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Dutch Oven Bananas Foster Cake


My husband and I love to go camping. Whether it is tent camping in the nation's capitol, taking the popup camper to Pigeon Forge, or renting a cabin in Cherokee, camping is our choice of vacation methods. The great thing about camping is that you have the time to just sit around a warm campfire and enjoy the beauty of nature around you. Another thing we love about camping is campfire cooking. My husband has been cooking on campfires for years and I have found a great appreciation for the art as well. I say "art" because you really do have to understand the coal ratios and heat distributions in order to successfully cook and not burn your food.
As we prepare for our first camping trip of the summer, "Dutch Oven Fever" has begun to take hold. Tonight, we decided to experiment with a new recipe. With a large number of ripe bananas on hand and a cake mix in the cabinet, it was time to create a Bananas Foster Cake. The result was surprisingly moist and perfectly sweet. You can make this in your oven, but I would still recommend a cast iron skillet for baking. So at your next cookout or camping trip, impress your friends and family with this delicious dessert!
1 Stick Butter
1 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
2 Tablespoons White Rum
6 Ripe Bananas, Peeled and Sliced on Diagonal
1 Box Golden Yellow Cake Mix
3 Eggs
1 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla

1. Heat charcoal until ashy. 
2. Place 7 briquettes on the bottom of the cooking surface. Place the Dutch Oven on top of the briquettes. 
3. Add butter to the pan until melted, making sure to also coat the sides of the pot. 
4. Stir in brown sugar and rum. Continue to stir until dissolved. 
5. Place the sliced bananas into the sugar mixture. Allow to sit for 3 minutes.
6. While the bananas are warming, combine the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until just combined.
7. Pour the cake batter over the banana and sugar mixture. Carefully stir the banana sugar mixture into the batter. You do not want to completely combine the layers, just gently swirl.
8. Place the lid on top of the oven. Place 18 coals on top of the lid. This ratio will create an approximate 350 degree cooking temperature for a 10 inch dutch oven.  
9. Cook for 40 minutes. The cake should be deeply golden on top. 
10. Carefully remove the lid without dumping ash into the cake.
11. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. 
12. Carefully flip the cake onto a large plate.
13. Enjoy immediately!

Note: If you are baking in the oven, complete steps 2-6 on the stove top in a large cast iron skillet and then bake at 350 degrees until cooked throughout.


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