Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler

Time: 45–60 minutes
Best For: Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, beginners, patrols
Setting: Outdoor, campsite, charcoal fire
Prep Level: Easy
Mess Level: Medium
Skill Focus: Dutch oven baking, mixing, heat control, teamwork
Cleanup Level: Medium
Advancement: Cooking skills, outdoor cooking requirements
Equipment: Dutch oven, bowl, spoon, charcoal, can opener
Serves: Group

Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler is a fun dessert for any campout. Youth enjoy making it because it feels a little silly and different. The mix of cake, cherry filling, and ding dongs makes them laugh, but it also gives them a chance to work together. This simple recipe lets everyone take part, even first-time campers.

This cobbler helps young cooks build confidence. They learn how to measure, mix, and follow steps. They also learn to watch the Dutch oven and check the coals. These small tasks teach responsibility in a low-stress way. The reward is a warm dessert they helped make.

The recipe also encourages teamwork. Scouts can divide the jobs. One group can mix the batter, while others get the Dutch oven ready. Some can set out the charcoal. Everyone has a role, and the group feels proud when the cobbler comes out of the oven. Sharing the finished dessert brings a sense of friendship.

Making this cobbler also adds fun to camp life. Youth remember the silly ingredients and the surprise inside. It gives them a break from daily routines. It adds joy and helps them connect with each other. These small moments often become the stories they tell long after the campout ends.

This recipe fits well with the spirit of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and this cobbler gives them a chance to try something new. They mix ingredients, set up charcoal, and watch the Dutch oven. These small tasks help them grow in skill and confidence. They see that simple work can lead to something good.

The cobbler also teaches teamwork. Scouts cannot make it alone. Someone mixes the batter. Someone opens the pie filling. Someone places the coals. Someone checks the heat. Each Scout has a part. When they work together, the dessert turns out well. This shows them how cooperation makes a group stronger.

This recipe also supports outdoor skills. Cooking with charcoal and a Dutch oven takes practice. Scouts learn how heat works and how to manage it. They see how food cooks in the outdoors. These experiences help them feel at home in the campsite. They also prepare them for more challenging meals later.

Most of all, this cobbler builds memories. Scouts gather around the Dutch oven and wait for the marshmallows to melt. They talk, laugh, and enjoy the moment. These times help the troop grow closer. Simple desserts often become stories shared for years.

Equipment and Materials

• Large Dutch oven
• Bowl for mixing
• Spoon for mixing
• Can opener
• Charcoal – 25 briquettes
• Spoon for serving
• Foil – optional

Ingredients

• 2 boxes yellow cake mix
• 6 eggs
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 12 ding dongs
• 20 marshmallows

Setup

1. Prepare the charcoal so it is ready when the Dutch oven is filled.
2. Light 25 briquettes and let them turn gray.
3. Clear a safe space for the Dutch oven.
4. Make sure the lid fits well and both the oven and lid are clean.

Recipe

1. Add the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water to the bowl. Mix well.
2. Open the can of cherry pie filling. Pour it into the bottom of the Dutch oven.
3. Spoon half of the cake batter over the cherry filling.
4. Place the ding dongs on top of the batter.
5. Pour the rest of the batter over the ding dongs.
6. Add the marshmallows on top.
7. Place 8 briquettes under the Dutch oven and 17 briquettes on the lid.
8. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through.

Notes
You can change the flavor by using blueberry or apple pie filling. Chocolate cake mix also works well. Remind Scouts to handle the hot Dutch oven with care. Use heat-resistant gloves and keep hands away from the coals. Make sure the Dutch oven sits on a stable surface so it does not tip.

Click here for a printable copy of the Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler Recipe

Camping Recipes

If this cobbler was a hit with your group, you might enjoy more ideas from the Camping Recipes page on my site. It offers many easy meals for campouts, from foil packs to hearty stews. These recipes help Scouts learn to cook with simple steps and basic tools.

The page also gives tips for planning meals, managing food at camp, and keeping cooking safe. This helps leaders prepare without stress. It is a helpful place to look when you want new dishes that work well for youth and fit the outdoor setting.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Want to try more easy outdoor meals? The Dutch Oven Cooking page on my site shares many simple recipes that work well on campouts. These dishes help Scouts learn basic cooking skills while having fun. They also give leaders ideas for meals that fit any group.

You will find tips on caring for a Dutch oven, managing heat, and choosing the right recipes for youth. These guides help build confidence and make outdoor cooking less stressful. It is a good place to explore more ideas for your next trip.

What Scouts Learn Beyond the Meal

What is Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler?

Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler is a simple Dutch oven dessert made with cake mix, cherry pie filling, and ding dongs. It is easy for Scouts to make and is fun for groups.

Can I make Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler with other fillings?

Yes. Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler can work with blueberry, apple, or peach filling. The recipe stays the same, and the flavor changes.

How long does Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler take to cook?

Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler cooks in about 45 minutes. Check the cake to make sure it is done before removing it from the coals.

Can I make Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler without marshmallows?

Yes. Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler works fine without marshmallows. The top will just be less sweet and less gooey.

Is Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler safe for younger Scouts to help with?

Yes, as long as adults handle the hot Dutch oven and coals. Younger Scouts can mix ingredients and help set up Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler safely.

Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler is a favorite at camp because it feels a little silly and a little surprising. Scouts enjoy the mix of cherry filling, cake batter, and ding dongs hidden inside. It brings laughter to the campsite and gives everyone something fun to look forward to after a long day outdoors.

This recipe also works well for teaching simple cooking skills. Scouts learn to mix batter, layer ingredients, and manage a Dutch oven. They get hands-on experience without feeling stressed. The steps are clear, and the result is worth the wait.

It also helps the group work together. Different Scouts can handle different jobs. Some mix the cake, some place the coals, and others help set the oven. When the cobbler is done, everyone shares in the success.

Ding Dong Cherry Cobbler often becomes a story told long after the campout. The unusual ingredients make the dessert memorable, and the time spent around the Dutch oven helps build friendships. It brings joy and encourages teamwork in a simple way.