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Real camping gourmets know the meal doesn’t end until you have had dessert. There’s nothing like a delicious dessert to cap off an evening, especially when relaxing around the campfire. Let’s take a look at some of the best camping dessert recipes for your next outing with your RV this summer.
Make Your Summer Sweeter With These Camping Dessert Recipes
No matter what kind of desserts you crave, we’ve got something that’ll hit the spot and come together easily from the campsite.
1. Campfire Cones
You may consider s’mores one of the best camping desserts of all time. But even the most devoted s’more lover knows they can be messy and occasionally feel a little flat when it comes to flavor. Campfire cones solve both of these issues while preserving the integrity of the s’more.
To make these, you’ll need ice cream cones, small and large marshmallows, chocolate chips or chunks, and any additional toppings you’d like. These can include peanut butter cups, caramel, fruit, nuts, or anything you can imagine!
To make them, construct your cone with a miniature marshmallow on the bottom, followed by your ingredients of choice. Next, wrap your cones in foil and bake in a 400-degree oven until everything melts. This takes six to eight minutes. Finally, top with a large marshmallow and broil or char with a lighter or campfire. This delicious concoction will have you forgetting all about messy, boring old s’mores.
While this recipe calls for baking in an oven, you can also use indirect heat from a campfire or a Dutch oven.
2. Campfire Banana Boats 9 Ways
This recipe creates a blank canvas for banana lovers to turn a dessert into a dream come true. Simply insert a knife under the skin of a banana and slice it along the concave side. You can now stuff the banana with toppings of your choice, from chocolate and Nutella to coconut and strawberries.
Once you’ve stuffed the banana, wrap it in foil and place it over your grill, campfire, or in your oven. After about 10 minutes, it will have melted through and be ready for you to dig in! If you’d like, top it with some crushed graham crackers for extra taste and texture.
3. Dutch Oven Apple Pie
The Dutch oven may become one of the most valuable items in your camping kitchen arsenal, and this camping dessert recipe for apple pie takes full advantage of it. If you can, make the crust ahead at home to save time and hassle making it at the campsite. (Or, just use store-bought — we won’t tell.)
Once you’ve made the crust, combine peeled and sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Prepare your Dutch oven with an x-shape of parchment paper “straps” to help lift it out later.
Roll out two-thirds of your dough, and place it into your Dutch oven. Top it with the apple mixture, and then cover with the final rolled third of dough. Crimp together, brush the top with egg wash, and place your slightly vented Dutch oven among the hot coals of your campfire. Bake it for about an hour. Once it becomes golden brown, take it off, let it cool, and then serve.
4. Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
Not a fan of apples? This peach cobbler is just as delicious and even easier to make. Lightly butter the inside of a Dutch oven as you heat your coals. Prepare your peaches by blanching them in hot water for a minute before dunking them in ice water. This process should help you easily remove the skins. Cut the peaches into slices and mix with honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, and cornstarch.
In the meantime, you’ll create a simple but delicious topping by combining sugar, white whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk and melted butter. Now, spoon your fruit mixture into the bottom of your Dutch oven, and pour the batter over it without stirring.
Place the Dutch oven on the coals, and place some on top of the lid. Rotate the Dutch oven every ten minutes or so until finished, which should take about 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the topping is golden brown and you see peach juices bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a delicious pairing that improves any camping evening!
5. Pound Cake and Berry Campfire Skillet Dessert
Other than your Dutch oven, your cast iron skillet may become your most trusty camping dessert recipe tool. This simple recipe uses a premade pound cake that forms a major part of this sweet treat.
Start by placing a grate over your hot cooking coals. Combine the berries and sugar and let it sit until the juices begin to release, which should take 10-15 minutes. Next, butter your skillet, and add the pound cake, cut up into one-inch cubes. Toast the cubes over the heat until every side has gotten some color, and then remove from the heat. Top with your berry mixture and Rolos candy. Then cover with foil and let the berries warm and the chocolate melt.
6. Autumn Plum Skillet Tart
Another incredible skillet camping dessert recipe involves the rich flavor of plums. Start by making your dough before you head out for the campsite. Combine flour, salt, and grated butter. Combine with your fingertips until the mixture feels like coarse breadcrumbs. Then add enough water to bind the dough together. Roll into discs and chill.
When you’re ready to bake, slice your plums and simmer in a saucepan with sugar and water until softened. Add your dough to the skillet, top with plums, and drizzle with honey. Fold up the edges and cook covered with foil until the edges begin to brown.
7. Grilled Shortcake Skewers
For a delightful campfire-friendly twist on the classic shortcake dessert, try these grilled shortcake skewers. To prepare, cube your pound cake and cut up the fruit of your choice into skewer-sized pieces. Strawberries and pineapple work best, but use whatever you like to create your favorite flavors.
Thread the bread cubes and fruit onto skewers, and set on a grate over coals or your campfire. Give them a turn occasionally as they toast. Your delicious fruit and shortcake skewers will take six to eight minutes. Top them with whipped cream and dig in!
8. S’mores Nachos
You’ll never look at s’mores the same way again with this camping dessert recipe. You’ll need the traditional ingredients: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Create your “chips” by breaking up your graham crackers inside a foil tin. Sprinkle with mini marshmallows or chopped or torn marshmallow pieces, then top with chocolate chips or chunks. Cover your pan with foil and heat over a fire for a few minutes until your chocolate and marshmallows melt. This simple but delicious twist on s’mores will have everyone at the campground talking.
9. Dutch Oven Turtle Lava Cake
Who says camping dessert recipes have to be basic? Still, this incredible simple turtle lava cake only has five ingredients. Prepare your coals so they can heat while you prep the rest of the cake.
Line your Dutch oven with parchment paper, and pour in your caramel sauce. Dump the cake mix on top, but don’t stir. Pour your can of lemon-lime soda slowly over the top of the mixture. Sprinkle on your chocolate chips and pecans. Cover and surround your Dutch oven with coals. This delectable cake bakes in 40-55 minutes.
When you crave sweets, few things hit the spot quite like a cookie. These simple cookies rely on premade cookie dough as their only ingredient. However, you’ll need a pie iron for best results. If you don’t own one, you can get the same effect with a smaller cast iron skillet placed on top of your cooking skillet.
Be sure to manage your fire with this recipe. Coals are critical, as opposed to flames, which will burn your cookies. First, line your pie iron or skillet with parchment paper, add a scoop of cookie dough, and top with another piece of parchment paper. Close the pie iron or use the additional skillet. After five to seven minutes of cooking on each side, your cookie should be ready to eat!
11. S’mores Banana Waffle Bowls
Another delightful take on the classic s’more, these bowls combine the ease of eating a bowl of ice cream with those traditional camping flavors. Start by placing a waffle cone bowl onto a piece of foil and filling it with some sliced banana. Smear with peanut butter, and top with chocolate chips and marshmallows.
Wrap the bowl up and place it near, but not directly on, the coals of your campfire. Rotate occasionally until hot, which should take three to eight minutes, depending on your fire. You’ll know it’s ready when you smell toasted waffles. You can either eat it directly from the foil or transfer it to a paper or regular bowl for easier enjoyment.
Treat Yourself
These camping dessert recipes are easy, delicious, and mostly quick to make. Keep them in mind on your upcoming summer trips for a great way to end your night. Go ahead and treat yourself — after all, you’re on vacation, right?
