Campfire Brownies: Easy & Fun Dutch Oven Camping Recipe
The best way to keep chocolate lovers smiling is to serve these yummy Campfire Brownies. The mix-ins are a fun way to keep campers happy and begging for more of your delicious Dutch oven camping recipes.
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Cooking Methods & Equipment
When you are baking easy campfire recipes, it’s important that you get your fire going with hardwood that will produce nice coals.
You never want to put your pot directly over an open flame when you’re making Dutch oven baked goods. If you prefer, you can use charcoal briquettes that produce a more consistent heat.
Recipe Steps
Step 1. Prepare your equipment as directed. I recommend lining a 12-inch cast iron Dutch oven with a parchment paper liner or tinfoil. You can also use non-stick cooking spray. Here’s how to line a Dutch oven with parchment paper that includes a VIDEO and instructions to make your own liners for pennies!
You can also use a cast iron skillet with a tight-fitting lid but you’ll need to watch the coals because the lid will be closer to the batter than using a Dutch oven. You may need to remove a few of the hot coals so the brownies don’t burn.
Step 2. Preheat oven to 325 F degrees (23 total coals = 16 on top of the lid / 7 below the bottom of the oven.)
If you are using a different oven size, check our Dutch oven temperature chart to see how many coals you will need.
Step 3. Prepare batter. Follow package instructions to prepare brownie mix.
One way to make easy camping meals is to use prepared shortcuts rather than making everything from scratch. Normally you’d have to measure all purpose flour, kosher salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar etc. Instead, we’re starting with a boxed mix that does all of the measuring and mixing of dry ingredients for us.
Step 4. Pour batter in oven. Gently pour the batter into the hot oven.
Step 5. Add candy. Top the batter with the candy of your choice.
Step 6. Bake. Maintaining a temperature of approximately 325 F degrees, bake the brownies about 25 minutes. They are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Camp Cooking Tip: Burn hardwood to produce good coals for baking. Choose coals that are uniform in size, similar to the size of a charcoal briquette.
Step 7. Rotate. For even baking, turn the lid and oven a quarter turn in opposite directions every 10 minutes.
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Camp Cooking Tip: In windy conditions, the side of the oven facing the wind is cooler than the side protected from the wind. After 15 minutes, quickly open the lid to verify the batter is baking evenly. If not, move all of the coals to that side that is baking slower. You’ll be “spot baking” and the side that is cooking faster will continue to cook by residual heat, but, at a slower pace.
Step 8. Let brownies cool. Use the “handles” of the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the oven, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot oven. Cool about 15 minutes.
Step 9. Slice and serve. Top warm brownies with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Variations
The perfect campfire brownies are very personal!
We like the addition of chunks of Snicker candy bars but you can swap out different types of candy for different flavors.
For an even richer taste, use dark chocolate chips.
For a sweeter flavor experience, add white chocolate chips.
For a more colorful presentation, use M&M candies. You can pick out certain colors for themed trips, try these:
- Reds and blues are great for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.
- Oranges, reds and browns are great for Fall camping trips.
- Yellows and blues are great for beach camping trips.
- Oranges and browns are great for Halloween camping.
- Yellows, greens and oranges are great for summer trips.
- Reds and greens are great Christmas camping ideas.
What To Serve With This Recipe
I can’t think of anything better than an icy-cold glass of milk with camping desserts.
But, you can always double-up on the chocolate by serving rich & creamy Campfire Hot Cocoa. This homemade mix is so delicious you may want to put it in a jar and give it as a gift to your outdoorsy friends.
And, you can never go wrong by serving a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Do you know how to keep frozen food in a cooler … frozen? Here’s how to pack a cooler for camping even when you have ice cream!
Meal Planning
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Campfire Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 (18 oz) box of brownie mix (prepared according to package directions, usually requiring the addition of 2 large eggs, 2/3 cup vegetable oil and 1/4 cup water)
- 6 fun size Snicker candy bars cut in half
- Vanilla ice cream, optional if desired
Instructions
- Line 12-inch cast iron Dutch oven with parchment paper or tin foil. (See * Note).
- Pre-heat oven over campfire coals.
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Mix wet ingredients in medium bowl until fully blended then add the brownie mix and stir with wooden spoon until blended.
- Pour brownie mix into oven. I like using spoons to smooth the batter into an even layer.
- Top brownies with your favorite candies (snicker bites candy bars) and place lid on top of the Dutch oven.
- Place Dutch oven on grate slightly above coals. Bake at 325 F degrees (23 total coals = 16 on top of the lid / 7 below the bottom of the oven) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-35 minutes. (See ** Note).
- Turn lid and oven a quarter turn in opposite directions every 10 minutes for even baking. (See *** Note)
- Remove pot from coals and lift brownies out using the “handles” of the parchment paper or foil, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot oven.
- Let cool 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm. Top with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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More Yummy Meal Ideas
Whether you want to make super simple meals or ones that require a little more effort and taste almost gourmet, try something new on your next trip.
If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.
What do you think?
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