Easy Make-Ahead Camping Desserts - The Short Order Cook

For some easy make-ahead camping desserts that will make your vacation even sweeter, try one of these recipes. Whether you want cookies, candy, or something with fruit or chocolate, these are the best dessert for your vacation. Enjoy your trip by making one of these easy desserts before you set out to the campground.

These are amazing desserts to enjoy at your campsite. There are ideas that are great whether you are tent camping, in an RV, renting a cabin, or backpacking in the wilderness. No matter where you are or how you get there, desserts, when you are in the great outdoors, are a wonderful way to end a glorious day.

4 recipe images for snickerdoodles, honey roasted pumpkin seeds, snickers bars, and chocolate chip cookies.

20+ Camping Dessert Recipes

I have broken down the list of best make-ahead camping desserts into different categories. There are also a variety of dietary sections. So depending on what you are craving and what your diet may be, there is something for everyone to love. Here are the types of camping dessert recipes you will find here:

Bars & Cookies
Candy
Sweet Snack Mixes & Muffins
Gluten-Free Desserts
Nut-free, Diary-Free, or Vegan Desserts

Bars & Cookies

Cookies of any kind are the perfect make-ahead dessert for your camping trip. Simply bake up a few dozen before your departure date. They travel, pack, and store well. Plus they last for 3-5 days if sealed in an air-tight container which makes cookies the ideal sweet for camping.

Candy

There is plenty of chocolate to go around with these homemade candies. These desserts work great for those in cabins, motorhomes, or trailers that have refrigeration. If you have a large ice chest, these candy recipes are great to take on your next camping trip.

I do not recommend these desserts for anyone backpacking or who will be without refrigeration. They will be a gooey (though tasty) mess, especially during warm weather. If you are camping in winter or the cold, then they may hold up just fine. You be the judge whether these pre-made desserts will be portable enough for your adventure.

Sweet Snack Mixes & Muffins

Here are some unique recipes to curb your sweet tooth when camping. There are a couple sweet munchies that are a tasty alternative to the same old granola or trail mix. We also love mini muffins for a small bite at any time. They all pack well and are great to take on day hikes for a quick snack.

Gluten-Free Desserts

If you are gluten intolerant, these desserts are for you. They may not seem like the ideal camping recipe but trust me, they work. Whether you want something chocolatey, gooey, or rich & fluffy, any of these will be a great way to end at day out in nature.

Nut-free or Dairy-Free Desserts or Vegan

Here are 3 desserts that meet some of the special diets that you or a loved one may be on. Two of them are vegan (plus gluten-free), the pears and chocolate peanut butter cups. The handheld apple pies & stewed pears are nut-free. The Peanut Butter cups are also keto-friendly. For more low-carb options check out The Best Keto Snacks On the Go.

Other Great Recipes for Camping Desserts

Here are some amazing recipes by other food bloggers. All of them are ideal for a premade sweet treat while on the road. Great RV camping & campfire desserts. Enjoy & happy camping.