Showing posts with label dessert. Show all posts

Friday

Disney Recipes: Yachtsman Steakhouse Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cornbread

Happy Foodie Friday Folks!
This week’s featured food favorite is a delicious dessert recipe from Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Yachtsman Steakhouse is a Family-Friendly Signature Dining experience that serves up the most mouthwatering steaks and fish dinners.
This recipe is one way I like to bring the magic of Disney into our home. I save the Grand Marnier version for special occasions. It's still delicious and everyone raves about it.
Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cornbread
Disney Recipe Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cornbread

Disney Recipe Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cornbread

Yachtsman Steakhouse, Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, photo ©Disney

Disney Recipes: Epcot Le Cellier Steakhouse’s Maple Crème Brûlée

Our Featured Disney Recipe: Maple Creme Brulee
Location: Le Cellier Canada- Epcot World Showcase

This week’s featured foodie favorite is my husbands dessert of choice at Le Cellier in the World Showcase at Epcot. Le Cellier is our go-to restaurant for a romantic couples dinner. We can count on it as being a fabulous meal and the Maple Creme Brulee is the perfect sweet ending. My review: Dinner for Two at Le Cellier

This recipe isn't too complicated and would be fun for a special dinner or your next party. I might make it for my #DisneySideDisney Home celebration.

Favorite Disney Bakery

Tops on my list is Disney's BoardWalk Bakery which is conveniently located downstairs from our Disney Vacation Club home resort, The BoardWalk Villas and The BoardWalk Inn. This is one of the few bakeries on Disney property that you can watch professional bakers prepare and bake cakes, muffins, cupcakes even wedding cakes!

A family vacation tradition started with The BoardWalk Bakery many years ago.
Each morning one or two of the boys in our group wakes up early, grabs our refillable mugs, room card key and does what we call the "Bun Run" down to the bakery to bring back delicious freshly baked treats for the family.

Happy National Pretzel Day ~ Vote For Your Favorite!

Today is “National Pretzel Day” and from the Mickey Mouse Pretzel to the Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel, Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts have a variety of pretzels to satisfy your sweet, salty (or savory) tooth. When I saw that The Disney Parks InsidEARS Community Managers were sharing their favorite prized pretzels from the parks (try saying that ten times fast) in honor of this fun holiday I thought it would be fun to take a poll and see what your favorites are.

First let's see what our Disney Parks InsidEARS Community Managers have to say...

Here are just some of the locations you can pick up your favorite soft pretzel at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

Disneyland Resort

-Wetzel’s Pretzels®, Downtown Disney District: Located next to RIDEMAKERZ and Haagen-Dazs®, snack on fresh, fancy pretzels like the Cheese Meltdown, Grateful Garlic and Sinful Cinnamon.

-Bayside Brews, Disney California Adventure park: Enjoy a brew (if you’re over 21, of course) and a variety of soft pretzels like the Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel, Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel and Mickey Mouse Pretzel with Cheese.

-Bengal Barbecue, Disneyland park: The Mickey Mouse Pretzel and Jalapeno Cheese-Filled Pretzels serve as extra provisions on your journey through Adventureland.

-Refreshment Corner, Disneyland park: Mickey Mouse Pretzel, Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel and Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel. Add a cup of cheese to your pretzel for extra dipping delight.

Disneyland Pretzel Carts

- Fantasyland (Mickey Pretzel & Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel) in the area in front of “it’s a small world”

- Tomorrowland (Mickey Pretzel & Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel) in front of Red Rockett’s Pizza Port

- Frontierland (Mickey Pretzel & Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel) across from the Mark Twain Riverboat Dock

Walt Disney World Resort
-Wetzel’s Pretzels®, Downtown Disney West Side: Wetzel’s Pretzels is a perfect stop to fuel up between shopping, dining and entertainment adventures. Located next to Characters in Flight and the bridge to Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, there are seven tasty varieties of pretzels and dipping sauce options. Be sure to try the Pepperoni Twist — a fresh-baked cheese pretzel topped with pepperoni. Or try the Sinful Cinnamon — a sweet treat coated with cinnamon and sugar. Grab a table on the patio to enjoy the atmosphere and your twisted treat.

