How to Make Cinnamon Rolls Quickly for Camping?

What do you think about golden Cinnamon Rolls combined with a thin layer of cream on top? Cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite desserts for camping.

Usually I buy cinnamon rolls at the store, and you can just grill them at the campsite and you’re done. Very convenient, right? That’s why I included it in the list of easy camping meals.

But if I have a lot of time to prepare, I still make them myself for a camping trip. Maybe it’s because my recipe only uses ten simple ingredients, most of which I already have in my pantry. Therefore, I can avoid the heavily processed oils, refined sweeteners, and stabilizers often found in store-bought cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients I used to make these delicious Dutch Oven Cinnamon Rolls:

Dough

• 2 ½ cups flour (345g)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (50g)
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast (or 1 packet)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¾ cup milk (whole milk is best)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg

Filling

• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed) (70g)
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 4 cardamom pods, crushed and peeled

Icing Glaze

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

NOTE: If you want to make more rolls, you can increase accordingly.

Equipment

For this recipe, I will be using a 4-quart 10-inch Dutch oven, which for me is perfect. But if you don’t have a campfire available, you can use the oven to grill them, the taste won’t make much of a difference.

Either way, you’ll have a delicious, freshly baked dessert cake!

How to Cook Cinnamon Rolls

Below is my process for making Cinnamon Rolls, from making them at home to baking them at the campsite. If you buy them at the store, you only need to worry about the baking part.

Let’s explore!

At Home

To save time at tyraij campsite, I will prepare almost everything at home:

1. Mix flour, granulated sugar, yeast, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl.
2. In a small bowl, warm the milk and butter in the microwave for 45-60 seconds, until the butter melts. After that, yoy add the milk and butter mixture to the dry ingredients along with the eggs.
3. Mix on medium-low speed for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
4. While the dough rests, prepare the filling. If using whole cardamom pods, crush them with a rolling pin or mortar and pestle. Remove the skin and grind the seeds into powder. Mix cardamom with cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl.
5. Pour the dough onto a floured surface and knead 2-3 times to form a ball. Now, you roll the dough into a 12 in x 8 in rectangle. When you spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, you sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
6. Roll the dough into a tight cylinder, starting at one of the long edges. Use unscented dental floss to cut the cylinder into 8-10 rolls (about 1 inch long). Thread the floss under the roll, cross it over, and pull the ends in opposite directions for a clean cut.
7. Line a Tupperware box with parchment paper and place the rolls inside. If stacking, add tar paper between layers. Mix the ice cream ingredients well (if making at home) and store in a small container. Store the rolls and ice cream in the refrigerator for up to two or three days.

At Camping

Bake rolls at your campsite to enjoy:

1. Remove rolls from refrigerator and place in 4-quart Dutch oven. Cover the oven and let the dough rise while you start the coals or campfire.
2. When the coals are ready, arrange seven coals in a circle and place the cast iron pot on top. Add 16 coals to the lid and bake for 30-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
3. Remove the cast iron pot from the stove and drizzle the cream over the cake (if not ready yet, mix the frosting ingredients now).

So you immediately have delicious cinnamon rolls to enjoy!

Notes

For the frosting, you can add softened butter and brown sugar or add cream cheese to make the frosting thicker if you and everyone else like a thick frosting.

Regarding the cardamom that I added to the filling, it is not a required ingredient. If you don’t like it or can’t find it in the store, you can skip it.

Tips for Better Dishes

I always knead the dough at home before a camping trip, because it’s much easier to prepare in the comfort of your own kitchen. Plus, the dough needs time to rise, and if you make it at camp, you’ll have to prepare it two hours in advance before meals.

When it’s time to grill, take the cake out of the refrigerator before you start lighting the coals. This gives the dough enough time to warm up and begin to rise.

You should line your Dutch oven with oil paper for easy cleaning. You can make the perfect liner by placing the Dutch oven lid on a sheet of greaseproof paper and cutting a circle 2-3 inches wider than the lid.

Conclusion

This recipe is easy, right? So why not add it to the menu for your next camping trip.

Usually I will have it as dessert, but it can also be a great breakfast dish for you when combined with a hot cup of coffee!

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