5 Disney Parks Apple Recipes to Celebrate the Holidays

Here are 5 Disney Apple Recipes you can make at home this holiday season

As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to dive into the joy of holiday cooking, and what better ingredient to spotlight than apples? Disney Parks Blog recently delved into the Disney recipe vault, including a special never-before-shared recipe from Disneyland park, to bring you some of the most delightful apple recipes. From scrumptious desserts to a refreshing cocktail, these recipes will bring a touch of Disney magic to your kitchen!

Related: New Festive Holiday Treats at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs

Holiday Apple Tart from Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace at Disneyland Park

This exclusive recipe from Disneyland Park, never shared until now, is a real treat. The Holiday Apple Tart is a rich and delectable dessert that combines caramel cream sauce with apple filling and a crispy streusel topping. Perfect for any holiday table, this recipe is a must-try for Disney fans and dessert lovers alike.

Makes 12 Tarts

INGREDIENTS

STREUSEL

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

APPLE FILLING

• 4 large apples
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons water, divided
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

CARAMEL CREAM

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

APPLE TARTS

• 6 (3-inch) vanilla tart shells
• Holiday sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

FOR STREUSEL:

1. Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt in medium bowl. 
2. Add cubed butter and use a pastry blender or two knives to cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand. 
3. Set aside until ready to assemble tarts. 

FOR APPLE FILLING:

1. Peel, core, and chop apples into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, 3 tablespoons of water, and chopped apples. Cook, stirring occasionally for 4-6 minutes, until apple begin to soften. 
3. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Add to apple mixture and cook until liquid begins to boil. 
4. Boil for one minute, then remove from heat. Set aside to cool completely before assembling tarts. 

FOR CARAMEL CREAM:

1. Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, swirling pan, but not stirring, occasionally until sugar is melted and is a light amber color. 
2. Carefully whisk in butter, one cube at a time. Remove pan from heat and slowly stir in heavy cream, whisking constantly until fully incorporated. 
3. Add salt and set aside to cool to room temperature. 

FOR HOLIDAY APPLE TARTS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place tart shells on a baking sheet. 
2. Spoon 1 tablespoon caramel cream into each tart shell. Add 1/4 cup cooled apple filling to each tart. 
3. Top with streusel, covering the top of the apples. 
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until topping is golden brown. 
5. Top with holiday sprinkles before serving. 

Cook’s Notes: Tart shells are available at many specialty grocery stores. You can also use your favorite homemade pie dough. Cut dough into 3 1/2- inch circles and place in the bottom of muffin tins. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, fill, and bake as directed in recipe. 

Warm Apple Butter Cake from The Disney Recipe Vault

This at-home version of Warm Apple Butter Cake is a dream come true for those who crave a buttery, caramelized apple dessert. The recipe makes individual cakes, perfect for serving at holiday gatherings.

Makes 15 individual cakes

INGREDIENTS

CARAMELIZED APPLES

• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon sugar 

BOURBON CARAMEL GLAZE

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter 
• 1/2 tablespoon bourbon
• 1 cup heavy cream

APPLE BUTTER CAKE

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 8 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup butter, melted 
• 1 1/2 cups plus 1 teaspoon buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Dried apple slices, for garnish (optional)

Cranberries, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

FOR CARAMELIZED APPLES:

1. Cut apples into thin slices.
2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add apples and sugar.
3. Cook apples until golden and softened. Set aside to cool.

FOR BOURBON CARAMEL GLAZE:

1. Combine brown sugar and butter in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves.
2. Simmer over medium heat without stirring or touching pan until mixture is thick and dark amber in color, about 10 minutes.
3. Remove pan from heat. Carefully whisk in bourbon and heavy cream. Mixture will bubble vigorously and release very hot steam. 
4. Pour caramel into a bowl to cool; set aside. 

FOR CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour fifteen (3/4-cup) ramekins; set aside.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. 
3. Whisk together sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and melted butter in a separate large bowl until well combined.
4. Combine buttermilk and almond extract in a small bowl; set aside.
5. Fold a third of flour mixture into egg mixture. Stir in half of buttermilk mixture. Fold in another third of flour mixture, then add remaining buttermilk mixture. Fold in remaining flour mixture. 
6. Ladle 1/2 cup cake batter into each prepared ramekin. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of cakes comes out clean. 

TO SERVE:

1. While cakes are warm, carefully remove from ramekins onto a serving plate. 
2. Divide caramelized apples among tops of cakes. Spoon bourbon caramel glaze over top of apples and cake.
3. Serve with vanilla ice cream and garnish with dried apple slices and cranberries, if desired.

Apple Tart Tatin from Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort

This elegant Apple Tart Tatin is a standout dessert, perfect for holiday gatherings. The apples can be prepared in advance, making this recipe convenient for busy holiday schedules.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

APPLE TART

• 7 medium honeycrisp apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed

CHANTILLY

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 vanilla bean, cut in half and seeds scraped
• Pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

FOR APPLE TART:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and core apples, then cut each apple into 9 slices. 
2. Place sugar, water, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in large sauté pan and cook over medium low heat for 5 minutes until amber in color. Add room temperature butter and stir after half of the butter is melted. 
3. Add apples and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender, but still firm. Remove from heat. 
4. Line sheet pan with parchment paper and place six 4-inch tart pans on the sheet. Evenly divide apple mixture among the tart pans, making sure to add any syrup from the sauté pan to the tarts. 
5. Cut puff pastry to fit the tops of each tart pan and place on top of apples. Pierce each puff pastry 10 times with fork. 
6. Place sheet of parchment paper on top of the tarts and top with sheet pan to press apples and puff pastry. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove top baking sheet immediately.

FOR CHANTILLY:

1. Combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla bean, and salt in bowl of electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whip to soft peaks. 
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

TO SERVE:

Turn warm tarts onto a plate. Serve with Chantilly. 

Apple Butter from The Disney Recipe Vault

This apple butter recipe is a versatile addition to your holiday spread. Enjoy it on toast or as an accompaniment to fresh-baked rolls. It’s also a thoughtful homemade gift for the holidays.

Makes 1 Pint

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups Fuji apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ice wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 vanilla bean

DIRECTIONS

1. Place apples, juice, brown sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Cover and reduce heat to low. Continue simmering for 20 minutes, until apples are soft. Remove from heat. 
2. Stir in lemon juice, vinegar, and cloves. Split vanilla bean in half, lengthwise and scrape out seeds with a knife. Add seeds to pan. 
3. Puree with a stick blender until smooth. 
4. Return saucepan to stove and simmer over low heat, stirring every 5 minutes, for 30 minutes, until a deep amber color forms and apple butter reaches desired thickness. 
5. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any excess liquid. 
6. Store in refrigerator for up to 7 days. 

Related: Disney Chefs Share this Thanksgiving Recipe Used to Serve Those in Need

Szarlotka (Apple Pie) Cocktail from EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

End your holiday recipe roundup with a refreshing cocktail. This apple pie cocktail is simple to make and perfect for holiday parties.

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ounce Polish bison grass vodka
• 6 ounces apple cider
• Apple slice, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Pour Vodka and apple cider into a shaker; fill with ice and vigorously shake for 30 seconds. 
2. Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with apple slice.

We hope you enjoy making these delightful Disney Parks apple recipes at home. Share your culinary creations with #DisneyEats on social media, and don’t forget to follow @DisneyEats for more inspiration.

Happy cooking and happy holidays!

(Note: Recipes have been adapted from larger quantities used in the parks. Always exercise caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents, and supervise children in the kitchen.)

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