Campfire Spiced Apple Delight
Indulge in this incredibly simple yet mouthwatering dessert that combines the warmth of spiced apples with a rich cake crust, making it perfect for campfire gatherings or cozy nights at home. With just three main ingredients, this dessert is not only easy to whip up but can also be adapted for a healthier twist using unsweetened applesauce and adjusting the butter. Whether you choose to bake it in a conventional oven or over an open flame in a dutch oven, the Campfire Spiced Apple Delight promises to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet cravings. Be prepared for the delightful aroma that will fill the air as it bakes, leaving everyone yearning for a taste of this sweet, comforting treat!
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Servings
N/A
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
1 (21-ounce can)
Spice Cake Mix
1 (18-ounce box)
Butter or Margarine
1/2 (cup, cut into dollops)
Water
1/2 (cup)
Instructions
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For Conventional Oven:
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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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2. Generously spray the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
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3. Pour the apple pie filling evenly across the bottom of the pan. (For a lighter version, substitute with 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened applesauce).
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4. Sprinkle the spice cake mix evenly over the apple filling.
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5. Cut the butter into small pieces and arrange them in dollops on top of the cake mix. For a healthier version, omit the butter and increase the water to 1 cup.
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6. Slowly drizzle 1/2 cup of water over the top of the entire mixture.
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7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. IMPORTANT: After the first 5 minutes, gently stir the mixture to distribute the water evenly, preventing the top from burning.
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8. Once the cake is springy to the touch, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
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For Dutch Oven:
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1. Start by preparing your campfire with small to medium-sized coals.
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2. Spray the bottom of a 10 or 12-inch dutch oven with cooking spray.
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3. Pour the apple pie filling into the bottom of the dutch oven.
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4. Evenly sprinkle the spice cake mix over the apple filling.
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5. Cut the butter into small pieces and place dollops on top of the cake mix.
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6. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of water over the mixture.
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7. Place the dutch oven into the coals of the fire, and shovel additional coals on top of the oven to ensure even baking.
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8. After about 5 minutes, carefully remove the dutch oven from the fire and stir the contents to combine.
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9. Rotate the dutch oven approximately every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid burning one side. Cooking time may vary from 25 to 45 minutes; check for doneness by ensuring the center is springy but not hard.
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10. Once cooked, remove from fire and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Campfire Spiced Apple Delight?
Campfire Spiced Apple Delight is a simple dessert that combines spiced apples with a rich cake crust, suitable for campfires or home baking.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 main ingredients: apple pie filling, spice cake mix, butter or margarine, and water.
Can I bake this in a conventional oven?
Yes, it can be baked in a conventional oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes.
What size baking pan should I use for the oven method?
A 9x13-inch baking pan is recommended for the conventional oven method.
How do I prepare the pan for baking?
You should generously spray the bottom of the pan or Dutch oven with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Can I make a healthier version of this dessert?
Yes, you can use unsweetened applesauce instead of pie filling and omit the butter while increasing the water to 1 cup.
What is the substitution for apple pie filling?
For a lighter version, you can substitute the 21-ounce can of apple pie filling with 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened applesauce.
How much spice cake mix is required?
The recipe calls for one 18-ounce box of spice cake mix.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, cut into small pieces or dollops.
How much water is needed?
The standard recipe requires 1/2 cup of water drizzled over the top.
Is it necessary to stir the mixture while baking?
Yes, it is important to gently stir the mixture after the first 5 minutes to distribute the water evenly and prevent burning.
How do I cook this in a Dutch oven?
Layer the ingredients in a 10 or 12-inch Dutch oven and place it in campfire coals, adding coals on top of the lid for even heat.
What size Dutch oven is best?
A 10 or 12-inch Dutch oven is the ideal size for this recipe.
How long does it take to cook over a campfire?
Cooking time in a Dutch oven varies from 25 to 45 minutes depending on the heat of the coals.
How often should I rotate the Dutch oven?
You should rotate the Dutch oven approximately every 5 to 10 minutes to avoid burning one side.
How do I know when the dessert is finished cooking?
The dessert is done when the center is springy to the touch but not hard.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either butter or margarine.
Should the water be mixed in initially?
No, the water should be slowly drizzled over the top of the cake mix before baking begins.
What kind of coals are best for the Dutch oven?
Small to medium-sized coals from your campfire are best for even baking.
What is the aroma like while baking?
The dessert produces a delightful, sweet, and spiced aroma that fills the air as it bakes.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is a family-friendly dessert that is easy to prepare and satisfy sweet cravings.
Can this be made in the backcountry?
Yes, it is tagged as a backcountry cooking recipe due to its simplicity and Dutch oven compatibility.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include dessert, camping, easy recipe, Dutch oven, apple dessert, and spice cake.
What is the first step for the oven method?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Do I need to cover the Dutch oven?
Yes, the instructions mention placing coals on top of the oven, which implies the lid must be on.
How should the butter be prepared?
The butter should be cut into small pieces and arranged in dollops on top of the dry cake mix.
Should I serve this hot or cold?
The recipe suggests letting it cool slightly before serving, though it is typically enjoyed warm.
What happens if I use more water?
If you omit the butter for a healthier version, you should increase the water to 1 cup.
Is the cake mix used as a batter?
No, the dry spice cake mix is sprinkled evenly over the apple pie filling.
What makes this recipe 'incredibly simple'?
Its simplicity comes from using only three or four main store-bought ingredients and minimal preparation steps.