Everybody I know is going on or planning a camping trip, an RV adventure, an outdoor barbecue or an indoor grill session.
Did the cold, snowy winter activate whatever primitive gene urges us to charcoal something? Did the wet spring trigger a desire to put on an apron and start a fire sizzling?
Does it matter? The culture of grill is one of the tastiest summer enjoyments and should be indulged, not questioned. So campfire grilling, RV cooking, or backyard BBQing, here are three sure-fire ways to top off a summer tradition in sweet style. Best of all, they start with that American favorite, the chocolate chip cookie.
CHOCOLATE-PEANUT CHIP SKILLET COOKIE
Easy dessert for grilling, RV’ing, camping or the home oven
1 C butter
1 C brown sugar, packed
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbls vanilla
3 C flour
½ C oats, quick cooking
1 tsp sea salt
¾ tsp baking soda
1 C chocolate chips
1 C peanut butter chips
Preheat grill or oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Cream butter then add sugars and mix until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well-combined. Add flour, oats, sea salt, and baking soda to the butter mixture and stir together well. Add in chocolate chips.
Pour chocolate chip cookie dough into a 10-inch, well-seasoned, oven/grill-safe cast iron skillet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked in the center but still soft. Makes one skillet.
TIP: For a faster preparation, use thawed, refrigerated rounds or squares of chocolate chip dough to mold and fit the skillet. Spread a single layer of peanut butter chips over the dough and press in lightly before baking.
GRILLED CHOCOLATE CHIP S’MORE PIZZA
This fun to make and eat recipe is from pillsbury.com
1 pkg (16 oz) refrigerated chocolate chip cookies dough
1/2 C small pieces graham crackers
1/2 C small pieces milk chocolate candy bars
2 C miniature marshmallows
Heat gas or charcoal grill. Spray a pizza pan or a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Press the cookie dough into disk shape and, with a rolling pin, roll the dough into a round or square shape about 1/4 inch thick. (If you forgot to take your rolling pin camping, use your fingers to push and flatten into a shape to fit your pan or sheet. Camping is about making do, right?)
Place the pan on your grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 15 to 20 minutes or until cookie is light golden brown. Remove from grill.
Sprinkle graham cracker pieces evenly over cookie; top with chocolate bar pieces and marshmallows. Return to grill; cook about 2 minutes longer or until marshmallows are golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve warm.
GRILLED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE SUNDAE
An unexpected treat at an outdoor party
4 frozen cookie dough squares, thawed
baking spray
aluminum foil (preferably heavy-duty)
ice cream
fudge sauce, whipped cream, fruit or other toppings
Take a piece of aluminum foil that is about 12×8 and spray it with baking spray. Place 4 pieces of premade cookie dough squares in the middle of the foil, separated about an inch on all sides.
Fold the foil sides and top to enclose the cookie dough in a packet. Leave a small opening at the top to vent steam. The foil becomes a mini oven so make sure you leave enough space at the top to let the heat circulate and evenly cook the cookie dough.
Place on top of a hot grill for 15 minutes or until cookies are completely baked. Let cool. Top with ice cream and your favorite toppings. Makes four sundaes.
TIP: No ice cream? Pack some pudding cups in your cooler. A couple of tablespoons of pudding or mousse make a delicious substitute for ice cream.
