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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

It Is Nearly Time For Mufasa's Tale To Be Told

Mufasa: The Lion King
All images: Disney

The final trailer for Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King has arrived. The story of Mufasa's rise to power looks like a rather dark adventure. And this trailer introduces the new villain, Kiros.


Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Exploring the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, "Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Mufasa: The Lion King
arrives in theaters on December 20th.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Marvel's What If...? Is Coming To An End

Marvel's What If...? Season 3 Trailer
All images: Marvel

The first full trailer for Season 3 of Marvel's What If...? has arrived and it is jam packed with characters. From returning favorites like Captain Carter and Kahhori, to new faces like Agatha Harkness and Shang-Chi, there's something for everyone. And then there's the unexpected crossover where X-Men's Storm is now Thor. 


"Witness the season that ends it all..."

What If...? Season 3 Poster

The final season of What If...? arrives on DisneyPlus on December 22nd.
New episodes will debut each day for 8 days.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Cap Is Back, But It's A Whole New World Out There

Captain America: Brave New World
All images: Marvel

The first full trailer for Captain America: Brave New World has arrived and things are looking grim. Former General Thaddeus Ross hasn't been President for long when there's an assassination attempt on his life. It's up to Sam to figure out who's behind the threat.


Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:

Anthony Mackie returns as the high-flying hero Sam Wilson, who’s officially taken up the mantle of Captain America. After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Captain America: Brave New World Poster

Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14, 2025.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Madeleine L'Engle Quote

Madeleine L'Engle
Square Fish Books

Maybe you have to know the darkness
before you can appreciate the light.

- Madeleine L'Engle, "A Ring of Endless Light"

Saturday, November 9, 2024

A Peppermint Spaceship Earth?

Spaceship Earth in EPCOT

I love the light effects that Disney displays on Spaceship Earth these days. It's fun to see covered in twinkly stars, or see it turn into a giant peppermint ball. It definitely adds to the fun of EPCOT at night.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Holiday Treats at Disney Springs

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
All images: Disney

Disney Springs is really getting into the holiday spirit. There are so many delightful looking sweets and treats that it's hard to know where to begin.

  • Holiday Donuts: Six pack of Christmas donuts celebrating the season with a snowman, palm tree adorned in lights, poinsettias, colorful sprinkles, and peppermint décor
  • Christmas Present Petit Cake: Chocolate chiffon, milk chocolate mousse, and coconut-pecan filling 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 28) 
  • Christmas Snickerdoodle Cookie Croissant: Croissant dough, snickerdoodle cookie, and holiday sprinkle plaque 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
  • Peppermint Swirl Cheesecake: Peppermint cheesecake, dark chocolate mousse, chocolate cookie crust, and white chocolate-peppermint coating with crushed peppermint pieces 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
  • Mini Christmas Croquembouche: Chocolate Pâte à Choux, chocolate-hazelnut custard, and chocolate ganache 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31)
Amorette’s Patisserie
  • Yule Log: Caramel-milk chocolate mousse, spiced orange gelee, chocolate chiffon, and a chocolate décor 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
  • Mickey Gingerbread Cookie: Gingerbread cookie dipped in milk chocolate and garnished with sugar Christmas lights 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
  • White Mocha Crème Brûlée: White chocolate crème brûlée with espresso, white chocolate crispy pearls, and chocolate espresso beans 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4)  
  • Winter Macaron Sandwich: Macaron, almond cheesecake, and cranberry-cherry jam 🥧 (Nov 8 - Jan 4) 
  • Toy Solider Mickey Dome Cake: Chocolate chiffon, milk chocolate mousse, and coconut-pecan filling 🥧 (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
Enzo’s Hideaway (Nov 1 - Dec 31) 
  • Apple Dram: Buffalo Trace, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Enzo’s bitters, and dehydrated apple chip
  • Apple Spritz: Mionetto Prosecco, Angry Orchard, and Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup 
  • Holiday Haze: Absolut Vanilla, Frangelico, crème de cacao, coconut milk, and cinnamon 
  • Cocoa Blush: Skrewball, crème de cacao, Faretti Biscotti liqueur, and cherry juice 
Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC
(Dec 2 - Dec 31) 
  • Christmas Waffle: Vanilla cake bar half dipped in chocolate with a scoop of vanilla buttercream drizzled in chocolate with red and green sprinkles 🥕
  • Gingerbread Cupcake with vanilla buttercream, sprinkled cinnamon, and an edible gingerbread man topper 🥕
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
(Nov 7 - Dec 30) 
  • Air Tours Bacon and Waffles with breakfast sausage waffle, mini quiche, and candied bacon with bourbon-maple syrup 🥧
  • Holiday Mine Car Meatballs:  Maple-Bourbon Meatballs, Granny Smith Apple and cranberry chutney, sweet potato hay and thyme 🥧
  • O’ Ham ‘n’ Cheese Trees: Baked puff pastry, cheddar, smoked ham, herb pesto, Monterey Jack star, and infused honey 
  • Here We Come a-Croquetting: Turkey croquettes, cranberry jam, turkey gravy, sweet potato puree, and herb gremolata  
  • Naughty or Nice Deviled Eggs: Crispy ham, sweet honey-glazed (Nice) or spicy honey-glazed (Naughty)
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
  • Jock’s Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debreziner Sausage, puff pastry, and cranberry mustard 
  • Coquito with Cookies: Santa cutout sugar cookie, hot cocoa cookie, pistachio wreath cookie, and Coquito with Bacardí Rum 
  • Jock’s Fruitcake: Heering Cherry Liqueur, Cointreau Liqueur, white cranberry juice, and cupcake-flavored syrup topped with whipped cream and a holiday treat 
  • Lump of Coal: Absolut Vodka, Chambord Liqueur, Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur, hibiscus syrup, and lime juice with glitter and a black sugar rim (New) 
  • Tannenbaum: Malibu Coconut Rum, Midori Melon Liqueur, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and cream of coconut garnished with a red sugared rim, whipped cream, and holiday sugar piece 🥧
  • Hot Chocolate Flight 
  • Spiced Caramel: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum 
  • Peanut Butter: Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 
  • Peppermint-White Chocolate: Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur  
Marketplace Snacks (Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
  • Sven Reindeer Food Waffle Sundae: Vanilla and chocolate soft-serve swirl, white and dark chocolate-coated pretzels, M&M’S Milk Chocolate Minis, cinnamon cereal, marshmallow sauce, and a white chocolate coin 🥧
Morimoto Asia

