25 Iconic Disney Recipes You Can Make at Home
Tasting the Magic
In 2021, Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the party included access to some of the park's most delicious recipes: A cookbook full of Disney's tastiest eats was released that same year. But if you don't want buy the cookbook and can't make a trip to Disneyland or Disney World to indulge, here are 25 Disney recipes — yes, including the much-loved Dole Whip — all adapted for home kitchens.
Churro Bites
Not a Dole Whip fan? Sacrilege! But fear not: Disney has you covered with another one of its most popular treats: churro bites. Making these chewy tubes of cinnamon-sugar goodness requires only basic pantry baking staples, but you will need a piping bag with a large star tip if you want to achieve their signature shape.
Big Thunder Ribs
Attention, meat lovers: You can savor these classic ribs from Disneyland's now-closed Big Thunder Ranch at home. Make sure you have a full pantry to whip up the all-important rub, a blend of 10 spices including lemon pepper, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
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Woody's Lunchbox Totchos
If you need a bowl of comfort food, look no further than these totchos from Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios. They're tater tots smothered in chili, queso, corn chips, and sour cream. Just don't wear your best white shirt when you dig in.
Blue Bayou Hushpuppies
These crispy, savory bites of bliss are usually a seafood side, but if you ask us, they're good enough to be the main event. Fry these puppies up at home with corn oil or shortening instead of journeying to Disneyland's New Orleans Square.
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
No need to make a run for the northern border when you can warm up with this indulgent soup recipe from Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot's Canada pavilion. Among the crucial ingredients: bacon, white cheddar cheese, and butter. (Hey, we never said it was health food.)
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Grey Stuff
It might not sound terribly appetizing, but any Disney fan knows this “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired dessert is one of the most sought-after inside the parks. So what's in the “stuff”? Two kinds of pudding mix, sandwich cookies (think Oreos), and a generous amount of whipped cream.
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Turkey Pot Pie with Cheesy Biscuit Topping
A meal at Cinderella's Royal Table, inside Disney World's iconic Cinderella Castle, is a fairy-tale experience for even the most seasoned Mickey fan. Bring some of the magic into your own kitchen with this elevated comfort food, fit for any prince or princess in your own kingdom.
Dole Whip
For many Disney lovers, there's one thing and one thing only that can make that hour-plus wait for Big Thunder Mountain worth it: the Dole Whip, one of the nation's most iconic theme-park foods. Believe it or not, all you need to recreate it is three ingredients and a reliable blender, so hop to it and make staying home that much sweeter.
Toy Story Land Grilled Cheese
Leave it to Disney to elevate a humble grilled cheese sandwich into something a little, well, magical. Made at Woody's Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios' Toy Story Land, it features a cream-cheese spread, and a mix of garlic, mayo, and coarse salt on top of a blend of cheddar and provolone.
Cookie Fries
The Happiest Place on Earth delivers again, and this time, the recipe is vegan-friendly — yes, really — from Beaches & Cream at Disney's Beach Club Resort. Whether you're following a plant-based diet or want a crispy, crunchy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, how could anything named “cookie fries” be a bad idea?
Hawaiian Cheeseburger and Green Papaya Slaw
Yes, it may pale in comparison with a trip to the Aloha State, but this mouthwatering classic from Disneyland's Tangaroa Terrace may still give you vacation vibes. Teriyaki sauce, bacon, pineapple, and the sweet and spicy slaw will have you feeling the island breeze.
Kitchen Sink Sundae
How about a crazy-indulgent communal dessert to break up the long sludge of quarantine? This massive sundae from Disney's Beach Club Resort requires eight scoops of ice cream, two cupcakes, a brownie, a candy bar, several chocolate cookies, and a banana — and then there are at least a dozen separate toppings. Bring your Lactaid.
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Mickey Pretzels and Dip
While we're on the subject of Mickey-shaped food, here's an easy way to please a mouse-loving kiddo (or adult — no judgment): soft-baked Mickey pretzels. Bonus: All you'll need is four ingredients, plus some store-bought cheese sauce for dipping.
Mickey Beignets
Though they might not be quite as ubiquitous Mickey ice cream bars, Mickey beignets are still one of Disney's tastiest treats. Your at-home version won't come with the delectable dipping sauces, but a liberal dusting of powdered sugar should blunt any disappointment.
Palo Chocolate Souffle
Here's an elegant, decadent dessert you'll want to keep in reserve for your next at-home date night. A staple at Disney Cruise Line's adult-only Italian restaurant, Palo, it's one treat that you definitely won't want to share with the kids.
Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Chef Mickey's, a buffet at Disney World's Contemporary Resort, has long been serving this family-friendly side as part of its nightly feasts. It calls for only six ingredients, so this is a beginner-friendly way to bring some authentic Disney food into your kitchen.
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Biergarten Apple Strudel
It's always Oktoberfest if you've got a dish of this classic dessert from Epcot's Biergarten Restaurant. No lederhosen is required, but we do suggest a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Most of us already have a go-to recipe for this classic cookie, but we have an inkling that the pastry chefs at Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort also know what they're doing. There are no secret-ingredient surprises, either: Just all the staples you probably already have in your fridge and pantry.
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S.E.A. Shu Mai
If you can't get to your favorite dim sum joint, Disney's version of shu mai is sure to please. Served at Magic Kingdom's Jungle Skipper Canteen, these dumplings are filled with pork, shrimp, water chestnuts, and more. You'll need a sturdy food processor for this one, or a butcher to grind the meat for you.
Lobster Nachos
First, the bad news: This recipe for lobster nachos, made at the Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure Park, is pretty involved. Now the good news: They're nachos. With real lobster, homemade pico de gallo and tortilla chips, and chipotle crema.
Snow Leopard Salvation
Sometimes grownups need a little something to look forward to at Disney, too, and now you can make this cocktail from Animal Kingdom's Nomad Lounge at home. The mix of vodka, ginger beer, pear liqueur, lime juice, and mint sounds like the perfect way to unwind.
Tonga Toast
Need a “wow” recipe for a special brunch? Look no further than Tonga Toast, served since the early '70s at Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort. This decadent spin on French toast is made with banana-stuffed sourdough that's battered, deep fried, and served sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. No wonder it has staying power.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake
This four-ingredient milkshake from the retro '50s Prime Time Cafe in Disney World's Hollywood Studios is sure to please anyone who's young at heart. A dollop of peanut butter and jelly, milk, and vanilla ice cream are all you'll need for this treat.
Veggie Tater Casserole
This dish for vegetarians is no longer on the menu at Flo's V-8 Cafe in California Adventure, but you can still whip it up for a hearty meal in your own kitchen. Vegetarian “sausage” crumbles, squash, bell peppers, onion, and garlic give it a fall-friendly flavor ready for a harvest meal.
Walt's Chili and Beans
Eat like Walt Disney himself with this chili recipe, a variation of Disney's personal chili recipe that has long been served in Disneyland's Carnation Cafe. Serve up this “bowl of nostalgia” with a sleeve of classic saltine crackers.
This article was originally published on Cheapism