Cupcake ATM and much more at Sprinkles

By Guest Blogger Sarah Hawthorne

Wouldn't it be great if, with a push of a button, you could get a freshly-made gourmet cupcake any time of day or night? Ten years ago, you might have thought this type of machine was only available to The Jetsons, but today it's a reality at Sprinkles, the newest addition to the Disney Springs family. 

This is the nation's 20th cupcake ATM, offering all of Sprinkle's cupcake flavors made fresh to order, along with their dog-friendly cupcakes (not for human consumption). The cupcakes are $3.95 for mini-cupcakes (offered in four traditional flavors) and $4.95 for full-size.

Touted as the first cupcake bakery by the Food Network, Sprinkles is much more than a cupcake ATM. Open 10 a.m. to midnight, the beautiful shop has dozens of cupcake flavors, including Banana Peanut Butter, Cuban Coffee, Sprinkles, Dark Chocolate and Red Velvet. Additional offerings include sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan cupcakes; ice cream (Cap n Crunch was my fave); cookies and a cupcake decorating center. 

But what you really want to know is, "How do they taste?" Simply amazing. Personally, I'm not a huge cupcake fan. A mini cupcake is usually all I can handle, before I lunge for a glass of milk. What sets them apart from every other cupcake bake shop is balance and quality ingredients. First, their flavors taste exactly how they should. You aren't getting a typical overly-sweetened, artificially-flavored cupcake. Sprinkles gives you something more like a moist, natural, perfectly-sweetened muffin. 

Second, the icing complements the cupcake without overpowering the other flavors and again, it is creamy and flavorful - not overly-sweetened. At Sprinkles, I never bothered to check their menu for milk. I am a huge ice cream fan and I did find their ice cream to be on the sweeter side. So, if you do prefer a sweeter flavor, I recommend their sundae. It is a cupcake with the top cut off and ice cream put in the middle for between $5.50 and $9.95.

According to one of the super friendly employees, Grace, the cupcakes will last approximately two days and should not be refrigerated. Her favorite flavor is Red Velvet with Red cupcake with Red Velvet ice cream. Sprinkles will offer seasonal flavors such as Key Lime and Gingerbread.

One of the biggest selling points for sprinkles is their rewards program, which steps up the rewards for frequency. When you sign up in-store or online, you immediately receive a free cupcake and you receive points for every cupcake you buy. The more cupcakes you buy in a year, the more points you earn per purchase and even bigger rewards for the following year. You also get a free cupcake on your birthday!

Top 8 New Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine

Loaded Macaroni and Cheese

Every year, there are a ton of new events that are offered as part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. However, I don't want to pay for those pricey events with celebrity chefs. I just want to try the new food dishes at all the different countries around Epcot. 

This year, the Festival features 30 new dishes. Here are the ones I am most excited about trying:

1. Loaded Macaroni and Cheese with Nueske's Pepper Bacon at the new Farm Fresh Pavilion. Of course, bacon pairs perfectly with mac 'n cheese!

2. Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce in the New Zealand pavilion. I pretty much always love what New Zealand has to offer!

Grouper with Coconut Sauce

3. Pesado con Coco - Seared Grouper with Pigeon Peas, Rice and Coconut Sauce in the Dominican Republic pavilion. I love grouper...and coconut! This pavilion also has a new Yucca Souffle with Griddled Cheese!

4. Liquid Nitrogen Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel at the new Chew Lab pavilion. It will be my second dessert made with liquid nitrogen! Plus, it contains most of my favorite dessert flavors combined into one scrumptious mouthful.

5. Croissant Aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley in the France pavilion. I always get the escargot dish here. I am curious to see what a combination of escargot and croissant taste like - I am sure it is delicious!

