So we all know I typically prefer savory to sweet – but that doesn’t mean I can’t get behind a good dessert – and there are plenty of good desserts at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival this year.
In fact, there are a half dozen that you absolutely cannot miss if you make your way there this season. And here they are!
6. Mexico – Coconut Rice Pudding served with Mango Coulis ($4.25)
While every other booth at Food & Wine is largely ignoring presentation, Mexico goes ahead and hits it out of the park with this beautiful, flower and hidden Mickey decorated bit of heaven. The coconut and mango swirl into this mild, creamy rice pudding to make for a dessert that’s as delicious as it is pretty. The perfect ending after you finish your tostada and quesadilla.
5. Taste Track – Croissant Doughnut tossed in cinnamon sugar (kid friendly) ($6)
This is everything that a cronut should be and nothing more. Light and airy and served warm – it tastes like a good croissant doughnut should. My kids agreed wholeheartedly. I’m all about this thing.
4. Hawaii – Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts (vegetarian) ($4)
There are plenty of cheesecakes at Food & Wine but I’ll argue all day that this is the one to get. The cheesecake is the creamy stuff and the passion fruit topping/filling is wonderful. And the toasted macadamia nuts add just the perfect bit of crunchy layered flavor. Absolutely under no circumstances miss this dessert.
3. Hops & Barley at the American Adventure – Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing (vegetarian, kid friendly) ($4)
Holy delicious. It’s like carrot cake and warm cinnamon rolls got together and had this warm icing drenched muffin baby. Almost too good to be street legal.
2. The Chocolate Studio – Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whisky Caramel (gluten free) ($5)
YOU GUYS. This thing tastes like fancy Fudgie the Whale. I did not expect to like this much at all but it is so much milder and more complex than I expected going in. I’m honestly shocked that it was only $5. Please, please do not miss it.
1. Flavors from Fire – Chocolate Picante: Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, and Mango ($3.75)
I adore this dessert!! The cayenne packs more punch than anything else at the Flavors from Fire booth (or perhaps the entire Food and Wine Festival) and the paprika adds an awesome layer of complexity. The chocolate itself is dark and not overwhelmingly sweet and a tiny pool of sweet heat sits on top and soaks into the dessert as you eat it. The little balls on the bottom add awesome texture. And the mango on the side was ripe and fresh and worked wonders for cutting the heat with sweetness. This dessert isn’t just good – it’s smart and creative. And at $3.75 it’s an insane value. Like – to the point that I had to double check that price before posting this. Absolutely do not miss it.
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