If you need a quick, delicious, and easy dessert when you’re out camping, make brownies! Step-by-step directions for baking them in a dutch oven with charcoal.
Brownies are one of my favorite camping desserts! They are simple to make, you only need to take a box mix with you and you can serve them with all kinds of toppings to make them special and fun.
I know, I know. A box mix??? But when we go camping or are cooking dutch oven, we like to keep things simple. Usually, we put the most effort into our main dishes and let dessert be easy and fun.
If you want to make a homemade brownie mix or homemade brownies, check out my recipes for those! Both are top notch.
How to Brownies in a Dutch Oven
There are two tricks to making brownies in a dutch oven. The first is optional, and that is to use a dutch oven liner. When you use a liner, cleanup is easy but you don’t get that good cast iron cooking flavor. It’s a trade-off.
The second trick is to use not only the right number of coals but to place them correctly. We have found that using just a few on the bottom when making things like brownies or a cookie in the dutch oven keeps them from burning and allows everything to cook really evenly.
What to Serve with Dutch Oven Brownies
Because this is such a simple and easy recipe and method, I like to kick things up a notch by adding some fun toppings.
Also, I just can’t change who I am and not knowing when to leave well enough alone is a specialty of mine. Ha! So here is what I like to bring to put on top!
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Whipped Cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Jumbo Marshmallows {so dang good roasted over the fire and sandwiched between a brownie!}
- Chocolate Sauce
- Ice Cream {we make this sometimes when camping}
It’s really fun to set all the toppings out and let everyone dress their brownie however they want – kids do the craziest topping combinations! I love seeing what they come up with every time.
Looking for more amazing Dutch Oven Recipes??
- Dutch Oven Chicken
- Dutch Oven Ribs
- Dutch Oven Potatoes
- Oven Baked Rotisserie Chicken
- Dutch Oven Bread {No Knead}
Dutch Oven Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 brownie mix mixed to box instructions
Optional Toppings
- Berries
- Caramel Sauce
- Chocolate Sauce
- Marshmallows
- Ice Cream
Instructions
- Prepare boxed mix according to instructions.
- Pour mix into dutch oven, using a dutch oven liner if prefered.
- Place 4 hot coals under the dutch oven.
- Place 15-20 hot coals on top of the dutch ovne.
- Bake in a 12-inch dutch oven for 20-30 minutes, checking at 20 minutes to see if brownies are cooked through.
- Remove from heat when a toothpick comes out clean.
Tim PERRY says
I used six coals on the bottom and used 14 coals on the top of a 12 inch dutch oven.. I mixed two mixes to allow for thicker brownies to be processed. I cooked for 30 minutes before I even attempted to view the brownies. Stuck with a tooth pick and there was evidence that a little longer cook time would help. Cooked for five more minutes and success was achieved. Fantastic results and great TEACHING LESSON FOR YOUR GRANDKIDS.!
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!
Alli says
Great tips, Tim!! Thank you for sharing. I love the idea of doing two mixes. Baking with grandkids is the best!! That’s how I learned to bake, by helping my grandmother.
Eliza Miller says
I am competing in a campfire cooking competition. This recipe is perfect for my group!
Alli says
So glad to hear that, Eliza!!
Alli says
Love these ideas for camping!