Top Five Disney Desserts I Would Love on my Thanksgiving Table! ~ and their recipes

After the turkey has been carved and consumed and the sweet potatoes are no more, most people will excuse themselves from the Thanksgiving table for a long winter’s nap. Not my family, out roll the desserts.  Today while doing a little Disney dreaming I began to visualize all my favorite desserts adorning the Thanksgiving Table, a girl can certainly dream. Below I have compiled a list of five Disney desserts I would love to see on my Thanksgiving table!

‘Ohana

Bread Pudding

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Pineapple bread pudding topped with ice cream and covered in caramel sauce.

‘Ohana Bread Pudding Recipe

Tony’s Town Square

Tirmisu

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Espresso-soaked Lady Fingers, Whipped Mascarpone, and Dark Chocolate Shavings.

Just like Tony’s Tiramisu

Raglan Road

Ger’s Bread and Butter Pudding

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Bread and Butter Pudding with Butterscotch and Custard Sauces.

Ger’s Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe

Writer’s Stop

Carrot Cake Cookie

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Moist Carrot Cake discs sandwiching  cream cheese frosting.

Writer’s Stop Carrot Cake Cookie Recipe

Liberty Tree Tavern

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

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Not really a cake per-say, it’s a “crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside toffee chocolate chip cookie-ish sort of thing.”- Disneyfoodblog.com

Liberty Tree Tavern’s Ooey Gooey  Toffee Cake Recipe

There it is folks, the five desserts I would love to find on my Thanksgiving table today.  How about you? How many of these have you tried and would love to have a serving of today?!

 

 

My Search for the Ultimate Cup of Coffee ~ in Walt Disney World

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As I sit here drinking my third cup of coffee courtesy my Keurig, I wonder how I will survive without this prerequisite to my morning on my next trip to the Vacation Kingdom. How will I start my day with a smile? Certainly Mickey is a major incentive to wake up and head out the door in optimism – but that perfect cup of coffee just helps the whole process along, creating a much smoother departure for the day. I have fantasized about packing my Keurig; I have a single cup model, maybe it would fit in my carry-on bag? Reality strikes and I am back to contemplating how I will satisfy my preconditioned need for a superb cup of liquid sunshine.

Coffee packed

I wasn’t always such a coffee critic. My local Stewarts (upstate NY’s coffee, ice cream and convenient store), was my go to place for my morning ‘Cup of Joe’ while on my way to work. I believe it was the birth of my daughter that caused a necessity for a strong and sensational cup of black coffee and I have been on the search for the ultimate cup ever since.  I think I have been pretty darn close since my beloved Keurig has come into my life, but I feel I have yet to find THE cup to end ALL cups.

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Back to Walt Disney World and where to find my required liquefied liveliness ~

I have done some research on finding the best coffee within Walt Disney World Resort and have found several locations, some of which I have experienced, but many I have not! Let’s start out with the resorts and work our way into the parks.

While stumbling into the resort’s food court first thing in the morning to filler-up, once upon a time, Nescafe’ would have been found. I am not sure about you but this was the only part of the morning I would dread at Disney. I couldn’t comprehend what I was actually drinking- was it tea, maybe hot chocolate? One thing for sure, I knew it was NOT coffee! I later found out this was instant coffee……. well that explained it!

Coffee nescafe

I am so happy to report back in February of last year (2013) Nestcafe’ was replaced by Jeoffrey’s. Jeoffrey’s specialty coffee was already being served at several kiosks through out the parks as well as some fine dining locations, then it became the standard coffee for all Disney owned and operated locations. In my eyes and according to my taste buds, this was a huge improvement; I could at least identify what I was drinking 🙂

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I have heard far and near that if I wanted THE BEST cup of coffee I was to find it at the Polynesian Resort in the form of Kona coffee. This Hawaiian blend is rich, not too bold and is run through a French Press– what’s not to like? But for me it is still lacking a bit in flavor. That being said I would order a cup right now in a hot minute if I could! This Hawaiian delight can be found in several areas within the Polynesian Resort. Kona Cafe (French Press Pot), Ohana (French Press Pot) and for the To Go-ers, Kona Island.

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Next stop on this search is Animal Kingdom Lodge. I have read that I can find an amazing cup of African bean coffee called Kenya AA at Boma, an African inspired buffet within this resort. This coffee is said to be “full bodied and full of flavor with heavy acidity displaying a gentle floral aroma as well as berry and citrus notes”. At Boma this is served in a French Press as it is in the Polynesian Resort table service restaurants. I will make a special trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge on my next visit  just to experience this!

