One of my favorite things to smell is the sweet aroma of freshly picked and sliced apples. Of course, that is particularly true in the fall. While it may not be considered an actual aroma therapy, it certainly makes me feel good. As that is true, a certain bath and home fragrance shop has earned a tidy sum of money from me throughout the year. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, the store’s apple scented products conjure thoughts of brisk autumn days spent enjoying juicy, tart apples covered in smooth, sweet caramel. Just the thought of that has me craving a tasty dessert made using the crisp, fragrant fruit, which reminds me of how many yummy options there are at Walt Disney World®, especially during the fall.
Candy and Caramel Apples
When it comes to candy and caramel apples, Walt Disney World confectioners have raised the bar far beyond ordinary. There, they have created a wide variety of apples that can be categorized in one of three ways: Gourmet, Character or Special Theme. The Gourmet versions are typically apples coated in candy or caramel and then covered with all sorts of treats such as nuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, marshmallows, drizzled chocolate, candy bar pieces, cookie pieces and more. Character apples are created using colored sugar, marshmallows, colored candy-coat and other edible treats in order to fashion the image of famous Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and others. Special Theme apples are typically found during specific times of the year or are exclusively available at Special Events in the parks. For example during the Halloween season, guests can purchase apples decorated to resemble skeletons, the Wicked Queen’s apple from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Jack ‘O Lanterns, and more.
Candy and caramel apples of all varieties can be purchased In numerous locations throughout the Walt Disney World property. Some of the most popular places include: Main Street Confectionery and Big Top Treats at Magic Kingdom Park; Karamell-Küche at Epcot; Sweet Spells at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Goofy’s Candy Co. at Downtown Disney Marketplace. For those guests who want to avoid a sticky face, they can ask a Cast Member to slice the apple, which will then be placed in a container for easy snacking.
To learn how to make a Minnie Mouse Candy Apple yourself, check out this video from the Disney Parks Blog.
Apple Pies and Cobblers
Apple pie and cobbler come in several varieties at WDW. The Apple-Caramel Pie found at Whispering Canyon Café located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is a pie heaping with apples, covered with crumb strudel topping, drizzled with caramel sauce and served with vanilla ice cream. Beaches & Cream Soda Shop located in Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers Apple-Cranberry Pie that features, as you might expect, Ocean Spray® Craisins® and apples all nestled in a sugared-crust, and served á la mode. Liberty Inn at Epcot serves up a cute little Individual Apple Pie, which is a single serving round pie reminiscent of an apple dumpling. The difference here is that the apple is not whole, it is chopped. The Apple Cobbler at Trail’s End Restaurant situated in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground is akin to downhome, warm apple crisp. The self-serve dish consists of cinnamon-spiced, glazed apples covered in a sweet oatmeal crumble, and can be topped with ice cream and caramel sauce, if you like.
Apple Pastries
Guests looking for a classic Apple Danish or Apple Turnover can satisfy their craving at Starring Rolls Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From the moment you walk in the door, the Danish and the turnover are readily recognizable, and are standouts because they are grander in size. From the first bite, the fluffy texture will draw you in and the deliciously sweet flavor will keep you wanting more. If guests are looking for apple pastries with an international flair, they need look no further than Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie at Epcot. On the Viennoiseries section of the Le Halles menu, they offer Chaussons aux Pommes, which is the French equivalent of an Apple Turnover. While it is comparable to traditional versions of the apple-filled puff pastry, the noteworthy difference is in the Le Halles chefs’ signature sheen on the light, flaky, buttery crust. It certainly sets their turnover apart. Listed on the Tartes part of the menu is the Pommes, or Tartes aux Pommes, which is French for apple tart. In this case, the Pommes consists of layers of rectangular puffed pastry dough topped with thinly sliced, caramelized apples and dusted lightly with confectioner’s sugar. Note: This version differs from the original apple tart once available in the French pavilion.
These are but a few on a lengthy list of delicious Apple Desserts available at Walt Disney World. How do you satisfy a craving for Apple Desserts while at WDW? Was your favorite on this list?
(Photo from the author’s personal collection.)
Kendall began visiting Walt Disney World in 1991 with her family and has continued to visit the resort with her husband. As a child, she and her family filled vacations with challenges such as “How many times can we ride Splash Mountain® during SpectroMagic and the fireworks?” (Answer: 7) Now, after marrying a converted Disney skeptic, she and her husband enjoy challenges such as “How many hours can we eat nonstop at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival?” (Answer: 4)
The post I Have a Craving for Apple Desserts appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.