How Disney Parks Can Inspire Your Inner Chef!

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, there have been two constants in my life: a longing for my next Walt Disney World vacation and deciding what I was going to eat next. 

So when Disney started sharing the recipes for a few of their more popular park treats, I was thrilled at the opportunity to bring some of that tasty Disney magic into my own kitchen. 

Unlock your inner chef with these recipes for some iconic sweet treats from Walt Disney Parks! 

“The Grey Stuff” from Walt Disney World’s Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 cups cold whole milk 
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix 
• 15 chocolate sandwich cookies 
• 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed 
• 3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix  
• 12 scalloped sugar cookies 
• Edible sugar pearls  

Directions: 

1. Pour milk into a large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm. 
2. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in the food processor and pulse until puréed.  
3. Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed. 
4. Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding.  Stir until fully mixed. 
5. Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour. 
6. Spoon grey stuff into a piping bag fitted with the desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Makes about 3 dozen medium, or 18 large cookies

Ingredients: 

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks butter), softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 330°F.
2. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl and set aside.
3. Combine butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar in a separate bowl and cream with an electric mixer until fluffy.
4. With the mixer running, add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla. Mix until combined, scraping sides of the bowl.
5. Slowly add flour mixture, scraping sides of the bowl. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough for medium cookies and 2 tablespoons for large onto an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake until lightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes for medium cookies, 12 to 14 minutes for large.

Churro Bites from multiple locations 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 8 tablespoons butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ cups vegetable or canola oil
• ½ cup sugar

Directions:

1. Combine water, butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in 1 ½-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring pot to rolling boil.
2. Reduce heat to low.
3. Add flour and stir vigorously until mix forms a ball. Remove from heat and let rest for 5-7 min.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, and stir until combined. Set aside.
5. Using caution, heat oil in medium skillet or 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat or until temperature reaches 350˚.
6. Spoon dough into piping bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe 1-inch strip of dough over saucepan, cut with knife, and drop into hot oil. Repeat until churro bites fill saucepan with room to fry. 
7. Fry churro bites until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon or mesh spider strainer.
8. Drain churro bites on paper towel.
9. Mix sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in medium bowl. Toss in churro bites until coated. Place on serving plate and serve with favorite dipping sauce.

Mickey Mouse-shaped Beignets from Scat Cat Club’s Cafe at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort
 Makes 10 large Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets or 2 dozen small beignets

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105°)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 egg
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Combine sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour and boiling water in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. With the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest for 30 minutes.
3. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut individual beignets with a Mickey Mouse-shaped cutter or cut into 2 1/2 to 3-inch squares. Cover with a towel and let dough rise until doubled in size in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. 
4. Using caution, heat 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Fry beignets until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, turning as soon as they brown on one side. Remove with tongs and place on paper towels to drain.  Dust warm beignets with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Tonga Toast from Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort 
Makes 4 servings 

Ingredients: 

Sugar-Cinnamon 

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon 

Batter 

• 4 large eggs 
• 1 1/3 cup whole milk 
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 

Tonga Toast 

• 1 quart canola oil, for frying 
• 1 loaf sourdough bread (uncut, 12 inches long) 
• 2 large bananas, peeled 

Directions: 

For Sugar-Cinnamon: 

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl (large enough to roll toast) with a fork until thoroughly blended.  Set aside. 

For Batter: 

Whip eggs in medium bowl (large enough to dip toast) until well beaten. Add milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.   

For Tonga Toast: 

1. Using caution, preheat oil to 350°F in a large pot or a deep fryer. (If using a large pot, use a candy thermometer to make certain the oil does not get any hotter or it will burn.) 
2. Slice the bread into four three-inch-thick slices. 
3. Cut each banana in half crosswise, then each piece lengthwise. 
4. Place a bread slice flat on the counter and tear out just enough from the middle (do not tear all the way through) to stuff half a banana into; repeat with each bread slice. 
5. Dip stuffed bread into batter, covering both sides, allowing excess batter to drip off bread and place carefully into hot oil. 
6. Cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. If needed, turn toast over after 2 minutes and cook for another 2 minutes on other side. Remove and drain excess oil. 
7. Roll toast in cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for each piece of toast. 

Note: Some of these recipes have been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder, while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby. 

Find these and other great recipes here