These camping apples are such a fun and easy dessert! The recipe is very forgiving and can easily be scaled up or down depending on the size of your group.
Start the coals: You can make baked apples using either the embers from a wood fire or charcoal. Make sure to prepare your fire well-enough in advance to allow the larger pieces of wood to burn down to usable embers.
Make the filling: While the fire or charcoal is getting ready, make the filling for the apples. In a small bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, softened butter, butter, and salt.
Carve the apples: Carve out the middle of the apples using a small spoon. Start from the top of the apple and carve your way down into the core, removing the core and all the seeds. The most important thing here is to not carve through to the bottom! (Otherwise, all the butter and brown sugar will drip out, leaving the filling dry and your Dutch oven a sticky mess.)
Fill the apples: Fill the apples with the oats and sugar mixture and pack it down with your spoon.
Bake the applesDutch Oven Method: Place the apples into the Dutch oven and set over a bed of hot charcoals. Make sure all the apples are standing upright. Place the lid on top and cover it with hot charcoal. Ideally, you’re aiming to bake the apples at 350 F. If you are using a 10” 4 quart Dutch oven, that would be 7 coals on the bottom and 14 on top. Depending on the coals and outside temperature, you may need to adjust this number.Foil Method: Tear off a square of aluminum foil and place your apple in the center. Lift the corners towards the center and wrap together. You want the seam at the top and full coverage on the bottom. Using a pair of long-handled tongs, place the individually foil-wrapped apples, top up, to a bed of charcoal or embers.
Bake the apples for about 30 minutes, until the apples are soft and the filling is crunchy on top.
Serve in a bowl, topped with whipped cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Make it Gluten-Free: Choose GF certified oats and brown sugar.Make it Vegan: Use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks, vegan-friendly brown sugar, and coconut whipped cream.