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