15 Delicious S’mores and Camping Desserts

Not only is it fun to indulge in a special dessert, it’s even more fun to cook up a treat for the whole crew when you’re on a camping holiday. 

From the simple, to the complicated and everything in between, camping desserts can be whatever you want them to be. You can enjoy a fruit dessert, or if you’re a chocoholic, then there’s plenty of ways to curb that urge. 

We’ve put together a list of 15 camping desserts that you can make during your holiday to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Take a look and start planning which ones appeal to you, you may like to indulge more than once! 

1. Campfire Cones

These fun desserts can be changed up based on what you and your crew enjoy, from candies, to other fruit to caramel and other toppings. Be creative! 

Ingredients

• Sugar Cones
• Peanut Butter
• Mini Marshmallows
• Chocolate Chips
• Bananas
• Aluminum Foil

Method

1. Chop up the bananas and get some marshmallows and chocolate chips ready.
2. Spread some peanut butter on the inside of the cone, then put in the bananas, marshmallows and chocolate chips.
3. Wrap the whole cone in aluminium foil, then put in over the hot coals of the BBQ for 5-10 minutes or so, turning every so often.
4. Unwrap your cone, check to see that everything’s ooey, gooey, and melted.

Recipe source: Cometogetherkids.com 

2. Banana Boats

These easy desserts are yummy and quick to make after a long day of being a tourist! 

Ingredients

• Bananas (Estimate 1 per person)
• Chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter chips, mini marshmallows, sweetened coconut (or whatever other toppings you fancy)
• Foil

Method

1. Choose your bananas. Slit the bananas lengthwise. Stuff them with any combination of toppings you desire.
2. Wrap the bananas in foil and place on the BBQ.
3. Grill with the cover on until toppings get melty and delicious.
4. Eat with a spoon. 

Recipe source: Lick My Spoon 

3. Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler 

This one takes a bit more time to put together, but you can help the timeframe by making the topping at home before your holiday. Bring it along in a container and keep it in your esky until you make it. 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, chilled, cut into 1/4 inch cubes

For the filling

• 6-8 medium apples
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons bourbon, or rum

Method

Start with the topping:

1. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add the milk and butter.
2. Using a fork, mix until a crumbly dough forms, cutting the butter into the mix to form small pebble sized balls of butter and dough.
3. Set aside, preferably in your cooler. (This can be made at home ahead of your holiday, stored in an airtight container in your esky until ready to use.) 

Make the filling:

     4. Core the apples and cut into bite sized (1/2 inch) pieces.
     5. Heat a 4 qt (10 inch) Dutch oven over medium heat on your BBQ.
     6. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bourbon to the Dutch oven and cook briefly until the sugar has dissolved.
     7. Remove from heat.

Assemble the cobbler:

     8. Crumble the topping over the apple filling in an even layer.
     9. Set the lid on the Dutch oven.

Bake the cobbler:

    10. Place the Dutch oven on a ring of six coals, then evenly space 18 coals on top of the lid.
    11. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the topping is golden brown.
    12. Remove from heat and serve. 

Recipe source: Off the Grid

4. Campfire Pies 

If you already have a jaffle iron, then this will be an excellent dessert during your camping holiday. 

Ingredients

• bread slices
• cinnamon sugar mixture
• seasonal fruit (sweet cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peach slices, apple slices) or preserves or canned pie filling
• other options include Nutella and sliced bananas, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Use cinnamon swirl bread or a brioche loaf.

Method

1. Make sure the BBQ is very hot with glowing coals.
2. Lay a piece of bread in each side of the iron and press it down slightly to make an indentation in the bread.
3. Place a few tablespoons of fruit on the bread and sprinkle on about 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
4. Lay the other piece of bread on top of the other. Connect the two sides of the jaffle iron and press down, locking the handles together.
5. Scrape away any bread hanging out of the irons. Place the iron right in the middle of the hottest part of the fire and leave it there for about 2 to 3 minutes.
6. The sides should be toasted golden brown when ready. The pie will be very hot, so allow it to cool for a couple minutes before eating.

Recipe source: Andrea Meyers

5. Cherry Cobbler on the BBQ 

Another easily thrown together dessert for your camping holiday! Bring along all the ingredients and then just decide which night you’d like to have this treat. Due to the use of butter and ice cream, it might make sense to have it the first night! 

