Nothing says the fall time like the re-introduction of all things pumpkin flavored. You really don’t have to forego the pumpkin treats just because you are camping. In fact, with our Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight, you will find such a delicious treat you may want to make it all year long! This recipe is super easy those it does take a bit of time to prepare and cool the pie. We like to make this on our first night out and enjoy it all throughout the camping trip.
If you are looking for a classic pumpkin pie you may be surprised, and if we may, delighted. The truth is this will not be like a pumpkin pie. Instead, it will be lighter and fluffier due to the whipped egg whites that are folded in. We do try and find some ways to make it a little easier. We like to use the pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice. Feel free to season this the way you would season your pie at home. There is really no bound to the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or other spices you choose to add. Top this Dutch oven pumpkin delight with some whipped cream and you will have fall in ya mouth.
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The Autumn Adventure Begins
Autumn, with its vibrant foliage and brisk air, has always beckoned to me as the perfect season for camping. It’s a time when the outdoors undergoes a remarkable transformation, painting the world in hues of red, orange, and gold. It’s a season that calls for cozy sweaters, crackling campfires, and, most importantly, indulging in the warm embrace of comfort food. So, one brisk October weekend, my family and I decided to heed the call of the wilderness and venture into the heart of the woods. We sought an adventure wrapped in the spirit of fall. The star of our culinary show on this journey? None other than the delectable Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight.
We left behind the demands of our daily lives and set out for the great outdoors. Our anticipation builds with each mile. Our campsite, nestled beneath towering oak trees, was a sight to behold. The leaves had begun their annual transformation, carpeting the forest floor in a mosaic of fiery reds and sun-kissed yellows. As we set up our temporary home, the rhythmic whispers of rustling leaves served as a reminder of the serenity that awaited us. However, it was the promise of gathering around the campfire and savoring the Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight that truly set our hearts aflutter. This was no ordinary camping trip. It was an autumn adventure, a journey into nature’s vibrant, fiery embrace.
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Gathering Around the Fire
As the sun began its descent beneath the horizon, casting the forest in a warm, golden glow, our campsite transformed into a haven of anticipation. The air held the faint hint of a chill. It was a testament to the approaching autumn night, and the leaves overhead rustled in a symphony of anticipation. With a sense of camaraderie and adventure, we gathered around a crackling campfire. Its dancing flames cast mesmerizing shadows on the trees surrounding us.
In the center of our campfire circle sat our trusty Dutch oven. A seasoned cast-iron vessel that had been our faithful companion on countless outdoor adventures. It had seen its fair share of campfire cooking, from hearty stews to mouthwatering desserts, and tonight, it would once again showcase its culinary prowess. My father, a seasoned campfire chef, assumed the role of the maestro. He was orchestrating the campfire’s dance of flames as he prepared the Dutch oven for the star of the evening. The scrumptious Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight.
The transition from daylight to dusk was enchanting. The sky above us transformed into a mesmerizing canvas of twilight hues, fading from a warm orange to a deep, velvety blue. Stars began to twinkle overhead, their brilliance heightened by the absence of city lights. The campfire’s gentle crackle and pop provided a soothing soundtrack to the evening and the aroma of the smoky wood mingled with the scent of our soon-to-be-prepared dessert. It was a moment of serene togetherness, a pause in the hectic rush of everyday life, where time seemed to slow, and the world was bathed in the soft, flickering light of the campfire.
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The Aromatic Alchemy
The heart of this camping adventure was the Dutch oven, and our chosen recipe was nothing short of perfection. We combined canned pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. It was a symphony of autumnal flavors, and I couldn’t help but sneak a taste of the mixture before it met the Dutch oven. The aroma alone was intoxicating, promising a dessert that would capture the essence of the season.
With the Dutch oven nestled in the glowing embers, we sat around the campfire, sharing stories, roasting marshmallows, and gazing up at the celestial masterpiece above. The scent of the baking pumpkin delight wafted through the air, enhancing the enchantment of the night. It was as though the very essence of autumn had gathered around our campfire, cradling us in its golden embrace.
Pumpkin Perfection
When the moment of truth arrived, and we lifted the Dutch oven’s lid, a warm cloud of pumpkin-scented steam enveloped us. The Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight emerged, a masterpiece of caramelized perfection. We scooped generous portions into bowls, topping each serving with a dollop of whipped cream. As I savored my first bite, I realized that this dish wasn’t just a dessert; it was a portal to the magic of autumn. The blend of spices, the creamy pumpkin, and the communal warmth of our campfire made it a memory etched in my heart. From that day forward, Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight became a cherished tradition, a testament to the beauty of autumn camping and the joy of savoring life’s sweetest moments in the great outdoors.
The Tools
Can you guess what the main tool is here in our Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight? I’ll wait…okay you got it a Dutch oven! While you will also use a mixing bowl, spoons, and parchment paper the Dutch oven is the star of this show. Prepare as we have recommended and the clean-up will be a breeze.
However, we do need to warn you that the actual baking of this pie can be tricky. You will want to start out pre-cooking the shell with direct heat underneath. So make sure you have your coals nice and hot. Then once the filling is added you will need to place the lid on top. The top will get coals now and the bottom will have indirect heat. You will want to try and maintain about 350 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the cooking process. Using a temperature gauge like this one can help you to make sure that you hit that constant temperature.
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Dutch Oven Pumpkin Delight
Equipment
- 12" Dutch Oven
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs
- 1 stick butter
- 1 egg separated into white and yolk
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can pumpkin puree 15 oz can. Homemade pumpkin you canned would be fantastic here!
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice mix You can buy premixed seasoning but if you are making your own use 1tsp nutmeg, 1tsp ginger, and 2 tsp cinnamon. Experiment and adjust these to your own taste!
- Whipped cream Only if you want to…I know I do.
Instructions
- Get your coals nice and hot in your fire.
- While you are waiting for these to heat up place your parchment paper into the dutch oven so that it is covering the sides and bottom. Your pie is going to come out very rough but that is okay because we are roughing it!
- Mix the gingersnap crumbs and the butter together until they start to clump together and are moldable.2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs, 1 stick butter
- Press gingersnap mixture into the bottom of the dutch oven and up the sides as far as you can. Keep it even around the outside.
- Place dutch oven over coals and cook from bottom heat only for 10 minutes. Try to maintain about 350 degrees.
- While the crust is cooking beat the egg white until fluffy and set aside.1 egg
- Mix egg yolk, pumpkin, sugar, milk, salt, pumpkin pie seasoning, and vanilla together until smooth.1 egg, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 can pumpkin puree, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice mix
- Next fold in the egg whites being careful not to knock out too much of the air.
- Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared gingersnap crust. Place dutch oven lid on top. Place coals on top of the dutch oven lid and maintain indirect heat to the bottom. The goal here is to maintain about 350 but not to burn the crust!
- Cool and enjoy with some whipped cream.Whipped cream
