The dutch oven is one of our favorite cooking implements here at SunnyScope, because its versatility knows no bounds. There are hundreds of dutch oven recipes for camping to choose from, and the technique is very easily learned, making for endless possibilities for camp meals. Here are just a few delicious dutch oven camping treats your whole camp will love!
1. Popcorn
You’ll need:
- Popcorn kernels
- Cooking oil or butter
- Seasonings
Popcorn is such a universally delicious treat, why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy it while you’re camping? To make dutch oven popcorn, start by melting one stick of butter or pouring a half cup of cooking oil in your dutch oven and making an even layer of popcorn kernels over the entire surface of the oven. Place the lid on top, and add to coals, keeping your ears open for that telltale sign that the popcorn is ready: less pops! Rotate the oven halfway through to cook the kernels evenly. Remove from coals and scoop the popcorn into a paper bag or a large bowl, and season to taste. Bring on the scary stories!
2. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
You’ll need:
- Can of pineapple rings
- 1/2 c pecans
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 boxes of yellow cake mix (with ingredients for preparation)
- water
- maraschino cherries (optional)
- aluminum foil
Line your dutch oven with aluminum foil, and level out over campfire coals (roughly 7-8). Add butter to the oven and melt, then add the brown sugar and stir. Place pineapple rings side by side on top of the brown sugar/butter mixture, and add a whole pecan to the center hole of each. Prepare the yellow cake mixes according to the box instructions, and add to the dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 25 minutes. Check the cake at 15 minutes to assess its progress; when the cake is golden brown and a toothpick or fork comes out clean when tested, remove the dutch oven from the coals. Lift the cake out of the oven by grasping the aluminum foil, and place it on a pan. Quickly flip the pan over and remove the foil to enjoy a decadent treat under the stars!
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
You’ll need:
- Pre-made chocolate chip cookie dough
- Aluminum Foil
Who doesn’t love fresh baked chocolate chip cookie, especially after a long hike? We recommend preparing the dough beforehand at home to minimize the pack storage needed. Just line your dutch oven with aluminum foil, and drop spoonfuls of evenly spaced cookie dough into the oven. The real challenge of this recipe comes in making sure your dutch oven is the ideal temperature: arrange 4 coals under the center of the oven, and 6 coals on the bottom outside edge. Place the lid on the oven, and arrange 4 coals on top in the center, and 16 around the entire edge of the lid. Bake for 10-15 minutes, checking progress at 10, and then lift out using the aluminum foil. Transfer to a plate or cooling rack before devouring, and simply place the foil lining back in the oven with a new batch of dough until it’s gone!
For more dutch oven camping treats, check out Simple and Tasty Dutch Oven Recipes for Camping!
Featured Image from Charles Deluvio/Unsplash
