Come early autumn each year, one of the most popular family outdoor activities is picking apples. Orchards hold festivals that include hay rides, bonfires, entertainment, tastings, and … of course … apple picking.
You can turn an orchard outing into a long weekend event by throwing camping into the mix. Select your apple picking destination, find a campground nearby (some apple orchards even offer onsite camping) pack your tent or camper, and you’re set for a weekend of memory making. The time you spend together outdoors as a family may even become a wonderful tradition that can go on for generations.
One way or another, the result of your time at the orchard will result in a supply of healthy and delicious apples. In addition to taking that big, crackling, juicy bite of a fresh-picked apple, you need some good ways to use the bounty. And even if your camping trips are without an orchard visit, once you try these three camping-friendly apple recipes, you’re going to make sure apples on your shopping list before every camping trip.
Barbecued Apple Crisp Recipe
Preparing this delicious version of home-baked apple crisp works equally well on either a grill or the grate above a campfire. Set it up so you’re cooking over medium heat – about 350 degrees F.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2-3
Ingredients for Barbecured Apple Crisp
3 apples (sweet/tart baking varieties work best)
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (oatmeal)
6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 Tbsp. butter
Lemon juice
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| Apple and Potato Peeler |
Instructions
1. Preheat grill or adjust grate on campfire to medium heat – about 350 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, sugars, and cinnamon.
3. A two tablespoons of butter (small piecess one at a time), mixing until mixture is crumbly.
4. Put this bowl in the cooler while preparing apples.
5. Wash apples and wipe dry with paper towel.
6. Core and slice apples, but do not peel.
7. Toss apples with a splash of lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
8. Thoroughly butter one side of two 12-inch pieces of aluminum foil.
9. Dump the apples onto the buttered side of one piece of foil.
10. Sprinkle apples evenly with the cooled crumbled mixture.
11. Place the other piece of foil, buttered side down on top of the apple mixture aligning edges with bottom piece of foil.
12. Carefully fold edges in together to create a sealed packet.
13. Wrap the packet in another layer of foil.
14. Place the packet on the preheated grill or campfire for about 25 minutes, turning often for even heating.
15. Allow the packet to cool for at least five minutes when you remove from heat. Then open carefully as contents will still be hot.
16. Garnish with a little more ground cinnamon and enjoy.
Caramel Apple S’mores Recipe
Traditional s’mores with a caramel apple twist. These are sure to be a hit on your next early-fall camping trip. Simple and delicious.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
1-2 medium size fresh apples, cored and thinly sliced into rounds
Graham crackers
Large marshmallows
Caramel sauce ice cream topping
Instructions
1. Carefully break graham crackers in half, and lay out half the halves on a tray.
2. Top each graham cracker half with an apple slice.
3. Drizzle caramel sauce on apple slices.
4. Toast marshmallows over the fire to your preferred doneness.
5. Lay the marshmallow on top of the apple slice and place the other half of the graham cracker on top and squeeze lightly while you remove the roasting stick.
6. Enjoy.
Crescent Roll Apple Dumpling Recipe
Some orchards have bakeries that make and sell apple dumplings. They are delicious and a huge hit. This simplified version for baking in a Dutch oven is easy and brings the apple dumplings right to your campsite – hot and gooey for breakfast.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4-5
Ingredients
2 large apples, peeled, cored and slice into eighths
2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 sticks of butter, well softened
1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 12 oz. can lemon/lime soda or Mountain Dew
Instructions
1. Wash, peel, and cut apples.
2. Unwrap the crescent roll dough and separate triangles.
3. Place one apple slice on the wider end of each piece of dough, and roll into a croissant.
4. Place aluminum foil or liner inside of 12-inch Dutch oven and spray evenly with cooking spray.
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| Lodge Logic Camp Dutch Oven |
5. In a bowl, mix softened butter, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla until it is liquid with no lumps.
6. Lay the croissants into the bottom of the Dutch oven like the Lodge Logic 6-Quart Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven, and pour butter mixture evenly over the top and sides of rolls.
7. Open can of soda, and carefully pour BETWEEN the rolls in the pan, but not on top of them.
8. Place lid on Dutch oven and place 17 gray charcoal briquettes on top and 8 underneath, which equates to about 350 degrees.
9. Back for about 35 minutes turning the lid and the oven on the coals frequently. Begin checking for golden brown doneness at about 20 minutes.
10. Serve piping hot and with more whipped butter.
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