Ingredients

• Tin foil
• Cherry pie filling
• White cake mix
• Butter
• Ice Cream

1. Lay out two large sheets of tin foil on a hard surface.
2. Directly on the foil add some cherry pie filling (as much or as little as you like).
3. On top of the pie filling add a layer of cake mix–about 1/4 to 1/2 cup…more is better. 
4. Finally, add a few slices of butter evenly over top of the entire mixture.
5. Fold up the foil length wise in the centre and the fold the ends in to create a little cobbler tent (don’t smush it!).
6. Place directly on the BBQ for about 15 minutes. Pull off the grill and eat warm with ice cream.

Recipe source: The Cards We Drew

6. Peach Mallows

Increase the ingredients to accommodate the number people you have in your holiday party. 

Ingredients (serves one) 

• 1 peach
• 1/8 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Handful of any additional toppings (berries, chocolate chips, coconut, peanuts, etc.)

Method

1. At home: Pack ingredients in separate bags or containers, and store peaches where they won’t be squished or bruised.
2. On holiday: Slice peach in half and fill with butter and marshmallows, and then sprinkle both halves with cinnamon.
3. Wrap peaches in tin foil and cook over campfire for 3-5 minutes.

Recipe source: Mother Nature Network

7. Chocolate Cake in an Orange

Ingredients

• 10 oranges
• 1 recipe chocolate cake batter, prepared in advance (box mix is fine)

Method

1. Cut the tops off the oranges and scoop out the pulp.
2. Fill the oranges three-quarters of the way with the chocolate cake batter (or cake mix) of your choice, then put the orange tops back on and wrap each orange in aluminium foil.
3. Place directly onto the smouldering coals of the BBQ, avoiding any intense flames, and cook for about 30 minutes, turning once or twice.

Recipe source: Chowhound

8. Dutch Oven Cinnamon Nut Pull Aparts

This one takes more time, so you’ll need to plan ahead when you decide to have this delicious dessert. However, it’ll be worth the effort! 

Ingredients

• 12 yeast dinner rolls
• 1/2  cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter

Method

1. You’ll want to start by getting your dutch oven ready. For proper heat in a dutch oven, use 4-6 coals less than the inch diameter of the oven under the bottom and four to six coals more on top of the oven.
2. Rotate oven and lid separately 90 degrees every 5-10 minutes during baking and remove from bottom heat the last 15 minutes when baking. Line dutch oven with aluminium foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Thaw rolls until soft. Cut roll in half.
4. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts together.
5. Dip roll halves in butter then roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture until thoroughly coated.
6. Then line inside of the circle the same way until the bottom of the pan was covered. There were enough rolls left over to continue with one more circle in a second layer. Cover with lid. Let rise until doubled in size (2-3 hours).
7. Bake in fire for 25-30 minutes or until centre is done.
8. Remove from fire and immediately go around the edges of the oven with a knife.
9. Invert onto a serving plate.

Recipe source: Tried and Tasty 

9. Honey Rum Grilled Bananas

If you have a larger crew, then you may need to double or even triple this recipe. And with the addition of alcohol in this recipe, you might consider using this just for the adults or on an all-adults camping holiday. 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons rum
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 medium firm unpeeled bananas
• vanilla ice cream

Method

1. In a small bowl, combine the rum, honey and cinnamon; set aside.
2. Cut bananas in half lengthwise, leaving the peel on.
3. Place bananas cut side down on the BBQ. Cover and grill over medium heat for 3 minutes.
4. Turn and brush with honey mixture. Cover and grill 5-6 minutes longer or until tender.
5. Peel bananas. Serve immediately with ice cream.

Recipe source: Taste of Home 

10. Australian S’mores 

OK, so you’ve heard all about our American friends having s’mores when they are on a camping holiday, right? They roast marshmallows over a grill or campfire and then put the roasted marshmallow with a piece of chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers.

Unfortunately, graham crackers aren’t in every grocery store like they are in the United States. Instead, you’ll need to substitute something else—perhaps it’s a biscuit, such as McVitie Digestives or Arnotts “Marie.” So, here’s the recipe, such as it is.

