Go Back

Campfire Camping Cake

A moist chocolate layer cake decorated like a cozy campsite with cookie dirt, wafer log campfire, marshmallow flames, buttercream trees, and a frosting river. A fun centerpiece dessert for camping-themed celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk or milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3½ cups powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ –½ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
Decorations
  • Chocolate sandwich cookies crushed (for dirt)
  • Chocolate wafer rolls or Pirouette cookies logs
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Red and orange candy or fruit leather flames
  • Green buttercream trees
  • Blue buttercream river
  • Small candy rocks or chocolate pieces optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
  4. Slowly stir in hot coffee or water. Batter will be thin.
  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
  6. Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, milk, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
  7. Stack cake layers with frosting between. Frost entire cake smoothly.
  8. Press crushed cookies onto the top for dirt.
  9. Pipe a blue frosting river across the surface.
  10. Arrange wafer cookies in a small pile for the campfire.
  11. Add marshmallows and candy flames in the center.
  12. Pipe green trees around the edges and add candy rocks if using.
  13. Chill briefly, slice, and serve.

Notes

  • Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
  • Swap chocolate cake for vanilla if preferred.
  • Add graham cracker crumbs for extra campsite texture.
  • Toy tents or animals can be added for kids’ parties.