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Try These Ideas To Elevate Your Campfire Treats

Updated: Dec 29, 2023

Campfires are always fun! Maybe you are camping or just hanging out in your back yard. But almost always you are enjoying the company of family and friends, watching the dancing flames and listening to crackling wood. Nothing is better, except, of course, if you also get to enjoy some campfire treats.


Kids roasting marshmallows around a campfire.
(Photo via Shutterstock)

While s’mores are the most famous of all campfire treats, there are so many more! Let your mouth start watering as you read on for some delicious campfire treats to try!


Snazz up your S’mores


You can make different versions of traditional s’mores. Try substituting a different candy bar instead of the plain chocolate. Maybe a Reese’s peanut butter cup, a York peppermint patty, a Ghirardelli chocolate filled with caramel or raspberry. What is your favorite candy bar?


A s'more on a table.
(Photo via Shutterstock)

Or try changing the type of marshmallow. Now you can buy both stuffed and/or coated marshmallows! What sounds good to you? A marshmallow filled with chocolate, salted caramel or cookies and cream? What about stuffed with cake and coated in sprinkles? Try one or try them all.


You can also swap out the graham cracker. Try a fudge stripe cookie or maybe chocolate chip! They can take the place of both the graham cracker and the chocolate, so you just need to roast your marshmallow and slide it between two cookies. What is your favorite cookie?


For the perfect, golden-brown marshmallow, don’t put it in the flames. Hold your roasting fork over some hot coals, turn slowly and be patient. It will be perfectly roasted on the outside and splendidly gooey in the center!


Cinnamon rolls


Another treat you can try with just a roasting fork is a cinnamon roll. Use premade raw crescent rolls. Take one wedge, roll it in cinnamon sugar, then wrap it around the roasting fork. It only needs about five minutes over the flames, rotating frequently, then voila! A tasty campfire treat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.


If you want to use the premade raw cinnamon roll dough, it is best to cut it into small chunks. Stack the cubes on a roasting fork like kebabs, then turn slowly over the fire until they are cooked all the way through. Make your own sugar glaze to drizzle on top with powdered sugar and a little water.


Banana boats


This dessert always has everyone asking for more! With a banana as a base loaded with your favorite toppings, your tastebuds are guaranteed to be delighted.


Roasted bananas and marshmallows on foil.
(Photo via Shutterstock)

These are cooked in tinfoil, and if you like you can line the tinfoil with parchment paper. Keep the banana in the peel and slice along the concave curved edge. Gently pull each side to give yourself space for the toppings of your choice: chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter chips; mini marshmallows; chocolate, caramel or strawberry sauce; crumbled graham crackers; vanilla wafers or other cookies; nuts; coconut; granola — you get the idea!


Close up your foil package, then cook your banana boat, toppings side up, on a grate or nestled into the embers of your fire. Just a few minutes will do. When removing with tongs you should be able to feel that the banana is squishy. If it’s not, let it cook a little longer. Patiently let cool, then enjoy!


Pie iron delights


You won’t regret investing in a pie iron or two or three or four. They are useful for many savory sandwiches and snacks but also for a great variety of sweet treats!


A pie iron being held over a fire burning in a firepit.
(Photo via Shutterstock)

Pudgie pies require sliced bread, pie filling and cooking spray so the bread does not stick to the iron. Just spray the iron with cooking spray, add the bread, then spoonfuls of your favorite pie filling. Do you like apple, peach, cherry or blueberry? Close the pie iron and cook over a hot campfire until golden brown. Flip the iron occasionally, and peek at progress if needed. Five to seven minutes is usually perfect.


See how simple, and just wait till you taste! What else can you put between two slices of bread? Maybe Nutella and marshmallows? Cream cheese and strawberries? Peanut butter, banana and cinnamon? What combination sounds good to you?


Now that you know all these delicious options, the hard part will be deciding which to try at your next campfire. Or maybe trying each is the perfect reason for your next campfire and the one after that …

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