Morimoto Asia
(Nov 1 - Dec 31) 
  • Pearadise Tea: Monin Pear Syrup, Monin Desert Pear Syrup, green tea, lime juice, and simple syrup 🧋
  • Bloom & Fall: Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey, banana oleo saccharum, parsley syrup, Bittermens Scarborough bitters, and lactic acid 
  • Midnight Ube Spritzer: Captain Morgan, Monin Ube Syrup, Dolin Génépy le Chamois Liqueur, shiso essence, yuzu, and Highball Hard Seltzer 
  • Tarutomēpuru “Tart Maple”: Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon, cinnamon syrup, Fee Cherry Bitters, Fee Black Walnut Bitters, and lemon juice 
  • Aki “Autumn Bliss”: Copper & Kings Apple Brandy, red wine, Lazzaroni Amaretto, pineapple juice, yuzu, filthy cherry syrup, and Bittermens Ginger Bitters 
Pizza Ponte & Paddlefish

Pizza Ponte
(Nov 1 - Dec 31) 
  • Orchard Chill: Absolut Vanilla, Pinnacle Salted Caramel Vodka, apple cider, and allspice dram 
Paddlefish (Dec 25 only) 
  • Santa’s “Good List” Boil: Key West Pink Shrimp, Cedar Key Little Necks, PEI Mussels, cornbread, red potatoes, and sweet corn 
Swirls on the Water (Nov 7 - Jan 7) 
  • Peppermint-Chocolate Swirl Cone: Peppermint and chocolate soft-serve swirl inside a red velvet cone garnished with peppermint bark and holiday sprinkles 🥧
  • Christmas Tree Sundae: Pistachio soft-serve in a waffle cone bowl with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate fudge, and candy Christmas lights 
  • Porcini Prime Rib: Porcini and herb rub, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, crispy Brussel sprouts, and pancetta 
  • Christmas Punch: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, DeKuyper Amaretto, cranberry juice, and apple juice topped with ginger ale and garnished with a lime and a cherry 
The Edison (Nov 1 - Dec 31)  
  • Cup o’ Cheer: Apple cider, cinnamon syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice 🧋
  • Fall for You: Angel’s Envy, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, spiced apple tincture, Fee Brothers Fee Foam, lemon juice, and a ghost leaf 
  • Peppermint Patty: Peppermint-infused vodka, Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, Tempus Crème de Cacao, and a half-crushed peppermint rim 
  • Cosmic Poinsettia: Infused Stoli Elit, Belle de Brillet Pear Brandy, St. George Spiced Pear, cinnamon syrup, and lime juice 
The Ganachery