Ingredients

• Marshmallows
• Chocolate (such Cadbury Twirl, broken in pieces)
• Biscuits

Method

1. Place a piece of chocolate on a biscuit.
2. Roast the marshmallows over the BBQ fire.
3. Then place roasted marshmallow on the chocolate and cover with another biscuit. Enjoy!

11. S’mores Brownies

S’mores brownies can be made ahead of time and packed up before you go camping. Enjoy them outside under the stars or warm them up over a camp stove for a gooey, chocolatey indulgence. 

Ingredients

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 1/4 cup biscuit crumbs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC. In a large bowl combine the brownie mix, biscuit crumbs, water, oil, and egg. Mix by hand for 1 minute. Spread the brownie batter into a nonstick pan, or a pan with nonstick spray.
2. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, just until a toothpick inserted 5 cm from the side of the pan comes out clean. Do not overcook! Remove from the oven.
3. Immediately turn the oven on to grill, sprinkle marshmallows, and chocolate chips over the top. Place the pan under grill for 1 minute or until marshmallow are lightly brown.  
4. Cool and cut brownies into 36 bars. 

Notes

DO NOT OVERCOOK THE BROWNIES! When the brownies come out of the oven, immediately sprinkle marshmallows and chocolate chips on top then they go under the grill. If you overcook your brownies in the oven by the time they finish with the topping they will be overcooked. 

Image and recipe source: Seeking the RV Life

12. Dessert Skewers

This dessert is so easy to make, and it’s perfect for families camping with kids because everyone can make their own dessert. Just load a skewer with strawberries, marshmallows, chunks of cake or brownie, and gently roast them over a grill. Mix it up and use whatever fruit you like! 

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• Shortcake store bought or homemade
• Whipped cream

Method

1. Cut fruit and cake into similarly sized cubes.
2. Thread onto BBQ skewers and grill over a medium high heat, turning occasionally until fruit is soft, and pound cake is toasted, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Serve with whipped cream.

Image and recipe source: Betsy Life

13. S’mores Skillet Dip

For an easy dessert everyone can share, try this s’mores skillet dip that can be cooked over a barbeque. Let the chocolate and marshmallows get gooey and melty, then everyone can dig in with their biscuits. 

For another fun spin on a classic s’more, make a dessert pizza with pie dough, chocolate and marshmallow, or s’mores tacos by stuffing your chocolate chips and marshmallows inside a tortilla and let them cook on the grill. 

Image and recipe source: Five Heart Home

14. Camp Stove Berries and Cake

This camp stove skillet dessert couldn’t be easier. Macerate the berries in sugar. Dice up some shortcake. Add chocolate chips or your favourite chocolates. Warm everything together in a skillet and enjoy. 

Ingredients

• 300-400 grms fresh berries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 340 grms shortcake
• 2 Rolo candy bars

Method

1. Combine the berries and the sugar in a bowl and let sit until the juices start to release, 10-15 minutes.
2. Add the butter to a 30cm cast iron skillet and allow to melt. Cut the cake into 2.5 cm cubes. Add to the hot skillet and cook, turning often, until all sides are toasted. Remove the skillet from the heat.
3. Sprinkle the berries over the top of the cake cubes, then sprinkle the Rolos over the top. Cover the skillet with foil and allow to sit until the berries are warm and the chocolate is melting, 5-10 minutes.

Image and recipe source: Taste and Tell Blog

15. Skillet Mixed Berry Grunt

Another classic camping dessert full of jammy berries and fluffy dough. This skillet grunt comes together easily in a skillet over a barbeque. 

Ingredients

• 1 kg fresh mixed berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Salt
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar

Method

1. Cook berries with 1/4 cup sugar, the water, and lemon juice in a cast-iron skillet set over a campfire or on a medium grill, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Add buttermilk and butter; stir until a moist dough forms.
3. Spoon six dollops of dough over fruit. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over dough.
4. Cover skillet tightly with parchment-lined foil. Cook until dumplings are set and tops are dry, about 20 minutes.

Image and recipe source: Martha Stewart

Enjoy your desserts while staying at Broken Head Holiday Park 

Pick the desserts that sound the best for your family, or whoever you might be on a camping holiday with, so you can indulge your sweet tooth during your stay at Broken Head Holiday Park. We have excellent BBQs, which will be useful with most of these camping dessert recipes. You could also look at investing in portable BBQ or a solar powered stove. We look forward to seeing you soon!