When Sean and I throw a party, we always make sure of two things: plenty to eat and plenty to drink. In fact, we usually overdo it because Sean wants to make just one more thing. We end up scrambling in the kitchen and throwing things together. I do my best to make things look pretty and prepared but it doesn’t always go over that way. I’ve learned that most people don’t remember that. They just remember that they had a good time.
But I do love a good theme party and for me, food and drink is always a big part of that. A few years ago, I threw a Thai-inspired party with all kinds of authentic food and I even served Singha beer, brewed in Bangkok, Thailand.
I’ve also hosted a few Mardi Gras parties where the food is deliciously cajun and always finished with a King cake at the end.
But I was a little stumped with food for a Disney party. So I begged, borrowed, and stole from lots of places, including Pinterest (yes, I actually found some things on Pinterest that work out!).
First, the main course:
I kept it very kid-friendly and served hot dogs (I picked up the Ballpark Lean Pork Franks because I could actually understand the ingredient list and I loved them). I bought some Disney-themed gummy snacks (thank you, Big Lots). And I had my husband pop some popcorn the old-fashioned way and throw it in some popcorn boxes. And set up the Disney-provided Craisins.
But the sweets were where I had fun.
Simplest Mickey Mouse Cupcakes
I researched the most elaborate cupcake recipes out there, including one that has a Hidden Mickey brownie inside the cupcake. I was all set to make them until I used my psychic abilities to see that the Hidden Mickey in my cupcakes would probably end up looking more like something that should be hidden in the toilet. So I called my good friend Duncan Hines, and together we made these cupcakes instead.
Here’s how you do it:
- Buy a boxed cake mix or two. I used yellow cake and devil’s food cake.
- Buy the whipped frosting in the can. I chose chocolate for the yellow cake and white for the devil’s food cake.
- Head to Michael’s and buy these polka-dotted cupcake wrappers. Use TWO for each cupcake otherwise the grease is too absorbed into the paper and the color turns almost transparent.
- Invite your friend over an hour before the party starts and have her frost all the cupcakes.
- Add two mini-Oreos to the top of every cupcake to look like Mickey ears and call it done.
TOLD YOU IT WAS SIMPLE.
But wait until you see my next trick.
Olaf Marshmallow Pops
This was a total Pinterest find. I found a pin called Disney’s FROZEN Olaf Marshmallow Pops and thought, THIS I can do.
Here’s how you do it:
- Go to Michael’s and get some lollipop sticks. (I’m starting to understand Michael’s a little bit better).
- While at Michael’s, get some food safe markers. Yes, these are an actual thing. You only need orange and black.
- Get some big marshmallows.
- Put three marshmallows on a stick.
- Draw 3 buttons, two eyes and a mouth with the black marker.
- Draw a carrot nose with the orange marker.
I will admit that my first pop had a more artistically drawn face. Bubbly eyes, a single-toothed mouth, and a perfectly curved carrot nose. And then I remembered they’d be in kids bellies in a matter of seconds so I did a few shortcuts.
I was a little worried that I didn’t have hot chocolate or anything for the marshmallows and guess what? Kids don’t care. They’ll eat marshmallows simply because they’re there.
Disney-Themed Adult Beverages
Oh, yes. Disney loves adults just as much as kids. I mean, they host the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot every year! So I wasn’t going to leave the grown-ups hanging. I found two Disney-inspired cocktails to serve.
The Enchanted Tiki was another Pinterest find. But, of course, I had to sample it the day before the party to make sure it was okay.
As you can tell from my nearly empty glass, it was definitely okay. In fact, this cocktail was a hit and when I threw a little paper umbrella on top of everyone’s drinks, we almost forgot it was winter. Almost.
- Pour rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and cream of coconut into a cocktail shaker.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Pour over ice.
- Add paper umbrella.
- Think warm thoughts.
I was worried that this maybe was a little too girly for some of the men at the party so I didn’t leave them out. I found a bartender on Facebook who spends his time creating Disney-themed cocktails. He posts beautiful pictures and lists the ingredients but never quite tells you how to make it and with what proportions. So I took his Bold & Brawny drink and came up with the recipe on my own.
- Grab a glass with ice.
- Add a shot of whiskey and a shot of amaretto.
- Top with black cherry soda.
- Maybe add a maraschino cherry if you’re feeling secure in your masculinity.
Just a few other snacks
Since I had themed rooms in my house, I decided to spread a few snacks around to. But I didn’t get too themed with that food unless you can figure out a connection between Tinkerbell and cheese curls, Rapunzel and pretzels, and Mike Wazowski and barbecue potato chips.
I’d say I did okay because we didn’t really have any leftovers. And we might have even ordered some pizza because the party lasted so long. MIGHT HAVE.
Next time, I’ll have to plan some Dole Whips because aren’t those a Disney staple? What Disney-related food would you love to see at a party?
2 comments
Patterned-cupcake-liner-mystery SOLVED!!! Use 2! Bwahahaha! Has anyone told you today that you are a genius?
Seriously, I actually bake quite a bit, made Mickey cupcakes for our party, too… and it just had me stumped why they bothered to put designs on cupcake liners, when they never show up? HA! Ok, I”m so excited to try double-lining now. So simple, and yet so brilliant.
Fun post – looks like you had a tasty party! 🙂
I knew there would be an issue with the cupcake liner as I had read someone having the same problem. But the solution came accidentally. I accidentally used 2 liners for some of the cupcakes. PROBLEM SOLVED.
I normally will do a bigger food spread but I think everyone was so busy with the activities and games that it was perfect!