As for today, we're gonna talk about one of my favorite treats that can be found at WDW...the Magic Cookie Bar.
The Magic Cookie Bar can be found at the Wilderness Lodge (one of my FAVORITE resorts in all of WDW) at their quick service location/food court Roaring Forks. This treat can be found in the cases with all the other delectable treats they sell there.
But I know you must be saying to yourself...what on earth is so special about the Magic Cookie Bar? I mean, it's just a typical 7 Layer Bar, right?
On the outside, yes...this snack is something that many make at home. But there is something that Disney adds to these bars to make them special. For the longest time...I thought it was Magic. I mean seriously...they seemed no different than what you can make typically around the holidays...but these bars...Oh...they tasted SO much better! So, it had to be the Disney Magic right?
I even tried making them at home one time before, much to my chagrin. They tasted similar. But not quite the same. There was something missing but I just couldn't put my finger on what Disney was doing differently. (They are so Magically delicious...)
That is until I learned the secret ingredient on this last trip. While talking with a Cast Member, she told me that they include caramel in their bars. Something that all those other recipes never mentioned. Alas...I now had the secret weapon in my knowledge!
So, last week, I was on a mission...I was going to make Disney Magic Cookie Bars. (Keep in mind...this is still an unofficial recipe...since Disney won't share that one with us...but it does taste quite similar.)
The recipe calls for:
1 1/2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Cup butter melted
1 (14 Oz) can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Butterscotch Chips
1 1/3 Cups Flaked Coconut
1 Cup Chopped Nuts
Now as for me...I like my graham cracker crust to be a little thicker...so I always find that 1 1/2 Cups is never even close to enough. I always double that and the butter. Also, since we're adding ingredients...I'm going to add a bag of Caramel Chips. (They appear to be new and they don't need unwrapping.)
The Directions are:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter (Like I said above...I would double the amount needed, but that's just me.) Mix well and press the crumb mixture firmly on the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan.
- Melt the caramel chips in a microwavable safe bowl. Spread over the graham cracker crumb bottom.
- Next, layer the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, and nuts on top of the caramel. Then pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut. Store at room temperature covered.
So, I baked this concoction in this manner and guess what?! It tasted as similar to Disney's as I'm gonna get! (Although I may have to pick up one in October, just to make sure... :) )
Um...my pictures are so not award winning caliber here...but I wanted to give you just a taste (get it) of what the Magic Cookie Bar is all about...
I guess the magic touch really is caramel....and not actual Magic...but you know what? I'm glad I learned the secret behind the Magic (Cookie Bar). Because now, I can have a little bit of Disney whenever I want it.
What Disney foods have you tried to make before? Has it turned out tasting like Disney's version?
Until next time...Magical Snacking!!!
11 comments:
Those looks so yummy, Rikki! I think you should pass them out to all your blog readers. =)
I'm not a baker at all, but am wondering if you could just pour the carmel chips on the crust, top with the other ingredients, and let them melt while cooking? Or do you think it wouldn't have the right consistency?
We made the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake (from Liberty Tree Tavern) last year and it was sooooo yummy. I've never had the "real" think though so I can't really compare it. I can only imagine the one at LTT is even better.
Thanks for this info rikki! My family loves carmel! Perfect for the upcoming holidays.
My mom makes those every Christmas - they're her favorite. But I don't think her recipe has that magic caramel ingredient! I bet that makes it tastes amazing. :)
Thanks for sharing these! I've been to Wilderness Lodge before, but have never had this particular treat. I may have to give these a whirl during Thanksgiving or my Christmas baking.
As for the caramel - do you think that the caramel ice cream topping that comes in a jar would work about the same? That can be warmed up and is usually easier to spread. Not sure if you think the taste would be the same, or not?
I've only ever tried one other Disney recipe, and that's the Cheddar Beer soup from Le Cellier at Epcot. Didn't taste ~exactly~ like their soup, but it was close and SO GOOD. There's a video from the Le Cellier chef on YouTube showing how to make it :)
Ooohhh... We were just at POR last week and fell in love with these. Did you use sweetened or unsweetened coconut? And where did you find the caramel chips? Can't wait to try these!
Michelle: Hmm...I didn't think about just letting them melt in the oven...that might work actually. And something I might try for the next time.
Jessica: That caramel certainly seems like the "Magic" ingredient! Definitely try cooking them with it the next time!
Cozyflier: Definitely a great Christmas treat! For sure!
KentuckyCooking: I actually thought about trying the ice cream type caramel. I'm not sure if it would have the same consistency, but it is definitely something I plan on trying the next time too.
Kate: They have them at POR too?! Ooh!!! I used Sweetened coconut and I found the caramel chips in the baking aisle with things like chocolate chips. They are made by Kraft. They look brand new!
Okay, I'm going to try these, minus the coconut (so not a fan!), they sound so good!
As for making something from Disney, I've made the Monte Cristo sandwich from the Blue Bayou. It was good but it was much better at Blue Bayou simply because I didn't have to make it, and well, it's Disney, everything is way better at Disney!
I work at one of the resorts in Disney as a cook, and I can tell you that's not the recipe. Its not really even that close. It may taste SIMILAR but not at all how its prepared. But then again if you knew exactly how they were prepared they wouldn't be called MAGIC bars now would they? ;)
We just got back and I agree with the resort cook. The chips, nuts, coconut on the top aren't baked into the bar. They are petite chips that sit ONTOP of the bar. There is no baking those bad boys! I'm wondering if the the crust doesn't have graham...it's more of a flour, brown sugar and butter mixture???
I'm dying for this recipe, too!! I sorta think that the bar is a basic brownie with the extra 'magic bar' ingredients put on top. There's not really a crust on the bottom, it's more like a brownie. But thanks for posting your recipe and the pics look delicious! I'm going to try and make them today!! :-)
Well, my 41st birthday is coming up and I just told my daughter that I want a magic bar from Port Orleans for my birthday cake. Your recipe may not be the same, but it's gonna work for me. Magic bar with homemade ice cream, and the promise of a real magic bar in 300 or so days... magical.
Post a Comment