The summers down home always tasted a little sweeter with a fire crackling and the family gathered close. These Campfire Cones bring back those slow nights—sticky fingers, laughter, and the warm glow of stories passed around. They’re simple, nostalgic, and made for sharing.
Why make this recipe
There’s something about the smell of toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate that wraps you up like a quilt. Campfire Cones are easy, portable, and perfect for family nights—whether you’re in the backyard, at the lake, or sitting on the porch watching lightning bugs. They’re foolproof and invite everyone to pick their favorite fillings, just like Mama used to let us pick our biscuits’ jam.
How to make Campfire Cones
Ingredients:
- 12 waffle cones
- 1 package mini marshmallows (16 ounces)
- 1 package chocolate chips (12 ounces)
- optional candies and stuffing ideas: Andes mints, Rolos, mini M&Ms, mini Oreos, peanut butter chips, nutella, cookie butter, peanut butter, sprinkles, gummy bears
Directions:
Fill each cone alternating with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and candy. Finish with your favorite candy on top. Wrap each cone carefully in aluminum foil. Bake on a sheet pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, on the top rack of your grill for 5-7 minutes, or over your campfire grate for 2 – 3 minutes. Allow to cool a few minutes before enjoying.
How to serve Campfire Cones
Serve these warm and slightly gooey, still snug inside their foil wrappings. Let folks peel back the foil a bit and dig right in with napkins handy—it’s a sticky, joyful affair. Pair them with a tall glass of sweet tea for a true Southern night, or with hot cocoa if the evening’s crisp.
How to store Campfire Cones
If you’ve got leftover cones (bless your heart), store them wrapped in foil in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer keeping, place wrapped cones in the fridge for up to 4 days—reheat gently in the oven at 300°F until warmed through. Avoid long storage if you used anything with cream fillings like cookie butter; those are best eaten same day.
Tips to make Campfire Cones
- Pre-portion favorite mix-ins so kids and grown-ups can build their cones at the table. It keeps things tidy and fun.
- Don’t overfill—leave a little room at the top so the marshmallows and chocolate can melt without overflowing too much.
- If using fresh peanut butter or Nutella, add a small spoonful between layers to keep the cones from getting soggy.
- Wrap the bottom tightly with a little extra foil to prevent drips when you hold them.
- For a faster melt in the oven, place cones on a preheated sheet pan so the heat starts working immediately.
Variations (if any)
- S’mores Classic: Marshmallows + chocolate chips + a square of graham cracker broken into pieces inside the cone.
- Mint Dream: Add Andes mints among the chocolate chips for a cool finish.
- Peanut Butter Cup: Add peanut butter chips and chopped Rolos for that salty-sweet hug.
- Cookie Crunch: Toss in mini Oreos or cookie butter for a cookie-style filling.
- Fruity Fun: Add dried fruit or gummy bears for a playful, colorful treat kids love.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: You can assemble them a few hours ahead and keep them wrapped in the fridge. Bake just before serving for the best gooey texture.
Q: What if my cones get soggy?
A: A light layer of chocolate or a thin smear of nut butter inside the cone before filling can act as a barrier and help keep the waffle crisp a little longer.
Q: Can I use regular-sized marshmallows?
A: Yes—toss a couple of regular marshmallows in where a handful of mini ones would go. Just watch the fill level so they don’t overflow.
Q: Are these safe for a grill or over an open flame?
A: Yes—wrap cones tightly in foil and place them on a grill rack or campfire grate. Keep an eye on them so they don’t over-toast.
Q: How can I make them less sweet?
A: Use dark chocolate chips, skip candy pieces, and add toasted nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt to cut the sweetness.
Conclusion
For an extra dose of inspiration and some pretty pictures of different fillings, I often look to a sweet roundup like Campfire Cones | The Girl Who Ate Everything to spark ideas on mix-ins. If you’d like another family-tested take with step-by-step notes for wrapping and grilling, this write-up is a handy reference: Campfire Cones – Stuff ’em, Wrap ’em, Grill ’em, EAT ’em!
Come on over next time you’ve got a fire going—there’s always room for one more cone and one more story. Sharing these little comforts is how we stitch our family nights together.
Campfire Cones
Ingredients
Method
- Fill each cone alternating with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and your choice of optional candies. Finish with your favorite candy on top.
- Wrap each cone carefully in aluminum foil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes, on the top rack of your grill for 5-7 minutes, or over your campfire grate for 2-3 minutes.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.