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One-Pan Peach Cake for Camping: A No-Fuss Dutch Oven Dessert

A simple, one-pan peach cake baked in a Dutch oven over a campfire or on a camp stove. Canned peaches and a boxed cake mix do the heavy lifting, so you get a warm, comforting dessert with minimal prep and cleanup.
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Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can (15 oz) sliced peaches in heavy syrup do not drain
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter cubed into 8 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare your campfire or camp stove: For a campfire, light a fire and let it burn down to a bed of hot coals. You'll need about 8-10 coals under the Dutch oven and 14-16 on top for a 10-inch oven (adjust for wind and temperature). For a camp stove, set it to medium-low heat.
  2. Place the Dutch oven or heavy pot on a heat-safe surface. Open the can of peaches and pour the entire contents (peaches and syrup) into the pot. Spread the peaches evenly across the bottom.
  3. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the peaches. Do not stir. Use a spoon to gently level the powder without mixing it into the fruit.
  4. Dot the top of the cake mix with the cubed butter, spacing them evenly. If using cinnamon and nutmeg, sprinkle them over the butter.
  5. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid. For campfire cooking, use a lid lifter to place the oven onto the coals, then arrange the remaining coals on top. For a camp stove, simply cover and let it cook.
  6. Cook for 30-40 minutes, rotating the lid and the oven a quarter turn every 10 minutes to prevent hot spots. The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the heat using heavy gloves or a lid lifter. Let it rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes. The cake will continue to set as it cools slightly.
  8. Scoop servings directly from the pot onto plates or bowls. Serve warm as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you have a cooler.