6. Pork Spareribs with red wine, fennel and cheesy mascarpone grits in the new Sustainable Chew pavilion.

7. Layered Meat Pie with Mashed Yucca in Brazil. I have never tried this, but it sounds delicious.

8. Miso Udon with steamed shrimp, vegetables and noodles in a spicy broth in the Japan pavilion.

I also want to try the new liquid nitrogen cocktail - Smoking Hibiscus. I will visit the Food and Wine Festival soon, and let you know the best - and worst dishes - we ate. Watch for more details. 

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Related posts:

What's new at Epcot Food and Wine Fest

http://www.flavorfulexcursions.net/2014/09/whats-new-at-epcot-food-and-wine.html

The Best Dishes at Epcot Food and Wine Fest

http://www.flavorfulexcursions.net/2012/10/the-best-dishes-at-epcot-food-wine.html

The Best Dishes at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Beef Filet- Canada

Hmmm, what to try, what to try? There are always so many foods - and beverages - I like at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival that I have to be picky. Before I went this year, I asked friends and bloggers their favorites, and I downloaded the Food & Wine app (there are a few - the one I liked was FW Passport), which lists the foods and drinks at each marketplace.

First, we had to try the highly-recommended Beef Filet with Wine and Mushrooms at the Canada marketplace. The meat was cooked perfectly - medium - and was flavored so well. This was probably our favorite dish of the whole event. The Moosehead Beer in Canada is a light ale that was really smooth. 

Another favorite food of the evening was Crispy Shrimp Tacos from Mexico. The shrimp is light and flavorful and all the ingredients on the tortilla blend very well together. This station also features a Lime Strawberry Margarita, which fellow Food & Wine guests said was not that great. Instead, they recommended a "frozen vodka slushie" from the Smirnoff booth. Well, I tried all night, and could not find a Smirnoff booth. What a let down!

Trio of Desserts - Dessert & Champagne

We also loved the Escargots Persillade en Brioche at the France pavilion. It was actually prepared a bit better this year! My favorite dessert of the night was also found in France: the Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait, which tastes exactly like chocolate milk with a crisp carmelized sugar topping. Many times, restaurants mess up on Creme Brulee, so this was a pleasant surprise. 

Of course we HAD to try the Belgium Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream in Belgium. Who does not love waffles?! This waffle was cooked perfectly: crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. However, the Berry Compote was way too sweet and overpowering. Chefs need to leave much of this sauce off the waffle. 

We ended the night with White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls at the new Dessert & Champagne marketplace. It had a nice spice kick at the end, but I was disappointed with the texture of the mousse. It was dense instead of light and fluffy. 

Kalua Pork Slider - Hawaii

We were so full, we missed eating one of the best dishes at the Festival: the Lobster & Scallop Fisherman's Pie in Ireland. I would highly recommend this delectable meal. What food and drinks have you tried at this year's Epcot Food & Wine Festival? Let us know which ones to try next time we go! The event runs through November 12.

Discover Sweets & Liquor at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Photo by Jerry Blank

Guest post by Dennis Blank

Really. Virtually every type of dessert a person could want is available at 3D Disney's Dessert Discovery during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. On Fridays - October 12, October 26, and November 2 -  Epcot visitors can pay $55 extra for this unique event. 

A few of the scrumptious desserts offered include: chocolate fudge, cream-filled pastries, homemade cookies, and Driscoll's over-sized strawberries. There were also a few meat, cheese, and bread tables. The new trend we noticed was berry-infused waters, including fresh cranberries floating on top of ice-cold drinking water.

3D Disney's Dessert Discovery is sponsored by Pinnacle Vodka, so the liquor is flowing throughout the evening: not just vodka, but also unlimited supplies of various rums, wine, and cordials are offered. Disappointing was the weak, lukewarm coffee and lackluster hot chocolate. 

Photo by Jerry Blank

In addition to the flambe dessert stations, something that really added to the atmosphere of this event was a three-piece band playing old Elvis and Beatles tunes, and pretty much any "oldie" song relating to sweets. 

