If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of camping with my husband and our three sugar-loving kiddos, it’s this: you never skip dessert. That’s why I’m sharing these 20 campfire cone recipes your family will be begging you to make every time you go camping!
And while s’mores are the OG, campfire cones are our secret weapon. No sticky fingers, no half-burnt marshmallows—just gooey, customized happiness wrapped in foil.
Why Campfire Cones Are the Best Camping Dessert in 2025
Let me tell you why campfire cones have become our family tradition. After a long day of hiking trails and setting up tents, I’m way too tired for complicated desserts.
That’s where these magical little cones come in—they’re basically a dessert that makes itself while we’re telling ghost stories around the fire. And trust me, when you’re the parent who brings campfire cones, you instantly become the hero of the campsite.
Are you the person who goes the extra mile? Want to make your own cones? Get this waffle cone maker and really outshine everyone!
What Are Campfire Cones?
Campfire cones use ice cream cones (or waffle cones) as edible containers filled with your favorite sweet ingredients, wrapped in foil, and heated over a campfire until everything melts together into gooey perfection.
They’re interactive, customizable, and perfect for camping trips (especially truck camping trips), backyard bonfires, or even indoor cooking when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Ready to try truck camping, read this to plan what camping gear you should take.
Essential Base Ingredients:
- Waffle cones or sugar cones (the sturdy kind—I’ve seen the cheap ones collapse and it’s not pretty)
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil (skip the bargain stuff; you’ll thank me later)
- Heat-resistant gloves or tongs (because burned fingers make for cranky campers)
- Optional: Cone holders (after watching my son’s chocolate-loaded creation tip over last summer, these became non-optional in our family)
Why Campfire Cones Are Perfect for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
As someone who’s been planning family camping trips and road trips for over a decade, I’ve tried every dessert hack in the book. Here’s why campfire cones have earned a permanent spot in our camping bin:
- No special equipment needed – Just cones, foil, and a fire (I mean, you’re camping—you’ve got at least two of those already)
- Less mess than traditional s’mores – The cone contains all the gooey goodness, which means fewer chocolate smudges on the tent zipper
- Customizable for everyone – My picky eater gets just chocolate chips, my husband loads up with literally everything, and I can make mine with dark chocolate without complaints
- Make-ahead friendly – I assemble these at home while packing the cooler, then they’re ready whenever we want dessert
- Kid-approved – Even my teenager thinks they’re cool, which is the highest praise possible
- Perfect for groups – Last reunion, I set up a campfire cone bar and became the favorite aunt overnight
Why Campfire Cones Are the Ultimate Camping Dessert
I still remember the first time we tried making these at our family’s trip to Norris Lake in Tennessee. Did I forget the Graham crackers? Yes, I did. No s’mores did not equal happy campers at that moment.
But that night, huddled around our “beachside” fire pit, we discovered campfire cones, and suddenly missing out on traditional s’mores wasn’t so tragic anymore. I had some random waffle cones from a birthday we had been to earlier that day, and I had remembered seeing this camping hack online, so it was time to try it out.
Whether you’re roughing it in a tent, glamping in an RV with all the comforts, or just firing up the backyard fire pit on a Tuesday night, these foil-wrapped treats are about to become your new family tradition.
Trust me—I’m the one who makes sure there’s enough chocolate packed before we even think about loading the cooler.
20 Delicious Campfire Cone Combinations
1. Classic Hot Chocolate Cone
Fill your cone with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed graham crackers. I’ve learned to put chocolate on the bottom so it melts properly—rookie mistake I made our first camping trip that left us with solid chocolate chunks.
Mom Tip: This one gets super sticky—pack extra napkins if your little one is a chocolate chip overachiever like mine.
2. Banana Split Cone
Layer banana slices, strawberry pieces, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Pro tip: pre-slice your bananas at home and toss with a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Learned that one after a sad-looking brown banana situation in 2022.
Camper Tip: Add a layer of mini marshmallows on top to help seal everything together while it melts. Works like edible glue!
3. Peanut Butter Cup Paradise
Combine peanut butter chips, chocolate pieces, and mini marshmallows. My husband insists on adding “just one more” scoop of peanut butter chips every time, and honestly, he’s not wrong.
4. Berry Cheesecake Cone
Mix white chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers, and fresh berries (blueberries and raspberries work great). The white chocolate creates a cheesecake-like flavor when melted.
5. Caramel Apple Delight
Fill your cone with diced apples, caramel bits, cinnamon, and a sprinkle of granola for a warm caramel apple treat.
6. Tropical Dream
Combine shredded coconut, white chocolate chips, dried pineapple pieces, and chopped macadamia nuts for a taste of the tropics.
7. Chocolate Mint Mountain
Layer mint chocolate chips (or regular chocolate with a few drops of mint extract on a piece of marshmallow) with mini marshmallows for a refreshing chocolate mint dessert.
