Disneyland Gingerbread Beignets

There are few flavors I love more than gingerbread and few places I love more than Disneyland. Add those two together with a hint of mystery from Club 33 and you have a winning holiday dessert worthy of Mickey!

Gingerbread Beignets

Makes 24 beignets

• 1 cup evaporated milk, heated until warm but not hot
• 1 envelope dry active yeast
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup shortening
• Vegetable oil for deep-frying

1. Combine evaporated milk and yeast in a large bowl; add egg, molasses, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vegetable oil. Stir until yeast dissolves and mixture is combined.
2. Sift together 4 cups flour, salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a medium bowl.
3. Add half of flour mixture to milk mixture. Mix well.
4. Add shortening, blending until combined, then add remaining flour mixture. Knead until mixture comes together, adding remaining 1/2 cup flour, a bit at a time, if needed. Form dough into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
5. On a floured board, roll dough to 1/3-inch thickness. Cut into 24 squares. Cover with a clean dish towel and set aside in a warm, draft-free area for 45 minutes.
6. Line a plate with paper towels; set aside.
7. Add vegetable oil to a deep-sided pot to a depth of 3 inches. Heat oil to 375°F. Drop in dough squares a few at a time, turning frequently with a long-handled slotted spoon. Cook until puffed and golden. Remove with slotted spoon and transfer to the plate lined with paper towels. Lightly tent with foil to keep warm while remaining beignets cook.
8. Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Dust hot beignets with cinnamon-sugar mixture; serve warm.

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Eggnog Crème Anglaise

• 2 cups eggnog
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1. Combine eggnog and milk in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until very hot but not simmering.
2. Meanwhile, combine sugar and egg yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until light, thick and fluffy.
3. Very slowly drizzle in hot eggnog mixture while beating at medium-low speed.
4. Transfer mixture back to saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and becomes creamy, 10 minutes. Do not simmer or the egg yolks will curdle.
5. Remove the sauce from the heat, whisk, and strain through a fine sieve. Stir in nutmeg and cinnamon, if using. Serve warm with Gingerbread Beignets.

Don’t forget Club 33′s delicious pumpkin beignet recipe as well! And don’t forget to send me a sample!

Red-Nosed Zebra Holiday Cocktail from Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel

A little sweet, a little sassy, and just in time for the holidays. Meet the Red-Nosed Zebra cocktail from Trader Sam’s bar at the Disneyland Hotel.

Red-Nosed Zebra

Makes 1 cocktail

1.5 ounces Bacardi 8 rum

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

1 ounce agave nectar

1 ounce strawberry purée

Crushed ice, 3 cranberries, 2 mint sprigs, for garnish

1. Add all ingredients in a Boston Shaker (except garnish), fill half full with ice, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
2. Strain into a margarita glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mound of crushed ice, cranberries, and mint sprigs to look like 2 green antlers, cranberries for eyes and nose.

I do believe it’s time for a trip to Disneyland! You too?

Gift of Magic Exclusive MagicBands Have Arrived

I may have squealed and done a little dance when I realized what was in that plain brown box from Experience Connection Center. I promptly ripped it open, sighed over the pretty gold box, and dove in. I'm all about the MagicBand!

They're even better than I imagined! The artwork reminds me of the Sketch Pattern Dooney & Burke purses which is still my favorite pattern.

From the gift box presentation to the bands themselves, this exclusive promotional MagicBand set it a winner. Well done, Disney!

Coming June 30, 2018: TOY STORY LAND

Your Toy Story pals can’t wait to have you join them in Toy Story Land where kids and grown-ups alike can experience all-new adventures. In the so-much-larger-than-life setting of Andy’s backyard, your family is invited to shrink down and become a toy alongside Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the Toy Story gang. Take part in the adventure together—among giant building blocks and board games that Andy’s rigged up to become a playground straight out of his vivid imagination. 

First off, Andy’s assembled his awesome coaster kit and Slinky Dog is poised to take you on a wild journey. The new Slinky Dog Dash whooshes throughout the land. Hold on for an exhilarating ride that twists Slinky Dog's coils around curves, hills, bridges and drops. It’s a crazy ride the whole family can enjoy together. 

