Campers and outdoor cooks are always looking for a quick, tasty, and simple dessert. If the treat is made of Rhubarb, it is just that much better. Here is a recipe that checks all the boxes to make the best Dump!
Rhubarb can be found wild or is a great garden plant. The young stalks are best. They can be red or green in color. Avoid the leaves, as they are poisonous. Folks have been eating rhubarb for generations, so this plant is nothing new. To transplant this resource, simply dig up the tuberous root and transport it to your favorite campsite. They do well along marshy areas. I tend to find wild plants along ditches. You can also buy them at the grocery stores, in season.
The stalks look like big celery stalks. Trim off the leaf and the end. Rinse and cut into inch long pieces. This process can be done ahead of time and stored in the cooler. If you want a redder color, add a few drops of red food coloring or strawberries.
When you are ready to make this meal, get out a baking dish, cast iron fry pan, or a Dutch Oven. Coat with a cooking spray to prevent any sticking.
At a camp, I Dump everything into the Dutch Oven. I have a bed of coals or charcoal ready to bake. At home, use the kitchen oven at 350 degrees. You can also bake this on a outside grill.
4 cups of chopped rhubarb.
1 cup of sugar
1 pkg. of yellow cake mix
1 cup of water
1/3 cup of melted butter
Add the rhubarb to the bottom of the pan. Now sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb followed by the cake mix. Pour the water and melted butter overtop evenly. DO NOT STIR or MIX!
If Rhubarb is not to your taste, use canned peaches or try pears. I once used wild plums that I scavenged at the campsite. You can also add strawberries, blueberries, cherries, or pineapple. Just dump what you like into the pan.
Now bake at 350 degrees for around 45 minutes, or until the top is browned and the rhubarb is bubbly. When using a Dutch Oven, shovel some hot coals to the side of the fire and use that as your heat source. Add some more to the top of the lid. If the coals burn low, add more. You can also make a new heat pad next to the fire. If the oven is too close to the fire, one side will burn. Rotate/ spin the oven for even heating. Pull off the coals and set aside until ready to enjoy.
When I am cooking, I have the Dump set up and ready to go. When I serve the meal, I start the Dump. This dessert is best around a campfire after everyone has finished dinner. They will be surprised when you pull this Dump out at the end.
This dessert is more like a crisp than a cake. Serve in a bowl or coffee cups. Add some whip or ice cream.
This will be the Best Dump that you ever had!
Montana Grant
