Easy campfire treats

There is something primal about cooking over a fire. A simple piece of bread or a marshmallow never tastes as good as it does when baked slowly in the embers. If you don’t fancy lighting a campfire in your backyard, these simple recipes also work well on a barbecue.

Serving size 4

In reality, you can cook any bread over a fire. It can be cooked as a loaf in a tin in the embers or — possibly my favourite way — wrapped around a clean stick. When cooked, eat it on its own or slathered with butter or jam.

Ingredients:

• 7 ounces all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 ounce butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
2. Whisk together the melted butter and milk, and then pour into the dry ingredients.
3. Mix until the ingredients are just about combined.
4. Place onto a floured surface, and knead for 30 seconds. Don’t knead too much, or the dough will become tough.
5. Split the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece into a sausage shape, and then wrap each around a clean stick.
6. Toast over a fire until the dough is cooked through. Eat while they’re still warm.

How about planning a family summer get-together to make these campfire treats? >> 

Serving size 1

Simple marshmallows toasted on a campfire are great on their own, but add some chocolate and graham crackers, and you have an even greater s’more. If you can’t cook on a campfire without using a gadget, try this s’more maker from Cuisinart (Amazon, $20).

Ingredients:

• 1 marshmallow
• 1 graham cracker
• Small piece of chocolate

Directions:

1. Place the marshmallow on a skewer, and heat it over the flames until the marshmallow begins to melt.
2. Break your graham cracker in half so you have two squares.
3. Place the piece of chocolate on one of the graham crackers, and then sandwich the marshmallow between this and the other graham cracker.
4. Let it sit for a minute before eating to allow the chocolate to melt.

Discover more marshmallow recipe ideas >> 

Serving size 1

Bananas are one of the best fruits for a campfire, though everyone struggles to resist a warm, gooey banana coated in melted chocolate. You don’t necessarily have to stuff the banana with chocolate; also try marshmallows, peanut butter, caramel, coconut or even a dash of rum.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana, unpeeled
• Chocolate buttons

Directions:

1. Cut a slit down the length of the unpeeled banana, making sure to not cut all the way through.
2. Insert chocolate buttons into the slit.
3. Wrap the banana in foil, and then cook it in the campfire embers for 10 minutes or until the chocolate has melted.
4. Eat the chocolate banana while it’s still warm.

More summer food ideas

Summertime desserts
BBQ dos and don’ts
The perfect summer patio menu