Baked apples are a fun, easy dessert to cook in the fire when you're camping.  The basic idea is to core of the center of the apple, fill the center with a filling, wrap the whole thing in foil, and cook it in the fire.

To core an apple, I take a paring knife and, from the top, cut around the core of the apple, but not all the way to the bottom.  Then take a spoon, and use it to remove the core that you just cut around.  It helps if you don't break through to the bottom of the apple.  If possible, leave the bottom of the apple intact.  Also be sure to save a portion of the top of the core that you cut out.  This will be used to keep the filling from leaking out of the apple while you are cooking it.

After you remove the apple core, fill the center of the apple with your favorite filling.  I often use cinnamon and sugar, but there are many other possibilities.  You might like to try brown sugar, red hots, marshmallows, nuts, raisins, caramel, or anything else that you might be able to imagine.  After filling the center of the apple what you're filling, put the top of the core back on.  Now wrap the apple in heavy duty aluminum foil.

After the apple is all ready to go, put it in the coals of your fire.  It may take 45 to 60 minutes to cook the apple.  You might also try cooking the apples in a Dutch oven.  The heat may be a bit easier to regulate, since the apples are not in direct contact with the coals.

After the apple is done them, remove from the fire opening alone foil and enjoy a delicious, hot, baked apple!

Dutch oven desserts are one of the easiest dishes to cook in your dutch oven. Here are five Dutch oven desserts that are especially easy.

Dutch Oven Dessert - Cherry Cobbler

2 30oz cans of cherry filling

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

2 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

First of all, to help with clean up, line your Dutch oven with heavy duty foil. Now pour the cherry pie filling into the Dutch oven and spread it over the bottom. In a bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, oatmeal, and pecans. Add your vanilla. Cut the butter into pieces that are about 1 tbsp in size. Mix into the sugar/flour/oatmeal mixture. You might need to use your hands or a pastry cutter. Spread this topping over the cherries.

Put the lid on the Dutch oven and bake the cobbler, using about 10 briquets on the bottom and 16 on the top. Bake for about 45 minutes. Check and see if the crust is brown and the cherries bubbly. If so, then it is done! Serve this with whipped cream or ice cream. How's that for an easy Dutch oven dessert?

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If you like Dutch oven desserts, here is a great lemon dessert recipe.

Line a 12" Dutch oven with baker's parchment.  Blend the following:

2 cups flour

1 cup soft butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Dash of salt

Combine:

6 eggs, beaten

3 cups sugar

1 cup flour

1/2 cup lemon juice (or try lime juice or half and half)

1 Tablespoon lemon rind, chopped fine (try lime rind)

Pour over cookie crust. Bake for 10 min. remove oven from bottom heat. Add bottom briquets to top. Continue cooking with top heat until mixture sets up, 15-20 minutes or until toothpick removes clean. emove lid. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Let cool. Cut into wedges.

Doug Darling

6 apples

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 1/4 cups water

6 oz orange juice concentrate, thawed

3 tbsp honey 

Wash the apples.  Remove the core, but don't cut all the way through--leave the bottom of the apple intact.  In a bowl, combine the raisins, almonds, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Divide the filling among the apples, stuffing the filling into the apples.  Combine the water, orange juice concentrate and honey and mix until well blended.    Place the apples into the Dutch oven and carefully pour the liquid mixture over the apples.  Bake with 9 briquets on bottom and 26 on the top for 45 minutes until the apples are tender.  Spoon sauce over the apples before serving. 

3 cups peeled, cored and diced apples

1 cup white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 stick [ 1/2 cup] margarine, melted

Place the apples in a Dutch oven and pour white sugar over the top. Let stand 15 minutes. Mix together the brown sugar, flour, and melted margarine. Pour over the apples and bake until golden brown, about 30-45 minutes.

Debbie