Fall is upon us. The days are sometimes cold and wet. The wind whips over the mountain pass. Your rain gear and thermal layers are a bit wetted out. But you hike on. The snow comes in wet and large flakes. Your shoes and socks are wet. An hour before dusk, you gratefully reach camp. The shelter is erected. Your dry sleeping bag is fluffed up. And the stove is broken out. A filling meal is eaten. A hot drink is gratefully consumed.

But the edge of hunger is still there on this chill night. A warm desert would be just right. It would be a filling and psychological boost. And how to fill these needs? Look no further than this oatmeal cookie warmer. Creamy, rich and yummy. Oatmeal is just not for breakfast…it is for dessert too! This recipe serves two chilly backpackers.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Nido milk powder
• 1.5 tbsp powdered butter
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Dash salt
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup crushed ginger
• ¼ cup mix of dried fruit. Raisins and dried apples are a great combination.
• ¼ cup walnuts

At Home

Combine all ingredients in a resealable plastic bag, then mix well.

In Camp

• Add 1.5 cups of water to cook pot
• Add contents of plastic bag to pot and mix
• Bring ingredients to a boil and then simmer over low heat for about 5-7 minutes
• Stir as needed
• When water is mainly absorbed dish is ready to eat.

Editor's Note: This article by contributor Paul Magnanti originally appeared in Issue 30 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.