8. Cookies & Cream Creation
Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies mixed with white chocolate chips and marshmallows create a warm cookies and cream dessert.
9. Nutella Hazelnut Heaven
Spread Nutella inside the cone, then add chopped hazelnuts and mini marshmallows for a European-inspired treat.
10. Salted Caramel Pretzel
Combine caramel bits, chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, and a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and salty masterpiece.
11. Cherry Cordial Cone
Fill with chocolate chips, maraschino cherries (patted dry), and mini marshmallows for a cherry cordial-inspired dessert.
12. Maple Bacon Surprise
For adventurous eaters, try crumbled cooked bacon pieces, maple syrup drizzle, and white chocolate chips for a sweet-savory combination.
13. Rocky Road Adventure
Mix chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and chopped almonds for a classic rocky road experience.
14. Lemon Blueberry Bliss
White chocolate chips, dried blueberries, and lemon zest create a refreshing fruity cone.
15. Churro Cone
Brush the inside of your cone with melted butter, then coat with cinnamon sugar before adding white chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
16. Strawberry Shortcake
Layer dried or fresh strawberries, white chocolate chips, and crumbled shortbread cookies.
17. Campfire Tiramisu
Fill with chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans, white chocolate, and crushed ladyfingers for a simplified tiramisu experience.
18. Apple Pie à la Mode
Combine dried apple pieces, cinnamon chips, white chocolate, and crushed graham crackers for an apple pie-inspired dessert.
19. Pecan Pie Cone
Mix chopped pecans, brown sugar, a tiny pat of butter, and chocolate chips for a warm pecan pie flavor.
20. Birthday Cake Celebration
White chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, and crumbled vanilla wafers create a festive birthday cake-inspired treat.
How to Make Campfire Cones
- Prep your ingredients – I always chop everything at home and store in labeled baggies. Trust me, trying to chop chocolate on a picnic table with mosquitoes attacking is no fun.
- Fill your cone – Layer your chosen ingredients inside the waffle cone, leaving a little space at the top. This is where my kids go wild with creation, though last time my son tried fitting an entire candy bar inside. Spoiler: it doesn’t work.
- Wrap it up – Completely wrap the cone in heavy-duty aluminum foil, twisting the top to seal. I’ve learned the hard way: don’t skip the double layer of foil if your cone’s filled to the brim.
- Heat it – Place the wrapped cone near the edge of the campfire coals (not directly in flames) for about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally. My husband always volunteers for this job because it makes him feel like he’s “cooking.”
- Check and serve – Carefully remove, unwrap the top to check if ingredients have melted. Let cool slightly before enjoying—another lesson learned from watching my daughter’s “hot-hot-hot” dance after biting in too soon.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Tipping troubles? If your cone tips over while heating, the contents might slide out—use a rock or a cone holder to keep it upright. Last summer, I started bringing a muffin tin to hold cones steady during both prep and heating phases.
- Not fully melted? If you unwrap and it’s not fully melted, simply rewrap and give it another minute. Just don’t leave it too long or the cone will get soggy. We use a “test cone” when making multiple cones to get the timing just right.
- Cone cracked? Wrap an extra piece of foil around the bottom of the cone before filling. This provides structural support and catches any leaks if the cone cracks during cooking. Saved many desserts on our mountain camping trips where the heat is less predictable.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Campfire Cones
- Pack smart: Pre-measure ingredient combinations in small containers or bags if camping. I use silicone snack bags with everyone’s names on them—cuts the “Mom, he took all the chocolate chips!” drama by 100%.
- Don’t overfill: Leave about ½ inch at the top of the cone to prevent overflow. Remember that one time at Lake Superior when I didn’t follow this advice? The resulting “lava flow” of marshmallow is still legendary in our family chat.
- Double-wrap: For extra protection, use two layers of foil. After watching my carefully crafted salted caramel cone collapse through a single layer of foil last summer, this is my non-negotiable rule.
- Watch closely: They can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so monitor them. My husband has a special “cone timer” on his phone after incinerating three cones in a row during our 2023 Yellowstone trip.
- Kid-friendly option: Set up a “cone bar” with various ingredients and let everyone create their own combination. Last family reunion, this kept 12 cousins happily occupied for an hour—worth the prep alone.
Read this if you think you’ll need a little extra organization in the back of your truck on the way to the campsite.
Essential Gear for Campfire Cone Success
After many years of cone-making trial and error, here’s what I always make sure is in our camping bin:
- Premium Waffle Cone Maker – For the truly dedicated, making fresh homemade cones before your trip is next-level. My kids call Saturday “cone day” during camping season.
- Cone Holders – After watching my daughter’s masterpiece topple into the dirt, these became mandatory equipment in our family.
- Long-Handled Campfire Tongs – Because I like my eyebrows unsinged, thank you very much.