Although you may have to wait 45 minutes to get into this event, we recommend checking it out as part of the great Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Other sweet events during this year's Festival include: Sweet Sundays, The Discovery of Chocolate, and The Discovery of Grand Marnier.

Mickey's Halloween Party - Not so Scary!

Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party is the second best event at Magic Kingdom, only slightly edged out by Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This year, on select dates from September 11 through November 2, Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party is out in full force with special trick-or-treat stations, Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween parade, and Halloween-themed fireworks.

At the Halloween Party's Media Preview event the other night, I got to experience the party first-hand. I love how whole families wear costumes for this nighttime event every year. And of course, the trick-or-treating is fun for both adults and kids. The parade does not disappoint with floats featuring villains, candy for the kids, and watch for the neat "Undertaker" dancers. Because it is a special after-hours event, it is also quick to get on your favorite rides, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. 

When you go to the Magic Kingdom for this fun Halloween celebration, one good place to eat is Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. It has an extensive toppings bar for your hamburger or vegan burger. I ordered the Chicken Wrap, which was both flavorful and humongous - enough for two people!

Savor Wines & Desserts at new Epcot Cellar

Tutto Gusto, inside
Epcot's Italy Pavilion

As a local to Orlando, I am always excited when Disney World adds something different to its food and beverage offerings. This month, the new Tutto Gusto wine cellar opened in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot, and I love the feel of it. Different from other bustling restaurants in the Disney parks, the atmosphere at Tutto Gusto provides a place for visitors to relax and sip wine with good friends. The rustic wine cellar has a luxurious feel, with wall hangings, marble and chandeliers direct from Italy.

Tutto Gusto's menu of over 200 Italian wines includes the 2009 Merlot San Giuseppe and the 2010 Rose Regale Banfi. I am also impressed with the extensive menu of small plates and desserts that pair perfectly with wine. Selections include: Prosciutto di Parma, Sopressata (lightly smoked, sweet pork sausage), a wide selection of Italian cheeses, and Cozze (mussels, white wine and tomato). You can also order full-size portions of Tutto Gusto's pastas, including the Gambretti, which includes shrimp, chili and garlic. Although it may sound simple, you need to try the eatery's Panna Cotta al Limoncello, with amaretti cookies and raspberries. The chefs really got this one spot on.

Hotel Deals For Harry Potter & Star Wars Fans

Do you have relatives visiting Orlando this summer? Tell them about some of the area hotels that are offering great deals and access to theme parks. Tying into Disney World’s renovated Star Tours 3D attraction, The Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista is offering Star Wars fans a rate of $55.99 per night. Available through June 12, the package also features a buy one, get one free breakfast and a buy one, get one free dinner. The hotel is geared towards families, and features Ozzie’s Splash Zone for Kids at its pool area.

Another unique deal - the “Wizarding Wonders” package - comes from The Castle Hotel on International Drive. Guests receive accommodations, transportation to Universal Orlando Resort, magical potion beverages, and movie tickets for the final Harry Potter movie, which will be released July 15. Rates for the package, which is available through July 31, start at $144 a night.

What are your travel plans this summer? Will you be taking a staycation, or visiting somewhere exotic. Let me know which cities and attractions you would like to receive travel advice on.

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The Inside Scoop on Revamped Star Tours 3D

Disney and Lucasfilm do not disappoint in their launch of the renovated, high-tech StarTours 3D attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios. George Lucas himself and “Darth Vader” were on hand when Disney launched the new attraction on May 20 in Orlando.

Photo by Shad Bookout

One of the best features of the new the 3D ride is that it is a different experience every time you go on it. There are 54 different rotating Star Wars’ movie themes that the sim ride takes you through, including the scenes we experienced: The Death Star, Kashyyyk, and Hoth. Dropping down into the Death Star from above is a dizzying experience, as is jetting between the skyscrapers on Coruscant. The neatest part about the ride is the addition of Yoda and other characters’ interaction with riders – I will not ruin the fun surprise for you.

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