-Germany pavilion, Epcot World Showcase: Make a stop in the quaint German village at Epcot for an authentic snack as you tour World Showcase. Chomp on a flavorful hand stretched pretzel (or “bretzeln” as they say in Germany) to the tune of authentic music as you get lost in the charming cobblestone plaza.

-Frontierland, Magic Kingdom theme park: This Mickey Mouse-shaped, tasty treat is the talk of the town and, here at Walt Disney World, is only available at one location: Frontierland Pretzel Wagon. You can find the wagon between the Diamond Horseshoe and Pecos Bill Cafe (next to the Turkey Leg cart). The cheese or chocolate dipping sauces are the “icing on the pretzel” that make this a must-eat treat.

More Pretzel Fun at Walt Disney World:
All Disney theme parks have their special sprinkling of pretzel options. Be on the lookout for a popular fan favorite, the Cream Cheese Pretzel. This pretzel is filled with a sweet cream cheese and dusted with sweet crumbs. You can find this one at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, the Pretzel Garden cart on The Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Fife & Drum Tavern at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. Also featured at Fife & Drum Tavern, and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, is the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel. It’s a perfectly pretzel way to spice up any day — but especially on National Pretzel Day!

Now it's time to vote! What's your favorite pretzel at The Disney Parks? Leave your vote in the comments section below. Be sure to tell us if it's in DL or WDW.

My favorite pretzel in the Disney Parks is in Epcot's Germany Pavilion while sipping a nice cool drink enjoying the German music...ah, I can't wait for my next visit!

Have a Disney Day!

Thanks for stopping by Focused on the Magic.com

5 Delectable Disney Desserts & Snacks

Today we're focused on our Top 5 Disney Snacks. One of my favorite topics and one I just love to write about. I recently wrote an article for Red The Magical Blogorail Loop listing my Favorite 8 Great Disney Snacks, which you can read HERE.

There are plenty of delectable desserts and snacks options I enjoy in the Parks and being a major foodie it's easy for me to go on and on. Today instead of prattling on endlessly, I have to keep it to 5 of our family favorite snack and desserts. Here they are and in no particular order.

1. From Via Napoli, The Tiramasu

Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers and chocolate. Oh what a delight it is!

2. From Palo, Chocolate Souffle. I can still taste it! This picture is with permission from Disney. There is no way I could do this heavenly dessert justice in a picture. I usually try to snap a few pictures first but it's difficult when faced with a fabulous dessert. Sometimes it's best to just enjoy the food and leave the pictures to the experts:) If you would like the fabulous recipe for this Chocolate Souffle, click here.

Disney Cruise Line, Palo, Chocolate Souffle

3. Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni aka "Ugly but Good". Amarena cherry & vanilla gelato sundae with the "Ugly But Good Cookies":) All incredibly delicious. The vanilla ice cream is rich homemade goodness. This item was removed from the menu, I'm sad to report. Maybe if we all request it'll be brought back.

Via Napoli, Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni , "Ugly but Good"

Epcot, Via Naploi, Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni "Ugly but Good"

4. Turkey Legs -- not my favorite, that's for sure. My kids like to dig in though. I think they look like dinosaur bones but Disney Guest gobble up more than 1.2 million pounds of Turkey Legs every year in the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

5. Dreamy Strawberry Cheesecake -- this can be found on many menus in Disney World. I think the best one I've had was at The Grand Floridian Cafe. Not to be missed! This picture is from Disney with permission. Again, my pictures were ugly and this deserves a beautiful tasteful picture. Click Here for the recipe.

Do you have a special Disney snack or dessert that you enjoy in the Parks?

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This post is part a great Foodie Hop. Be sure to stop by Disney Day by Day and see all the yummy blog posts linked up to the hop!

Have a Disney Day!

Friday

8 Great Walt Disney World Snacks

One of my favorite park pastimes is snacking. I have enjoyed delicious Walt Disney World snack offerings in just about all the resorts and definitely all of the parks.
It’s become a special treat for me, that is best enjoyed after I’ve spent hours touring the parks and need a quiet break or just watch a parade.

