Happy 4th of July, all!  I’ve been trying to do a video around this (and I will), but given that it’s a big day for outdoor cooking, I wanted to go ahead and share.  What follows is a handful of dessert recipes perfect for the campfire – a little variety that goes beyond marshmallows on a stick.  Good enough for any time of year, but the holiday makes a good excuse.  Give them a try and let me know how it goes!

Apple Pie Crescents

Ingredients
Crescent rolls – the store-bought refrigerated “tube” kind
Apple Pie Filling (or, if you’re creative, fresh apples with cinnamon and sugar)
Crushed walnuts or pecans (optional)
Aluminum Foil

1. Unwrap the crescents and lay each flat.
2. Place pie filling and nuts in the center, then roll up from one corner.
3. Wrap in aluminum foil, and place in the coals (not in the fire itself) for about 3 minutes, flip, and let cook another 3 minutes.  NOTE:  You MAY want a little cooking spray on the foil, just in case you overcook and the rolls stick.
4. Unwrap and enjoy!

Campfire Eclairs

Ingredients
Crescent Rolls (again, the store-bought kind in a tube)
Pudding, jelly, or other similar “topping”
A smooth, clean stick about the size of your thumb.  A broom handle works in a pinch.

1. Unwrap the crescents, and wind them around the stick, including a “cap” over the end, so that the dough forms a cup over the end of your stick.
2. Carefully, place the stick over the coals (not the fire), and rotate while the dough bakes.  It will be done when golden brown, and when thumped it makes a “hollow” sound.
3. Remove the bread with a little twisting motion, fill the resulting cup with pudding or jelly, and enjoy!

Banana Boats (S’mores version)

Ingredients
Banana (slightly unripe. Not green, but not mushy)
Chocolate Chips
Mini-Marshmallows
Graham Crackers (crumbled)
Aluminum Foil

1. Leaving peel on, split banana lengthwise so it opens like a hotdog bun
2. Stuff in marshmallows, chocolate, and crumbled graham crackers
3. Wrap in aluminum foil, and place in coals for 3 minutes.  Turn and cook another 3 minutes.
4. Unwrap – marshmallows and chocolate should be fully melted.  Scoop the goodness straight out of the peel with a spoon, or dive in.

Bananas Foster Boats

Ingredients
Banana (Slightly unripe.  Not green, but not squishy)
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
Pinch of Cinnamon
2 Tbsp Whiskey
1 Tbsp Butter
Mini-Marshmallows
Aluminum Foil

1. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and whiskey.
2. Leaving the peel on, split the banana open lengthwise without cutting through the peel on the opposite side.  Open like a hotdog bun.
3. Stuff banana with sugar/whiskey mixture.  Top with butter and marshmallows.
4. Wrap with aluminum foil, and place in coals for 3 minutes.  Rotate and cook another 3 minutes.
5. Enjoy!

These are fun for all ages, require minimal prep, and are easy to clean up.  Give them a try, next time you’re sitting around the campfire!

Get Out There
Troy
flying-squirrel.org