- Silicone Collapsible Containers – Perfect for pre-measuring and transporting ingredients without taking up precious cooler space.
- Heat-Resistant Gloves – My husband insisted these were unnecessary until he burned his fingers three trips in a row.
- Portable Fire Pit – For backyard cone-making when camping isn’t an option, or for beach trips where fires need to be contained.
- Divided Storage Containers – Keep chocolate chips, marshmallows and other fillings separate and fresh. Trust me, finding one container of all your ingredients melted together is disappointing.
- Extra-Thick Heavy-Duty Aluminum Foil – The regular stuff just doesn’t cut it—I’ve seen too many tragic cone collapses from flimsy foil.
- Insulated Food Carrier – For transporting pre-made cones to your campsite without everything melting on hot days.
- LED Camping Lantern – Because trying to check if your cone is done in the dark is how you end up with charcoal dessert (ask me how I know).
FAQs About Campfire Cones
Can I make campfire cones without a campfire?
Absolutely! We make these year-round. They work great in an oven (350°F for about 5-7 minutes), on a grill (medium heat, indirect cooking area), or even in a microwave (about 30 seconds, watching carefully). Last winter, we had an indoor “camping night” with cones made in the oven while watching camping movies.
How far in advance can I prepare the cones?
You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance if refrigerated. I often prep everything the night before a trip, though I’ve learned to keep the banana slices separate until cooking time, or you’ll have brown bananas.
Are there any dietary restriction options?
As the mom of a child with celiac, I can confirm these are super adaptable! Use gluten-free cones for gluten sensitivities, dairy-free chocolate for lactose intolerance, and plant-based marshmallows for vegan options. The gluten-free cones actually hold up better over the fire than regular ones in my experience.
How do I know when they’re done cooking?
This was my biggest learning curve! Carefully peek inside the foil after about 3-4 minutes. When the chocolate and marshmallows are melted, they’re ready to enjoy! My husband created the “tilt test” – gently tilt the cone, and if the contents shift, it’s ready.
Can I freeze leftover prepared cones?
While technically you could, I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture of the cone may become soggy upon thawing. But honestly, we’ve never had leftover cones in 10+ years of making these—they disappear too quickly!
These campfire cones are more than just a dessert—they’re an experience that creates lasting memories. Perfect for family camping trips, backyard gatherings, or anytime you’re craving a creative sweet treat in the great outdoors.
Share Your Creations!
What’s your favorite campfire cone combination? Try these ideas on your next outdoor adventure and discover your own signature cone creation! Tag us in your campfire cone photos with #CampfireConeCreations and #OutdoorDesserts.
More Easy Outdoor Desserts to Make While Camping
When you’ve mastered campfire cones (or if your family is like mine and demands dessert variety), here are some other easy camping treats we rotate through:
- Dutch Oven Cobblers – My father-in-law’s specialty. He guards his peach cobbler recipe like it’s a state secret, but the kids always beg for it on our multi-family trips.
- Grilled Fruit Skewers – For when I’m trying to balance out all the sugar from the night before. Thread pineapple, peaches, and bananas on skewers, grill until caramelized, then drizzle with honey. My “healthy mom” attempt that actually tastes amazing.
- Banana Boats – My childhood camping favorite! Slice bananas lengthwise (still in the peel), stuff with chocolate and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and heat. My daughter calls these “banana canoes” and insists they’re better than actual canoeing.
- No-Bake Cheesecake Cups – For glamping trips when I’m feeling fancy. Pre-make individual graham cracker crusts in cups, top with no-bake cheesecake filling at camp, and add fresh berries. Last time I made these, another camping family literally applauded.
- Campfire Donuts – My son’s favorite morning treat. Use refrigerated biscuit dough, poke holes in the center, fry in a pan with oil, then roll in cinnamon sugar. Nothing like starting the day with sugared-up kids, right?
- Stuffed Apples – Our fall camping tradition. Core apples, fill with brown sugar, cinnamon, and granola, wrap in foil, and bake in coals. The smell alone makes everyone at neighboring campsites jealous.
- S’mores Nachos – For when I forget the cones but still have all the ingredients. Layer graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows in a cast iron skillet, heat until melty, then let everyone dig in. Significantly messier than cones, but no one ever complains.
- Campfire Eclairs – My fancy-sounding but actually super easy backup plan. Wrap crescent roll dough around a foil-wrapped stick, cook over fire, then fill with pudding and top with chocolate. Pro tip: instant pudding cups make this almost too easy.
- Pancake Cake – For using up leftover breakfast pancakes. Stack them with layers of Nutella, peanut butter, or jam between each layer. My husband calls this “camp cuisine innovation” but it’s really just me not wanting to waste food.
- Bread Pudding Foil Packets – For using up the slightly stale hot dog buns from yesterday’s lunch. Mix cubed bread, eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon in foil packets. This is what I make when I’ve been camping for five days and am running out of both food and energy.