I haven’t as yet planned my days around snacking, except when I’ve met with fellow Disney fans for a Dole Whip meet.
With so many tasty delights to choose from I thought it best to limit myself to my absolutely couldn’t tour without it, best of the best.

#8 The American Dream - Layers of frozen strawberry, vanilla ice-cream and frozen blue raspberry heaven. This frozen concoction of ice cream goodness can be found appropriately, at the kiosk in front The American Adventure in Epcot’s World Showcase. On a hot day this is sure to cause brain freeze if enjoyed too quickly, so take it over to lake and enjoy a gentle breeze in the shade. $3.99 or 1 DDP snack credit.

#7 Mickey Rice Krispie Treats -- found in a variety of sizes, my boys always enjoyed the jumbo size as pictured here. I would go for the chocolate covered if I had a choice:) The smaller ones are 1 DDP snack credit and travel well. I usually stock up at the end of the trip to bring home as fun reminders of Disney.

#6 Carrot Cake Cookie – This is my favorite treat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and one I’ve written about glowingly here. You can find it at either the Writer’s Stop or Sweet Spells. The Carrot Cake Cookie is perfect with a Writer’s Stop fresh brewed cup of coffee.

#5 Zebra Domes – These little tasty sponge cakes filled with Kahlua Liqueur and espresso coffee, dipped in milk chocolate have become a huge favorite with Disney fans and for good reason. I can’t visit Boma or Mara without tasting a few. This is one snack I might consider worth making a special trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge for. They can be found as a dessert item at Boma, or a snack item at Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

#4 Black & White Ice Cream Soda - This classic soda fountain favorite from the 40’s can be gotten at Seashore Sweets on the Boardwalk in front of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort or at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club resort. It’s a delicious combination of chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. Seashore Sweets serves hand dipped Edy’s Ice Cream in single, double and ice cream sodas. Seashore Sweets also specialize in old fashioned candies, salt water taffy, fudge and other “Confections served with Affection.”

#3 Mickey's Ice Cream Sandwich - I love both the Mickey's Ice Cream Sandwich and the Mickey's Ice Cream Bar but the sandwich came out ahead as I think it's a little easier to eat in the Florida heat. I'm always racing to eat the bar before it melts and drips. The sandwich can be savored and enjoyed while watching a parade or just hanging out by the Swan boat landing.
I usually eat the ears first. How do you eat yours?

#2 M&M Chocolate Covered Apple- This mouth watering little candy coated M&M treat was found in the German Pavilion and quickly devoured by my son before I got a chance to take a snap of him eating it. On second thought his chocolate covered face wouldn't have been a very pretty picture. They are also offered at Goofy's Candy Kitchen located in Downtown Disney.

Goofy's Candy Kitchen is snack central for us when we're in Disney World. My sons spend their snack credits getting all kinds of goodies. We also enjoy watching as the CMs prepare delectable treats in the open kitchen. If you hang around long enough (as we often do) while they're making fudge you may get to sample it. Yum, fresh peanut butter fudge is divine!!

#1 Dole Whip - This soft serve delight is at the top of my favorite list and a snack I've written about often. You can read my posts here and here. It's one snack I’ve never tasted outside of the parks which makes even more special for me. They have a healthy dose of vitamin C, they're fat free, cholesterol free, lactose free and only 80 calories for a 1/2 cup serving. Not a lot of calories for a dessert. Walking around the park would burn a Dole Whip off pretty quickly. Dole Whips can be found in The Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle, or Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Resort. Captain Cook’s offers a self serve Dole Whip in pineapple or vanilla. At the Aloha Isle, you can get the famous pineapple flavor or vanilla or orange flavors. They’re served straight up in a cup or as a float. I prefer the cup whereas the rest of my family enjoys floats. Except Paul, who dislikes Dole Whips. Hard for me to believe but that's a whole other post!

Last but not least and not counted in my 8 GREAT snacks but is an old fave -- the Citrus Swirl which is officially back at the Magic Kingdom's Sunshine Tree Terrace. I can't wait to experience it once again!

There you have it, 8 GREAT Disney snacks. I could go on all day about Disney snacks.

What's your favorite snack?

Hope you are having a magical day!

