp straight from the foil.
4. Pie Iron Fruit Pies
Pie irons are a versatile campfire tool that can be used to make delicious, crispy fruit pies with a warm, gooey filling.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of fruit pie filling (cherry, apple, or blueberry)
- 8 slices of bread
- Butter
- Cinnamon sugar (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bread: Butter one side of each slice of bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.
- Assemble the Pie: Place a slice of bread, buttered side down, into the pie iron. Spoon a few tablespoons of pie filling onto the bread, then top with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Cook Over the Fire: Close the pie iron and latch it. Hold the pie iron over the campfire, cooking for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and the filling is hot.
- Serve: Carefully open the pie iron, remove the pie, and enjoy it warm.
5. Campfire Doughnuts
Making doughnuts over a campfire is easier than you might think, and the result is a warm, crispy treat that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough
- Oil for frying
- Cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar for coating
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Separate the biscuit dough into individual pieces. Use your thumb to make a hole in the center of each piece to create a doughnut shape.
- Heat the Oil: In a cast iron skillet, heat a few inches of oil over the campfire until it reaches about 350°F (you can test this by dropping a small piece of dough in the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface).
- Fry the Doughnuts: Carefully place the doughnuts in the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Use tongs to flip them and remove them from the oil.
- Coat and Serve: Immediately toss the doughnuts in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar. Serve warm.
6. Campfire S’mores Dip
If you’re a fan of s’mores but want to make it easier to share, try this gooey s’mores dip that everyone can dig into.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- Graham crackers for dipping
- Cast iron skillet
Instructions:
- Prepare the Skillet: Place a cast iron skillet on the grill grate over the campfire to heat up.
- Assemble the Dip: Once the skillet is warm, pour the chocolate chips into the bottom of the skillet. Top with a layer of mini marshmallows.
- Cook Over the Fire: Place the skillet on the coals or a grill grate over the campfire. Cook for a few minutes until the chocolate is melted and the marshmallows are golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Use graham crackers to scoop up the gooey chocolate and marshmallow dip.
7. Grilled Peaches with Honey and Cinnamon
Grilled peaches are a simple and elegant dessert that’s perfect for summer camping trips.
Ingredients:
- 4 peaches, halved and pitted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Peaches: Brush the cut sides of the peaches with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Grill the Peaches: Place the peaches cut side down on a grill grate over the campfire. Grill for 5-7 minutes, until the peaches are soft and have grill marks.
- Serve: Serve the grilled peaches warm, drizzled with extra honey. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
8. Campfire Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This campfire version of the classic pineapple upside-down cake is cooked in a Dutch oven for a delicious, caramelized dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 can pineapple rings, drained
- Maraschino cherries
- 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- Dutch oven
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dutch Oven: Place the Dutch oven over the campfire to preheat. Melt the butter in the bottom of the oven, then sprinkle the brown sugar over the melted butter.
- Arrange the Pineapple: Arrange the pineapple rings on top of the brown sugar, placing a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Mix the cake batter according to the package instructions. Pour the batter over the pineapple rings in the Dutch oven.
- Bake the Cake: Cover the Dutch oven and place it on hot coals. Place additional coals on the lid to create an oven-like environment. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Carefully invert the cake onto a plate so the pineapple is on top. Serve warm.
Tips for Campfire Dessert Success
- Control the Heat: Campfire cooking can be unpredictable, so keep an eye on the heat and adjust the distance of your dessert from the flames as needed. If the fire is too hot, move your dessert to a cooler part of the fire.
- Use Heavy-Duty Foil: If you’re using foil packets or wrapping food in foil, use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing and ensure even cooking.
- Pre-Prep Ingredients: Prepare ingredients at home to save time at the campsite. For example, pre-mix cake batter or slice fruits before you leave.
- Keep it Simple: Campfire desserts don’t need to be complicated. Simple combinations like fruit, chocolate, and marshmallows can create delicious treats with minimal effort.
Cooking desserts over a campfire is a fun and rewarding way to end a day in the great outdoors. With these recipes, you can create sweet, memorable treats that will make your camping experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re making s’mores, grilling fruit, or baking in a Dutch oven, these desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth and bring everyone around the campfire together.