During any Epcot festival, food is an important part of the celebration. During Epcot Festival of the Holidays, some of the best bites are sweet treats.
For many guests, Epcot is the Disney World food and beverage destination. From sampling the bites around the World Showcase to stopping at special kitchens, the delicious bites and beverages fill every corner. During Epcot Festival of the Holidays, the best bites will have you dreaming of a sweet holiday.
The annual Epcot Festival of the Holidays runs through December 30. While everyone knows about the Candlelight Processional and the holiday decorations, the holiday kitchens are the brig draw for the food lovers. This year’s festival adds eight new holiday kitchens to the festival.
New holiday kitchens include Yukon holiday kitchen, Tarabaki Holiday Kitchen, Tuscany Holiday Kitchen, Shanghai Holiday Kitchen and Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen. Each holiday kitchen features a couple of authentic holiday foods from each region. All of the holiday foods are quite approachable for even the food festival newbie.
This year’s holiday foods have several savory and sweet options. Of course, beverage pairings are also available. While all the holiday foods are quite tempting, stopping at each holiday kitchen on a single visit is quite a feat.
If you’re only visiting Epcot Festival of the Holidays once this season, these three holiday foods are FoodSided’s recommended must eats.
Epcot Festival of the Holidays best cultural holiday foods, photo by Cristine Struble
Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble at Yukon Kitchen paired with Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky
This dessert is decadent without being too sweet. The spice from the gingerbread sponge is balanced by the maple mousse. After eating this maple mousse, you understand why maple is such a great holiday flavor. The cranberry sauce adds a bright, tart note to the dessert. Topped with crunchy pecan crumble, the dessert has the added texture to make a composed bite.
For a delightful beverage pairing, try the Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whiskey. While a non-alcoholic version is available, the depth of the whiskey plays well with the maple flavors. With Florida usually being warm over the holidays, the frozen coffee is quite refreshing.
Epcot Festival of the Holidays best cultural holiday foods, photo by Cristine Struble
Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, German Artisan Cheese Plate: German ButterKase with Ham, Mushroom Brie with Pretzel Crostini and Tillamook Cheddar with Cider Flight
A cheese plate can be the perfect small bite for lunch. This cheese trio offers a depth of flavors that could make you want another cheese plate. Each of the cheeses have a different texture and flavor profile. The best of the three cheeses is the German ButterKase with ham.
To wash down the cheese trio, try the cider flight. While one drink is actually a beer, not a cider, the beverages pair well with the cheeses. The Possmann Pure Hard Black Currant Apple Cider is the most enjoyable cider. With a touch of tartness yet sweet from the black currant, the cider balances the robust cheeses.
Epcot Festival of the Holidays best cultural holiday foods, photo by Cristine Struble
The Cookie Nook Holiday Kitchen, Warm Apple Fritter with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce with Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, Titusville, Florida
Another holiday kitchen, the Cookie Nook is a sugary dream. While FoodSided’s choice isn’t a cookie, the warm apple fritter shouldn’t be overlooked. Although we would have preferred to have a knife to cut through the whole apple slice in the fritter, the flaky pastry and cinnamon ice cream are dream worthy.
To cut through the sweetness, drink the Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde. No one will crave a traditional coffee with their dessert after drinking this beer. The light colored beer is full bodied without being too heavy.
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Have you been to Epcot Festival of the Holidays? What were your favorite holiday foods? Share your thoughts below or tag us with #FoodSided on social media.