Tuesday

6 Favorite Walt Disney World Snacks

When a snack attack happens to you while you are in Walt Disney World there are numerous delicious snack offerings in just about all the resorts and all the parks to choose from.

With so many tasty delights to choose from I thought it best to limit myself to my absolutely could not tour without it, top six.

My Top 6 Snacks in Walt Disney World:

Dole Whip - This soft serve delight is at the top of my favorite list and a snack I've written about often. You can read my posts here and here. It's one snack I’ve never tasted outside of the parks which makes even more special for me. They have a healthy dose of vitamin C, they're fat free, cholesterol free, lactose free and only 80 calories for a 1/2 cup serving. Not a lot of calories for a dessert. Walking around the park would burn a Dole Whip off pretty quickly.

Dole Whips can be found in The Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle, or Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Resort. Captain Cook’s offers a self serve Dole Whip in pineapple or vanilla. At the Aloha Isle, you can get the famous pineapple flavor or vanilla or orange flavors. They’re served straight up in a cup or as a float. I prefer the cup whereas the rest of my family enjoys floats. Except Paul, who dislikes Dole Whips. Hard for me to believe but that's a whole other post!

Virtual Food & Wine Festival ~ Germany

Welcome to The Virtual Food & Wine Festival. In honor of Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival a few Disney bloggers have gathered together their special culinary talents and prepared a virtual F&W Festival!

You're all invited to visit each blog and virtually eat your way around the World Showcase! Please visit all of our blogs and leave comments on our dishes.

During the Food and Wine festival each fall, the number of snack offerings around the World Showcase is dizzying. One of our all time favorites is the Apple Strudel from Germany served with Karamel Sauce and Vanilla Sauce.

My MIL always made the best strudel and she encouraged me to try making it myself. Her recipe included making the dough from scratch, which was way beyond my abilities. Well, very sadly my MIL passed away a year ago. In her memory and my husband's prodding, I decided to give Apple Strudel a try. It also helped that I found a fabulous recipe in The Cooking With Mickey Volume II from Caffe Villa Verde in the Disneyland Hotel using filo dough.

Apple Strudel with Filo Dough

Yield: 1 strudel
Preheat oven to 400º

Ingredients:

1 pound apples, thinly sliced
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
5 sheets filo dough
1/2 cup butter, melted
Whipped cream or custard sauce
*optional ingredients:
1/4 cup raisins or cranberries
1/2 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice

Peel and core fresh apples. Cut each into wedges, then into thin slices.

Combine cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle with two thirds of the cinnamon and sugar mixture and mix lightly. Mix in Apple Pie Spice and cranberries or raisins. Set aside.

On a clean kitchen towel, put a single layer of filo dough. Brush with melted butter.
Place another sheet of dough on top and repeat, until all five have been layered with butter.
Keep filo dough under a moist kitchen towel after the package is opened and while working.
Place apple mixture on upper third of filo dough layers.
Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture and roll dough, using the kitchen towel to lift the dough as tightly as possible around the apples.

Place rolled dough, seam side down on a buttered baking sheet and brush with remaining butter. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar on the top of the roll.

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve hot with whipped cream or custard sauce.

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Kitchen Notes: Using cranberries was too tart. Raisins would have been better. A baking mat or parchment paper was essential, as cleaning up the caramelized sugar would have been awful if not impossible. This recipe made two strudels. If the filo leaves were wider it might make one strudel but may have been more difficult to roll. I used my Mickey kitchen towel with a waffle texture. Next time I'll use a pastry cloth to roll the dough. It would absorb less and might give me a tighter, better-looking roll.

The strudel was a huge hit in my house and I'm so glad I finally tried it. I even made another one after this as a special birthday request. DS gave me the ultimate compliment when he said,

It tasted like it was fresh from Grandma's kitchen.

Now it's time to continue virtually eating your way around ºoº World Showcase. Bon Appetit!

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3.	A Disney Mom's Thoughts ~ Italy	4.	Pursuing the Magic ~ Brazil
5.	Disney Babies Blog ~ Canada	6.	Mouse Fan Diane ~ Hawaii
7.	DIStherapy ~ France	8.	Focused on the Magic ~ Germany
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