While camping, most people prepare simple foods that are easily roasted over the fire, such as hot dogs, baked beans and toasted marshmallows. However, there are a wealth of campfire meals that can be made if you only have access to a dutch oven. One delicious way to use your dutch oven is to make campfire bread using a large tin can; 1-3lb coffee cans work best for this recipe. This type of bread is easy to prepare, only requires a few ingredients, and can last throughout the weekend for a great addition to all your camping meals.
Making the Dough
Depending on how much prep your campsite and equipment will allow, you may want to bring pre-made dough from home that was frozen and allow it to thaw at the campsite. To make the dough at home or onsite, mix one packet of dry active yeast with 1/4 cup of warm water and 1/3 cup of sugar. Once the yeast has dissolved, cover it with a clean cloth for five minutes. Add two large eggs, 1/2 stick of melted butter and 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk and mix together. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 1/2 to 3 cups of any type of flour. Mix and allow to rise near the campfire or in a warm place in your kitchen. Punch down the dough and allow to rise again.
Preparing the Tin Can
Rub the inside of the tin can with vegetable oil and stuff the dough into the can. Put the can into your dutch oven and place the lid on top. Arrange a few large rocks inside your coals for the dutch oven to rest upon. Place the dutch oven in the campfire, with about 9 coals around the bottom of the dutch oven and arrange 15 coals on top of the dutch oven.
Baking the Bread
Campfire bread may take one to three hours to fully bake, depending on the altitude of the campsite and the heat emanating from the coals. Rotate the dutch oven by a 1/4 turn every 15 minutes to avoid burning and hot spots. Take the lid off the dutch oven after one hour to check for brownness. When it is finished, wait for the can to cool and then you can remove the bread from the can. Slather with butter or use to soak up a savory stew and you’ve got a classic comfort food that will rival any traditional camping meal!
For other campfire snack ideas: 3 Campfire Snacks That Are Totally Gluten-Free and 5 Ways to Use Canned Biscuit Dough for Camp Meals.
Featured Image from Yondon Batbileg/Unsplash