Next, on Alien Swirling Saucers, the aliens have powered up their flying saucers to take you on a spin through space. Climb into a toy rocket and hang on as aliens lead the way on an interstellar romp set to an out-of-this-world beat. If you're really lucky, you just might get "chosen" by the claw. 

Then, head inside to Andy’s room where the toys have set up their carnival play set. On the fan-favorite Toy Story Mania!®, your Toy Story pals help you blast your way through a 4D arcade. Fire at targets with everything from baseballs to cream pies. But you better practice your aim, because high-score bragging rights are on the line for friends and families. 

Toys love snack time, too. The gang has taken a Woody’s Roundup lunch box and turned it into a Quick-Service window, in Woody’s Lunch Box, dishing out all sorts of tasty treats for “honorary toys.” 

Click here to plan your vacation to Disney World - Buzz and Woody and all of the toys are waiting

Aloha from Aulani

Aulani – what can I say - Awesome, WOW, Wonderful, Peaceful, Glorious, and the most perfect vacation spot!

Our family decided to visit Aulani and planned a once in a lifetime vacation to meet up with friends and family and enjoy paradise.  Needless to say, before we even left Hawaii to come home, we are planning a return trip.

Aulani is nothing short of AMAZING!  From the time you step out of your transportation to Aulani to the time you leave you are wowed at every turn.

When we arrived, we were met with some welcome surprises and ice-cold fruit water.  Just the way to start a tropical vacation!  We were greeted, and shown the way through the lobby to have our picture taken overlooking Waikolohe Valley.  Off to check-in while the Keike (children) had a special area for them to wait on the adults.

We had decided on an Ocean View room and we were not disappointed in any way.  We saw marvelous sun rises and sun sets.  It was a perfect view of paradise!

There were activities all day long for every member of your family from Ukulele lessons (which I participated in), Fish are Friends (an upgraded activity for the Keike which our son participated in), snorkeling in Rainbow Reef, tours of the art work, a Menehune Hunt (the little statues all over Aulani), spending time in the Waikolohe Stream (Lazy River) which all of us did at some point (some of more than others!), to just relaxing by the pool or on the beach.  Every member of our party found plenty to keep them busy or relaxed.

Oh, and I cannot leave out Laniwai, A Disney Spa.  This is a Spa like no other!  You are pampered from inside and out.  They have wonderful relaxation areas, an outside hydrotherapy garden that you can enjoy with any body treatment spa service, luscious goodies to try after your spa service and some other neat surprises that I won’t give away.

Food options were plentiful at Aulani.  We ate at Makahiki twice for the dinner buffet – delicious!  Many options from salads to seafood to awesome little desserts.  Missing comfort food from home – they have it here.  Do you love seafood and sushi – they had many options to chose from also!  There are also little quick service places in Waikolohe Valley for hot dogs, shaved ice, and coconut shrimp.  Ulu Café recently opened with hot options, bakery items and cold pre-made selections.  Don’t forget to try the pineapple – it was the best we have ever tasted.

If you are looking for a perfect paradise vacation spot – Aulani will not disappoint you and we at Mouse Tales Travel would be love to help you plan a visit.

Exclusive Club 33 Pumpkin Beignets

I’m addicted to anything pumpkin and these beignets from the secret Club 33 at Disneyland are right up my alley!

Pumpkin Beignets

• 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105º)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Combine flour, pumpkin puree, sugar, heavy cream, hot water, egg, shortening, and salt in a large bowl; stir in yeast mixture. Mix dough just until combined and smooth. Let dough rest in bowl, covered with a clean kitchen towel, 30 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a well-floured surface. Pat to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into 2-inch squares. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free area, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
4. 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.
5. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.

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Maple Glaze

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup powdered sugar

1. Combine butter and maple syrup in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until butter melts. Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Drizzle warm beignets with maple glaze and serve immediately.

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mmmm… delish!