Campfire Chocolate Jars
Get into the campground with an easy campfire chocolate delight. This stress-free make-ahead dessert can be created a few days before travel and stored in the refrigerator with jar caps on, and once in the campground, add the marshmallows or whipped cream. You can also bring the components along and create the chocolate treat in the campground.
Make it Easy!
The Let’s Go Camping Guide is all about the easy way to get into the campground.
1. Chocolate Pudding
There are so many recipes for chocolate pudding. You can choose a cocoa powder base or a rich combination of bittersweet chocolate with an egg yolk custard. Store it in a sealed container and keep cold if creating jars in the campground.
2. Box of favorite crackers, graham crackers, butter cookies, or wafers. Any cookie robust enough to complement the pudding, but for a s’more like flavor, go with the graham crackers.
3. Marshmallows or whipped cream. Your choice, both work. Using marshmallows, use a mini torch to give the marshmallow that campground favorite topping.
Camp Dessert
Pudding
Cocoa Base
Try one cup of sugar with four cups of milk, 2/3 cups of cocoa powder, three tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt for a cocoa powder base—Stir constantly on medium heat till the mixture comes to a boil-let boil one minute. Remove from heat; add two tablespoons of butter and a teaspoon of vanilla, mix well, and store in an airtight container. The pudding can stay refrigerated up to 6 days. If creating campfire chocolate jars before heading out to the campground, make two layers of chocolate and crackers, then put on the airtight lids without the marshmallows or whipped cream. Add the toppings at the campsite.
Chocolate Base
Take one cup of heavy cream, one cup of milk with one cup of sugar, and one tablespoon of espresso powder, stir constantly on medium heat till all comes to a simmer; whisk five egg yolks and one egg together in a bowl, slowly add a little bit of the hot cream mixture to the eggs a little at a time to temper, return to saucepan on medium heat and stir until back of wooden spoon leaves a mark when you go across it with your fingers. Take off the heat and pour the mixture into a heat-proof bowl filled with two 12 oz bags of chocolate chips; add one teaspoon of vanilla. Try semi-sweet chips with bittersweet chips for a rich chocolate flavor mix. Let the cream and chocolate chips sit until the chocolate melts. Stir to a creamy consistency, strain into an airtight container, put in a refrigerator till ready to make dessert jars.
Crackers
Graham crackers are the favorite go-to for this pudding jar due to the s’more effect, but please play around with the flavors. Remember to use a strong cookie or cracker base to hold up to the thick, creamy texture of the pudding.
Toppings
Toast up some marshmallows or top off with whipping cream. Go full bling with chocolate shavings or chips. Think about nuts or sprinkles for a campfire finish.
Layers
Start with a layer of crackers, then pudding, crackers, then pudding. Top with your favorite finish and enjoy!
Mason jars make it easy, but you can use any container for the delicious campfire dessert.
