Jack Jack Cookie Recipe

#BakingThroughIsolation #Episode5

Jack Jack Num Num Cookies

Adapted from the Recipe by Marylou Jaso

Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter

1 ¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar 

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

2 ¼ cup all purpose flour

1 cup chocolate chips or chunks

12-15 cupcake wrappers

Directions:

1. Brown butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Butter will appear toasty brown and give off a nutty aroma. Once browned, put in a bowl and refrigerate until the butter solidifies. This takes quite a while so relax or prepare/measure your other ingredients.
2. Once butter begins to solidify, cream butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.
3. Once the mixture is light and fluffy, add eggs and vanilla. Mix.
4. Add flour and baking soda to the batter mixture. I did half the flour at a time to make it easier to incorporate. Mix.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir them in. This is a slightly dry cookie batter. Don’t be alarmed if it’s more crumbly than expected. It will form dough balls fine.
6. Use a wide cup to flatter your cupcake liners a little bit to make them wider and less deep. You will need 12-15 depending. Place the liners on a baking sheet.
7. Roll large dough balls and place one in each liner. Do not flatten.
8. Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Alternatively, I froze mine for about 15-20 minutes and still got good results.
9. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 7-11 minutes. Cookies should be brown on edges but soft in the middle.
10. Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve warm.
    
    
    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

    

    
    

Ohana Pineapple Coconut Bread Recipe

#BakingThroughIsolation #Episode4

Ohana Pineapple Coconut Bread

Yield = 1 9x13” cake pan

Ingredients:

1 packet of instant yeast

1 ¾ cup water 

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp shortening

4 ½ cup all purpose flour

½ tsp salt

⅓ cup sugar

½ cup store bought vanilla icing 

Coconut Mixture

1 cup crushed pineapple

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

½ cup sugar

2 tbsp cornstarch

Directions:

1. Pineapple/Coconut Filling:
1. Combine pineapple and coconut in bowl. Drain liquid from crushed pineapple.
2. Combine sugar and cornstarch in separate bowl and mix.
3. Add sugar mixture to the pineapple and coconut. Mix well.
4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
   
   
2. Bread:
1. Add water, yeast, sugar, salt, and 2 cups flour. Use paddle attachment on mixer if using a mixer. Combine until well incorporated. Add egg and the remainder of the flour. Use mixer with dough hook to form dough (about 4 minutes)
2. If not using a mixer, use your hands to incorporate flour and create a dough ball. Prepare a clean surface with all purpose flour. Knead dough for 4-6 minutes until your dough becomes smooth and all flour is well incorporated. Create a dough ball.
3. In used mixing bowl, add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Roll your dough ball in the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place (or an oven on proof setting). 
4. Let rise for 1-2 hours (mine took 1.5 hours to rise) or until it doubles in size. Take a nap.
5. Prepare a 9x13” cake pan with parchment paper.
6. On a floured surface, roll out dough until about 1 inch thick.
7. Strain pineapple coconut mixture to remove excess liquid. Spread ¾ of mixture on the rolled out dough.
8. Fold dough on top of itself and place into the cake pan, carefully spreading dough to the edges of pan.
9. Score dough gently with a knife (try not to cut into the filling layer),
10. Let dough rise in oven on proof setting until it rises halfway up the pan.
11. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes, then remove from oven and brush remaining pineapple coconut mixture over top. Continue baking for 20 more minutes or until golden brown.
12. Let bread cool.
13. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave vanilla icing for 15 seconds and stir. Drizzle on top of bread loaves.
    
    

Chewbacca Oatmeal Cream Pies Recipe

#BakingThroughIsolation #Episode3

Chewbacca Oatmeal Cream Pies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups AP flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

3 cups quick cooking oats

½ cup raisins (optional)

½ cup white chocolate morsels

½ cup peanut butter morsels

½ cup store bought chocolate icing

Cream Pie Filling Ingredients:

¾ cup unsalted, room temperature butter

3 cups confectioners sugar

3 tbsp heavy whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla

¾ cup marshmallow fluff

Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Cream together butter, white sugar and brown sugar in a medium bowl.
2. Mix in eggs one at a time and then stir in vanilla.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture.
4. Mix in oats.
5. Cover and chill dough for one hour.
6. Make Cream Pie Filling. Combine butter, confectioners sugar, cream and vanilla. Whisk until your frosting creates a peak on your whisk. Combine with marshmallow fluff until smooth. Refrigerate. 
7. Go watch a few episodes of Clone Wars.
8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
9. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
10. Roll dough into large walnut sized balls and place 4 inches apart. Slightly flatten dough balls using the back of a fork.
11. Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.
12. Allow to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Microwave icing for 10 seconds and stir. 
14. Once cooled, pipe a stripe of chocolate icing on half the cookies. Alternate placing peanut butter and white chocolate morsels onto the chocolate icing stripe. Let sit till icing hardens.
15. Using a spoon, place a large spoonful of cream pie filling between two cookies (use the undecorated ones for bottoms). Serve!
    
