When most people think of camping dessert, they think of one thing – s’mores. Having enjoyed this treat last weekend while camping in the hills above Buena Vista, Colorado, I can attest to their perfection. Although they are messy, s’mores require no cleanup. They are also something you make while huddled around the fire, making them perfect for late night, campfire hang time. Really, though, the reason to make s’mores is their delicious flavor combination of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.

The only downside to camping world’s fixation on s’mores is that other, just as delicious, camping desserts often get ignored. Here you will find some other creative options for after dinner treats that are easy to make fireside. Most require minimal cleanup, but do create some trash.

On a side note, always remember to secure trash, food, and anything else that may attract animals, before going to bed while camping. If available, place these items in a bear box or in your vehicle. If this type of secure structure is not available, you will need to hang food items and trash from a tree. These items must be 15 feet above the ground to stop a bear from getting to them, and 4 feet from the truck and branches of the tree to stop squirrels, raccoons, and other small mammals.

Now, to the recipes!

 

Walnut Chocolate Burritos

These burritos are a compact way to bring dessert with you camping. They are best when prepped at home, wrapped in tin foil, frozen, and then rewarmed on the campfire. The filling is quite simple, including chocolate chips, walnuts, and cinnamon. These ingredients are mixed together then wrapped in a tortilla.

A full recipe for walnut chocolate burritos with the proper proportions can be found here. This, those taking these dessert burritos camping should disregard the recipe after the burritos have been made. Instead, wrap the burritos in tin foil and freeze them. This will help them last in your cooler. When you are ready to cook your walnut chocolate burritos, place them on the camp fire for 20-25 minutes, turning regularly to ensure they are cooked evenly.

Grilled Chocolate Banana Foil Pack

This simple recipe takes the idea of a s’more and deliciously pairs it with a banana. To make these, take a banana, peel it, and place it on a piece of tin foil that can be wrapped around it completely. Slice the bananas lengthwise, and pry open a bit to create a small pocket. Place chocolate chips and mini marshmallows inside the banana, warp the tin foil around it, and place on a grill or directly onto the campfire. Remove the foil wrapped banana after 5-6 minutes, add the cookie or cracker topping of your choosing, and eat out of the tin foil with a spoon.

A full recipe for grilled chocolate banana foil packs can be found here.

Mess Free Campfire Cones

This tasty option for camp dessert utilizes an ice cream cone to minimize the mess. Mix chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and any fruits, nuts, or assorted toppings you can fit in. In a waffle cone, you will be able to fit 1 cup of topping in total, and customizing your cone to fit your tastes is absolutely encouraged. Whatever toppings you choose, mix them evenly in a bowl before filling the cone with them. Place the cone on its side on a piece of tin foil. If any fillings fall out, put them back in the cone. Wrap the cone in tin foil and place on a grill or the fire for 5-7 minutes. Turn the cone on the fire so it warms evenly.

A full recipe for mess free campfire cones can be found here.

Chocolate Toffee No Bake Cookies

These cookies require a bit more preparation and cooking than the other desserts on this list. A camp stove is needed to make then, and from start to finish they will take about an hour to make. Making these cookies therefore makes a great activity for a lazy afternoon spent at the campsite with the kids.

To make these cookies, start by combining sugar and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Heat and mix until this mixture is boiling, then remove from the stove. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter, and stir until they are completely melted. Add oats, coconut, and toffee bits, and stir until the ingredients are evenly mixed. Add 1 cup of all ingredients, except for oats (3 cups) and the toffee bits (1.5 cups). Create small rounded cookies, and let cool on parchment paper for about 30 minutes.

A full recipe for chocolate toffee no bake cookies can be found here.

Creative S’mores

Ending where we started, this list wouldn’t be incomplete if creative recipes for s’mores weren’t included. Everyone has, of course, had the classic s’more, made by sandwiching a piece of Hersey’s chocolate and a campfire roasted marshmallow between two graham crackers. This simple recipe has been adapted though, with different flavored chocolates and added ingredients.

Fifteen different ideas for a more creative s’more can be found here. Some of the most delicious sounding additions from that list include candied bacon, salted caramel, Mexican chocolate, and an assortment of chocolate candies. There are also recipes for the Elvis s’more, which adds peanut butter, banana, and bacon to the original recipe, the chocolate chip cookie Nutella s’more, which is exactly what it sounds like, and the roasted berries s’more, which is served between two waffle cookies and smothered in a gooey concoction of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.