Delicious Camping Desserts to Enjoy Around the Campfire

When you think of a classic camping scene, there’s no doubt you imagine some version of this: a beautiful canvas tent, a bustling fire, and friends and family gathered around a campfire. Some are actively roasting marshmallows to the perfect crispy gooeyness, while others already have s’mores in hand, ready to devour.

Campfire desserts have long been a staple of family camping, and if you have a sweet tooth, it’s a non-negotiable part of your camping meal plan. Even if your dinner was filling and satiating, a recent study from Science.org, a leading digital publication in the industry, shows that there’s a real scientific reason we always have room for dessert.

So why would we deny ourselves the pleasure of a sweet treat?! Whether you want to recreate that picturesque camping scene on your own family vacation, or you just want to make good use of the science that saves us room for dessert, there are plenty of delicious recipes awaiting campers.

If you’re tired of the same old s’mores or you’re just looking for something new to try, here are 10 must-try camping dessert ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth in the outdoors. Plus, get tips and tricks to make dessert preparation a breeze at your campsite. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

5 Must-Try Camp Desserts

1. Campfire Popcorn

Simple yet delicious! Bring along a campfire popcorn popper tool or use a large lidded pot, and watch as the kernels explode into a delicious snack. To elevate it, drizzle on chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, or your favorite dessert topping.

2. Skillet “Mountain” Pies 

Known by many as “mountain pies,” this simple recipe involves stuffing 2 pieces of white buttered bread with your favorite sweet fillings and toasting until warm and crispy. 

Popular fillings include fruit jam, marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, chocolate spreads, and nuts. However, the beauty in a mountain pie is the endless options for customization!

3. Campfire Cookies

It’s hard to disagree with a classic cookie, and believe it or not, they’re completely possible to make without a home oven!

Bring your favorite pre-made cookie dough or mix up your own and pop them into a Dutch oven. Cover with a lid over the campfire or tent stove and wait for them to cook through.

If you want something slightly more unique, put all of your cookie batter into a skillet over the campfire to create a cookie pie. This technique results in a slightly different texture than normal cookies, making it a fun way to change up a classic dessert for the outdoors.

4. Cinnamon Rolls on a Stick

If you’re a lover of cinnamon rolls, this is the camp dessert for you! Take the refrigerated dough and unravel each roll until you have a long strip. Simply wind the strip of dough around a roasting stick, placing it in the fire to cook.

This is an awesome alternative to roasting marshmallows, offering a similar bonding experience for the family. Once cooked, don’t forget to drizzle the cinnamon sticks with icing!

5. Foil-Packet Banana Boats

If fruit is your favorite form of sweet, try out a foil-packet banana boat! In a decent-sized rectangle of foil, place a banana split in half. Then, stuff it with your favorite toppings. More fruit, mini marshmallows, graham cracker sprinkles, chocolate chunks, and caramel drizzle are just a few classic ideas.

Like all the desserts on this list, make it your own for the best result! When it’s stuffed to your liking, cover the foil over itself and pop it in the campfire coals to heat up.

Tips and Tricks for Making Dessert Easy at Camp

Although adding dessert to your camping meal plan creates another element to juggle, it doesn’t need to be a complicated addition. Here are just a few ways to make dessert a seamless extension of your camping trip!

Consider Perishability

Since most campers don’t have access to a refrigerator, it’s important to consider the perishability of your dessert’s ingredients. For example, a dish that requires fresh milk or heavy cream won’t be as realistic to make as a recipe that utilizes only shelf-stable ingredients.

That being said, you don’t have to avoid perishable ingredients altogether! If there’s a dessert that just sounds too good to leave at home, be sure you can keep the perishable ingredients fresh with either a cooler or a portable camping fridge. In the case of using a cooler, it’s best to make the recipes with perishable items first to minimize the chances of your ingredients spoiling.

Prioritize One-Pot and Foil Packet Recipes

Like all camping recipes, one-pot and foil packet recipes will be your best friend! These cooking techniques make everything at camp easier, from the preparation of your dessert itself to the clean-up afterward. Just throw all of your ingredients into one pot, pan, or foil packet, and cook them all at once into one delicious treat.

Prepare the Ingredients in Advance

Similar to cooking any meal at camp, you’ll make your life in the outdoors significantly easier by doing as much preparation in advance as possible. The possibilities for preparation are endless, but here are just a few things you can do at home to streamline dessert-making at camp:

• Cut up your ingredients as directed by each recipe (e.g., for a banana boat dessert, dice your fruit, such as a strawberry, in advance)
• Pre-portion your ingredients for each recipe or serving into containers 
• Assemble ingredients if applicable (e.g., thread dessert skewers at home or have s’mores ingredients stacked and portioned into baggies)

Not only does at-home prep make cooking quicker, but it also minimizes mess and clean-up at camp.

Wrapping It Up

Science proves there’s a real reason we always have room for dessert, and those sweet-tooth cravings don’t magically disappear on a camping trip! Whether you’re looking to try a more unique dessert on your next trip outdoors or you just want a few more options so you’re not eating s’mores every night, consider trying one of the delicious desserts discussed today.

Additionally, be sure to follow the tips and tricks outlined above to ensure a seamless experience cooking dessert in the wilderness. Happy camping!