The Ganachery
(Nov 8 - Dec 31) 
  • Eggnog Ganache Square: Eggnog ganache covered in dark chocolate 🥧
  • Mickey Ornament Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate shell filled with dark chocolate-covered peppermint marshmallows 🥧 
  • Hot Sipping Ganache Kit: Hot ganache chocolate blend 🥧
  • Gingerbread Ganache Square: Gingerbread spices and honey ganache covered in milk chocolate  
  • Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs 
  • Disney Holiday Ganache Box: Assorted ganache squares in holiday flavors 
The Ganachery
  • Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate  
  • Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery Hot Cocoa Mix and house-made marshmallows 
  • Gingerbread Tiramisu: Tiramisu cream with layers of gingerbread cake soaked in three different milks (Nov 18 - Jan 4) 
  • Reindeer Shake: Chocolate gelato, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles (Nov 18 - Jan 6) 
  • Elf Shake: Mint chocolate chip, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles (Nov 18 - Jan 5) 
  • Pomegranate Mimosa: Pomegranate sorbetto, prosecco, and orange juice (Nov 18 - Jan 4) 
  • Pomegranate Spritz: Pomegranate sorbetto, prosecco, and Sprite (Nov 18 - Jan 4)
🥧 - New
🥕 - Plant-based
🧋 - Non-alcoholic

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Holiday Sweets Are Arriving at Disney World

Minnie Gingerbread Bundt Cake & Festive Tart
All images: Disney

The most wonderful time of the year has begun to appear across Disney World. And you know what that means: a plethora of seasonal sweets and treats to delight us. Here are the tasty dishes you can find throughout the Disney Resorts.

Disney Resorts
All-Star Resorts
End Zone, Intermission, and World Premiere Food Courts 
  • Minnie Gingerbread Bundt Cake: Gingerbread bundt cake with cream cheese icing ❄️
  • Minnie Holiday Sundae: Soft-serve with red velvet cone, whipped cream, chocolate garnish, and sprinkles ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Animal Kingdom Lodge 
The Mara
  • Festive Tart: Vanilla tart shell with banana cake, caramel sauce, matcha crunch, chai mousse, and green magic shell topped with holiday lights and animal print Mickey 🥧 ❄️
Art of Animation
Landscape of Flavors
  • Deer Holly Day Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache and topped with a peanut butter-cream cheese buttercream ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Holiday Mickey Cupcake & Festive Shake

Beach Club Resort 
 
Beach Club Marketplace
  • Holiday Mickey Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake, white chocolate mousse, colored buttercream, holiday sprinkles, and white chocolate candy cane 🥧❄️
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
  • Festive Shake: Cookie butter milk shake with caramel drizzle and holiday sprinkles topped with a Christmas tree cupcake ❄️
Candy Cane Cheesecake Brownie & Snowflake Cinnamon Roll

BoardWalk
 
BoardWalk Deli
  • Candy Cane Cheesecake Brownie: Peppermint cheesecake, decadent brownie, and dark chocolate ‘sleigh bell’ truffle 🥧❄️
  • Snowflake Cinnamon Roll: Fondant icing with sugar snowflake decór 🥧❄️
Carousel Coffee
  • Snowflake Cinnamon Roll: Fondant icing with sugar snowflake decór 🥧❄️
  • Candy Cane Latte: Joffrey’s Coffee with peppermint and milk ❄️
Caribbean Beach
Centertown Market
  • Minnie Holiday Sundae: Soft-serve with red velvet cone, whipped cream, chocolate garnish, and sprinkles ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Spyglass Grill
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Let It Snow Cube & Present Peppermint Brownie Pop

Grand Floridian
Gasparilla Island Grill
  • Let It Snow Cube: Almond-Praline mousse, Confit Apricot, and Orange Chiffon 🥧❄️
  • Present Peppermint Brownie Pop: Brownie filled with House-made Peppermint Patty enrobed in White Chocolate ❄️
Ornament Cupcake

Old Key West & Saratoga Springs 
Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette
  • Ornament Cupcake: Christmas confetti cupcake, cream cheese mousse, and buttercream ❄️
Festive Cupcake & Olu Mel Holiday Float

Polynesian Village
Capt. Cook’s
  • Festive Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, peppermint mousse, streusel, and chocolate décor ❄️
Kona Island
  • Festive Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, peppermint mousse, streusel, and chocolate décor ❄️
  • Candy Cane Latte: Joffrey’s Coffee with peppermint and milk ❄️
Pineapple Lanai
  • Olu Mel Holiday Float: DOLE Whip Lime with pineapple juice, white chocolate piece, and strawberry popping candy 
Pop Century 
Everything POP Shopping & Dining
  • Deer Holly Day Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache and topped with a peanut butter-cream cheese buttercream ❄️
  • Candy Cane Latte: Joffrey’s Coffee with peppermint and milk ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Port Orleans - French Quarter
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory 
  • Minnie Holiday Sundae: Choice of ice cream with red velvet cone, whipped cream, chocolate garnish, and sprinkles ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Port Orleans - Riverside
Riverside Mill
  • Minnie Holiday Sundae: Choice of ice cream with red velvet cone, whipped cream, chocolate garnish, and sprinkles ❄️
  • Snowflake Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles 🥕❄️
Gingerbread Eggnog Entremet & Gingerbread Cookie