    

Mickey Mouse Pretzel Recipe

#BakingThroughIsolation #Episode2

Mickey Pretzels

Ingredients:

4 tsp dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 ¼ cup warm water

5 cups AP flour

½ cup sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

1 tbsp vegetable oil

½ cup baking soda

4 cups hot water

¼ cup coarse or kosher salt

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 ¼ cup warm water in a small bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the middle; add vegetable oil and yeast mix to middle. Mix and form dough. Add water if dry slowly until happy with consistency. Knead dough for 8 minutes until dough is smooth. Lightly oil bowl and return dough. Roll to coat. Cover with towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450*. Line baking sheets with parchment.
4. In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda into 4 cups of hot water.
5. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll into ropes. Cut each rope in half and use one half to make a large ring for mickeys head. Cut the other half of rope in half to make two ears. Pinch to connect (don’t stress too much, the baking will mold them together).
6. Once all dough has been shaped, dip in baking soda mixture. Shake off excess and place on baking sheets. Top with salt.
7. Bake in oven for 8minutes.
8. Top with melted butter.
   
   
   
   

Mickey Mouse Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

#BakingThroughIsolation #Episode1

Mickey Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 ⅓ cup AP Flour

¾ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup creamy peanut butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Add peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix by hand until all dry ingredients are incorporated. Chill dough for 10 minutes.
4. Line baking sheets with parchment.
5. Roll large dough balls for Mickey heads, small dough balls for Mickey ears.
6. Arrange on sheets but do not connect or press dough. The oven will do that.
7. Chill baking sheets in freezer for 3-5 minutes before baking. This prevents spreading.
8. Bake for 8-9 minute or until Mickey Ears begin to brown.
9. Let cool on sheet and move to cooling rack. Repeat.
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

Makahiki Character Dining at Aulani Resort and Spa

Aloha!

Greetings from the beautiful island of Oahu, the land of coconut syrup, Mickey waffles, and banana dolphins! For our first dive into TRUE Disney content, we’re going to take a closer look at the Makahiki Character Breakfast offered at Aulani. Lucky for me, my sister is conveniently stationed in Hawaii where she gets to both serve our beautiful country AND live only a short drive away from the Island Magic that is Aulani.

Yesterday, my sister, brother-in-law, mother, and my 2 year old niece visited Aulani for a nice day trip and some Disney grub (just enough to tide them over until their big Walt Disney World trip in September.) Lucky for me and all of you, they shared tons of photos and information about their experience.

This Beachside Breakfast is available between 7-11AM and is similarly priced to other character dining experiences found throughout various Disney Destinations. Adult prices are $45 and child prices are $24. Also like other Character Dining, tip is not included in the price unless stated on the restaurant webpage. Note that Character Dining is expensive and you are truly paying for the experience and convenient access to the characters. Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, let's really get into this.

First things first, as with any Character Breakfast in any Disney Destination, always prepare for the young ones to have adverse reactions to the characters. Some may love it, some may be overwhelmed like my cute little niece pictured above. Character interactions with children can often be unpredictable and it’s important to not let that ruin your experience. Some kids really enjoy the characters from afar and the pointing and giggling can sometimes be just enough magic. The characters at Makahiki can change but typically include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy all dressed in their best island flair and the best part: they come right to your table! No lines. No waiting. No hunger pains.

Speaking of hunger pains! Let’s talk about the food. While the character breakfasts available throughout Disney Destinations can all be pretty similar, Makahiki provides just enough unique options to stand out and make this a memorable experience. You can only remix bacon and eggs so much, but have you heard of Coconut Syrup? No? Me either, at least until today. Something about Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast with Coconut Syrup just sound so intriguing and different. Along with this unique twist on the classic sweet breakfast option, Makahiki also serves up the island favorite Loco Moco. The breakfast Loco Moco at Makahiki consists of white rice, a beef patty, a poached egg, and brown gravy.

Among the other interesting offerings, Makahiki serves up Taro and Guava sweet bread pastries, grilled island fish, and a selection of Japanese and Chinese inspired offerings. Amongst the Japanese style breakfast options, you will find Miso Soup, Steamed Rice, Nishime, and pickled vegetables. This truly sets Makahiki aside from your typical Character Breakfasts found in other parks.

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii or are interested in seeing what the Aulani DVC Villas look like, stay tuned for my next post. We will take a look at some of Aulani’s many amenities and what sets Aulani apart from other Disney Destinations.

Now what you’ve all been waiting for!!! Pictures! Pictured below will be the various offerings found on the Makahiki Buffet Table:

French Toast, Pancakes, Red Velvet and Traditional Mickey Wafflles

Bacon and Sausage

Various Breakfast Pastries

Seasoned Potatoes, Tots, and Grilled Fish

Eggs Benedict, Loco Moco, and Scrambled Eggs

Fresh Fruit

More Fresh Fruit Including Pineapple dipped in Tajin

Continental Breakfast Bread Offerings

Charcuterie

BANANA DOLPHINS

Alcoholic Beverages Available in Addition to the  Buffet

If you and your family would like to travel to Aulani, soak in some sun, and meet some characters, please feel free to drop me a message at:
ash@magicmousetravel.com