Table Rock Lake and Campfire Donuts

I went on my first camping trip of the summer this week. My whole family was able to make it, including my brother and his wife. We also were visited by several Canadian geese, who ate more of our hot-dog buns than we did.

I knew it was going to be a good trip when we arrived at Table Rock State Park to find our favorite campsite vacant. It may not look like much, but we love the easy water access.

It was a blessedly calm few days — which was very needed after what has seemed like a ceaselessly chaotic few months. We spent most of our time just talking, with a few card games and long walks mixed in for variety.

Our other pastime was what my family jokingly calls “rural eating.” After about a month of strict adherence to our diet, we splurged and tried out a few new campfire recipes. By far, my favorite was a recipe my mom found for campfire donuts.

For best results, begin by drinking coffee — especially if you were up late enjoying the stars and night sounds.

Open a can of jumbo butter-flavored biscuits. Cut each biscuit into four pieces. Because there were six of us there for breakfast, we opened two cans.

Melt some butter. Make sure you bring a small sauce pan with you, or else you’ll have to use a skillet like we did.

Spear a piece of biscuit onto a roasting fork.

Roast over the fire until the donut is puffy and golden brown.

Dip donut in butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Enjoy. Repeat. Enjoy. Repeat. Enjoy.

It took us quite awhile to use up the biscuit dough, but the time spent laughing and trying to avoid getting smoke in our eyes was half the fun.

You can view the original campfire donuts recipe here.

We were so full, we had to postpone our second-breakfasts until lunchtime — campfire hash, another keeper.