Kenya AA coffee

Onto the Grand Floridian where the cutest cup of coffee can be found at the Grand Floridian Cafe. This restaurant has become one of Nicole’s favorite breakfast spots and is also where she loves to order her latte’. This is no ordinary latte’…… see for yourself!

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According to Nicole this latte’ receives high marks, the Mickey head may have something to do with it 🙂

We are heading out to the parks so put your Mouse Ears on! Destination, Magic Kingdom.

The Grand Opening of Starbucks in June of 2013 brought another dimension of coffee drinking to the Magic Kingdom and later on to Epcot and in the near future to the remaining two parks.

starbucks coffee

Out here in the “real world” Starbucks is not my first choice of coffee but I do enjoy one in a low fat latte’ form. Just stepping into a Starbucks intimidates me. These coffee drinkers are very serious about their caffeinated purchases which keeps me from scanning the menu for a new and exciting coffee concoction. I think I will stick with my low fat latte – quick, easy and safe!

Traveling over to Hollywood Studios

Nicole’s favorite coffee spot is a little nook called Writer’s Place. It’s a cozy little coffee shop that is rarely busy. It serves Barista-style coffee and delicious bakery items; I am told the carrot cake cookie is a must! Specialty coffee is not the only favorable item in this shop, there is a selection of books to browse or maybe find a new favorite coffee mug to take home.

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coffee Carrot-Cake-Cookie-side-view

Next stop will be in Epcot, World Showcase. Have you heard of ‘Drinking Around the World’ (World Showcase)? This can apply to coffee drinkers as well! Depending on the time of day ordering a Coffee Margarita from La Cava in Mexico may be somewhat of an interest, but for now lets stay on the hot coffee track.

I have read Via Napoli serves up an Italiano coffee that will turn steps into sprints and make mouse ears stand up straight and tall – this cup may be for experienced coffee drinkers only!

italy expresso

Let’s dip into Tangierine Café located in the Morocco Pavilion.  Here I read about the Kasbah Coffee – strong and bitter but the hazelnut liquor adds just a touch of sweetness. This sounds like a delicious way to end the night while watching illuminations and maybe gives that little extra zip to find the car at the end of the night.

kasbah coffee

Time to explore Africa and Asia while searching out the best cup of coffee in the jungles of Animal Kingdom! These travels lead right to Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery. I am not sure if the best cup of coffee can be found here, but they serve espresso, even double espresso and that spells out CAFFEINE! Also offered on their menu is ice coffee – I have read it has a white chocolate flavor to it which sounds interestingly delicious. Animal Kingdom and ice coffee go together like peas and carrots – it just seems like this park is extra hot- Africa hot!

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Our final stop is Downtown Disney. What goes well with mega shopping? A great cup of coffee, there is a need for super charged energy to conquer all those amazing shopping opportunities! The Ghirardelli shop is known for their ice cream, but I recently read they also kick out a great dark ice coffee with a dark chocolate flavor. A huge smile won’t only be from that awesome new Dooney and Bourke just purchased- it will also be from the Ghirardelli Ice Coffee!

Coffee Giredeli

Thank you for accompanying me on my search for a great cup of coffee. I have definitely found some new locations I will be visiting upon my next trip to Walt Disney World. Tell us about your favorite coffee spot(s) or a place you plan on trying on your next visit.

mickey coffee

~Maureen

Which one is Most Magical for you?

From an African Savannah to Oceanside Boardwalks ~Caribbean Islands to Polynesian lands ~ Mayan Ruins to pristine opulence of the late 19th Century-

Just as Disney transports you from past lands to future dreams within their parks, they do the same within their resorts.  When visiting my home away from home I take time to visit my favorite Disney Resorts.  Whether it is to eat at a favorite restaurant or to shop in a particular gift shop or to just soak in all that Disneyfied Magic, each resort is guaranteed to transport you to your dream destination.

Of course certain resorts “speak” to me louder than others.  There are some that  immediately transfer me to a desired destination when walking into their lobby,  Disney knows how to do this oh so well.

This is why staying on property is an absolute must for me, it completes the magical experience I am seeking and the one Disney wholly provides.

Here are a few of my most favorite WDW Resorts ~ Let me know if any of them are on your list.  I would love to hear about your favorite Magical Disney Resort!

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Caribbean Beach Resort ( Top and Bottom)

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Polynesian Resort ( Top and Bottom)

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Wilderness Lodge Resort Totem Pole outside their gift shop~

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Wilderness Lodge Lobby~

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“Old Faithful” geyser at Wilderness Lodge~

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(top) Mural inside Contemporary Resort ~ (bottom) inside Contemporary Resort~

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Victoria Falls Lounge inside Animal Kingdom’s Jambo House~

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Bridge hovering over Animal Kingdom’s Jambo House lobby~