Location: Ariel’s – Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Walt Disney World

Source: Cooking with Mickey – Gourmet Cookbook Volume II” by the Disney Chefs.

Hi Beautiful Bakers!

The Ariel character meets and greets in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is one of the best. Located in Fantasyland, she has her own permanent home. When you walk in you really feel like you are part of her world.

A lot of people don’t know that Disney’s Beach Club Resort used to have a restaurant called “Ariel’s”. It was located just past Martha’s Vineyard’s current location. While it’s currently a cool event space, it used to be a top-of-the-line seafood restaurant.

Even though I love the idea of a restaurant named after one of my favorite characters, I do think it’s messed up that it was a seafood restaurant. Of course, Disney does have fish swimming around you while you eat in Epcot, so I guess it’s not an issue to them when it comes to meals. Maybe a gift shop of knick-knacks might have been a better idea. It would be neat.

Also, I thought it was interesting that Ariel and her friends didn’t meet guests. How could that have not been a character meal? It would have been the perfect place for one.

If you were lucky enough to eat there then you would have tried their delicious French bread and rolls. I found the recipe in the official Disney Cookbook” Cooking with Mickey Gourmet Cookbook Volume II”. You’ll see me use that recipe a lot on here because it’s a great one.

This bread is so easy to make and, as far as bread goes, doesn’t take a ton of time to make. Fresh bread is awesome to make at home but sometimes it seems to take so long to make because some have to rest multiple time. This one is great for sandwiches, for dinner or with any meal really.

This recipe will make four loaves but you can use it to make baguettes or petit pan rolls as well. That’s why it’s so fantastic and good for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water, warm

• 1-ounce active dry yeast

• 8 1/2 cups flour

• 1-ounce salt

• 1 1/2 ounces honey

Five simple ingredients that most people would already have in their cupboard. The only thing people might not have is the dry active yeast. The good thing is once you buy a package or bottle, it will last you a long time. A little goes a long time. It’s well worth investing in a good jar.

Instructions:

1. Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, add the water and yeast. You want to allow the yeast to soften. Once softened, stir in the honey.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Once it’s sifted, add to yeast mixture mix on low speed for one minute, then turn the mixer up to medium. Mix for two minutes.

3. Remove the bowl when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. That probably only took one minute. Cover the bowl with a cloth. The dough will double in size. It takes at least one hour but I like to leave it even longer.

4. On a clean floured surface, knead the dough lightly. Form your dough into the shape you want. I made 4 loaf pans. So I greased and floured the pans, split the dough evenly between the four, and used my fingers to form the loaves.

5. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, and once preheated, turn the oven off.

6. Using a serrated knife, score the top of the loaves about 1/8 inch deep. Place in the oven and allow to double in size. You will be amazed how much it will grow.

7. Remove from the oven, and preheat it to 400F degrees.

8. Bake until golden brown. It should only take about 20 to 25 minutes.

This will easily become your go-to home bread.

Happy Baking Friends!