Fun Camping Recipes for Kids
The Hobo Campfire Cobbler
A Dutch Oven Dump Cake
This is a fun and easy camping dessert recipe that kids can make themselves, with just a little adult supervision. It is so delicious the kids will want to do it on every camping trip.
This recipe is so simple to make you can’t really call it a recipe. The pictures tell you almost all you need to know – except the cooking time; 30 – 45 minutes.
Campfire Hobo Cobbler Recipe and Directions:
There is a reason Hobo Cobbler is frequently called Campfire Dump Cake – because you literally just dump the ingredients in and put it on the coals to cook. No prep, no stirring, no mixing, and no ingredient measuring. Just dump in a couple of cans of fruit Comstock or pie filling, pour in a box of cake mix, top with a stick of butter, (sliced), cover, and cook. That’s it.
Here is all you need:
- Dutch Oven, or cast iron skillet with lid
- two cans of fruit pie filling or fruit Comstock, (cherry, apple, or peach)
- one box of cake mix
- one 12oz can of soda
- two sticks of butter – sliced into patties
Popular combinations:
- The all-time favorite for kids is the cherries and chocolate cake mix combination, (sometimes called Lava cake)
- Second on the favorites list is the apples and yellow cake mix combination.
- Peaches and yellow cake is a popular adult camper favorite.
Notes:
Some versions of this recipe also use a can of soda. It adds a bit of flavor and moisture to the dry mix. The chocolate cake combinations uses a can of Dr. Pepper poured over the dry cake mix and butter patties. Use a can of Sprite for the yellow cake mix recipes.
Just remember – DO NOT STIR.
Just pour in the fruit Comstock, (or pie fillings)
Two cans of your favorite fruit Comstock or pie filling *Comstock is the best choice.
Note the liner used
These are inexpensive and worth their weight in gold when it comes to clean-up time. You can find them at Walmart, or Amazon using the links below.
Pour in the cake mix
Just pour the cake mix evenly across the fruit filling. The layer doesn’t have to be perfect – just cover all the fruit.
Note: Remember – Do Not Stir to mix the fruit and cake mix.
Add the butter patties
Dot the top of the mix with two sticks of salted butter – sliced into patties.
Pour in the soda – Optional, but recommended
Now just pour your choice of sodas; Dr. Pepper, (or a similar flavor), or Sprite, (any Lemon Lime soda), over the butter patties and dry cake mix. Again, no special technique, just pour evenly across the top layer of cake mix.
The cooking part of this recipe is the same for ‘stirred’ and non-stirred’ recipes.
Place on the coals, and cook for 30 – 45 minutes.
This recipe cooks at about 350°, which is about 14 good hot coals, (or charcoal briquettes), on top and 14 underneath the Dutch Oven.
Refresh the coals and rotate the Dutch oven after about 15 minutes. Wait 15 minutes more, and then take a peek. Your Hobo Cobbler/Dump Cake could be ready, but it will probably need another 15 – 20 minutes, so rotate the lid and oven again and check back in ten minutes. (*See a helpful Dutch oven temperature chart below)
For yellow cake mixes, you are looking for a golden brown top. For chocolate cake mixes you are looking for a firm brownie-looking top.
Enjoy Your Campfire Dump Cake
These examples will give you an idea of the choices you have and the prices you can expect.
To stir, or not to stir?
This fellow, (Scouter Karl), knows what he is talking about, but I think the less-stirred recipes are the more ‘true’ campfire dump cakes.
This instructor, (Vic Rowberry), is an equally experienced Dutch oven cook. His method uses a little ‘mixing up,’ rather than full-on stirring.
Helpful Dutch Oven Heating Chart and Tips
Check out the chart and cooking tips
This Dutch oven Temperature chart will help you use the right amount of coals or briquettes for the size of your Dutch oven, to get the temperature you want.
More fun and easy camping recipes for kids:
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Notes and discussions:
Camping with kids requires some camping gear and accommodations that you might not normally consider if just camping with adults.
*Note – all shopping links are my own Amazon affiliate links – which I only use to recommend good-quality camping gear – Gus
Bad Weather Survival Ideas for Camping with Kids:
Bad Weather? Kids confined to the tent? Save your sanity – be prepared with these games and activities to keep them occupied.
The links are for individual products, or the all-in-one bad weather kit. (as pictured)
Available as an all-in-one kit – Click the image on the right to see complete all-in-one Camping activities for Kids and camp games for kids Bad Weather Survival kit” – All you have to do is select the item quantities to match your number of kids!
Here are a few items and resources that may prove helpful:
If you go camping with kids, you should have at least one Pie Iron, (preferably one for each kid), in your camping cookware. They are versatile – you can make anything from grilled cheese sandwiches to instant fruit pies. And they are so safe and easy to use that you can let your young campers make their own fun camping recipes for kids.
Just pop in the ingredients, close, cook over the campfire, and out comes delicious sandwiches, biscuit-dough fruit tarts, or dozens of other camp food choices.
A Boy Scout Handbook is one of the most helpful pieces of general camping gear you can have. It’s a great source of camping ideas, tips, and activities for your young campers.
It contains easy-to-understand answers and how-tos for almost any camping question. Plus, it contains plant and foliage identifications, campsite activity suggestions, survival tips, and detailed primary first aid instructions.
Check out these great examples of camping gear items useful for camping with kids. Once you have these pieces of camp gear included in your list of camping equipment, you will wonder how you ever did without them. Especially when you see how inexpensive they are when you buy them online.
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Wait! Don’t go yet
Did you see the Monkey Bread? – another great campfire treat for kids. Even easier than the Hobo Breadsticks, and kids love spearing these from the Dutch oven!
Campfire Monkey Bread
Related Posts:
- Campfire Cooking – Foods, Recipes, and Meals
- Camping Menus – Complete Ready-to-go Meal Packages
- How to Plan Camping Meals and Menus
- Camp Meals – How to Pack Smart
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