Riviera Resort 
Le Petit Cafe
  • Gingerbread Eggnog Entremet: Gingerbread financier, eggnog panna cotta, and raspberry gel 🥧❄️
  • Gingerbread Cookie: European-style gingerbread, dark chocolate, and sugar glaze ❄️
Primo Piatto
  • Gingerbread Cookie: European-style gingerbread, dark chocolate, and sugar glaze ❄️
Peppermint Igloo & Holiday Mickey Cupcake

Wilderness Lodge  
Roaring Fork
  • Peppermint Igloo: White chocolate igloo filled with white chocolate-peppermint mousse and dark chocolate cake ❄️
Yacht Club
The Market at Ale & Compass
  • Holiday Mickey Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake, white chocolate mousse, colored buttercream, holiday sprinkles, and white chocolate candy cane 🥧❄️
Candy Cane Latte & Minnie Holiday Sundae

Various Quick Service Restaurants
  • Candy Cane Latte: Joffrey’s Coffee with peppermint and milk ❄️
  • Minnie Holiday Sundae: Choice of Ice Cream (at Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory) or soft-serve (at Intermission Food Court, End Zone Food Court, World Premiere, and Centertown Market) with red velvet cone, whipped cream, chocolate garnish, and sprinkles ❄️
Gingerbread Martini & Holiday Fruitcake Old Fashioned

Various Table-Service Restaurants and Lounges
Contemporary - Steakhouse 71
Beach Club - Martha’s Vineyard
Saratoga Springs - Turf Club Lounge
  • Gingerbread Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, RumChata Liqueur, and gingerbread spice featuring a rim of gingerbread ❄️
Various Lounges and Table-Service Restaurants
Wilderness Lodge - Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Vero Beach - Wind and Waves
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Sanaa
  • Holiday Fruitcake Old Fashioned: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. Apple Blossom Bitters, cranberry, lemon, and rosemary ❄️
Various Pool Bars
Riviera - Bar Riva
Port Orleans - French Quarter - Mardi Grogs 
All-Star Sports - Grandstand
  • Holiday Fruitcake Mule: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. Apple Blossom Bitters, cranberry juice, and rosemary topped with ginger beer ❄️
🥧 - New
🥕 - Plant-based
❄️ - Available November 1 - January 1

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

A New Star Wars Adventure Awaits

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Trailer
All images: Lucasfilm

A new trailer has arrived for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and it looks rather exciting. It reminds me of the kids' adventure movies in the 80s, which I loved.


Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm:

“Skeleton Crew” follows the journey of four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, then get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, crossing paths with the likes of Jod Na Nawood, the mysterious character played by Jude Law. Finding their way home—and meeting unlikely allies and enemies—will be a greater adventure than they ever imagined.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew arrive on DisneyPlus on December 3rd.
New episodes will debut each Tuesday.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Marvel Series Coming To DisneyPlus

Marvel Series Coming To DisneyPlus
Marvel 

There are so many amazing Marvel series headed to DisneyPlus this fall and next year. Three new animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Eyes of Wakanda, and Marvel Zombies join a third season of What If...?. There are also three new live-action series. Daredevil: Born Again is a continuation of the Daredevil series that appeared on Netflix for 3 seasons. Ironheart is a spin off from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever about young superhero Riri Williams. And Wonder Man, the most obscure of the series, is a bit of a show within a show, where the main character is an actor who gets the lead role in a show called "Wonder Man".

And, finally, Deadpool & Wolverine is headed to DisneyPlus next week. I can't wait to watch it again because it was so much fun the first time.


Deadpool & Wolverine arrives on November 12.

What If…? returns with daily episodes beginning on December 22.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man joins the lineup on January 29, 2025.

Daredevil: Born Again arrives on March 4, 2025.

Ironheart debuts on June 24, 2025.

Eyes of Wakanda arrives on August 6, 2025.

Marvel Zombies debuts in time for Halloween in October 2025.

Wonder Man is set to appear in December 2025.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Paddington Is Back To Rescue Aunt Lucy

Paddington in Peru Trailer
All images: Sony

Paddington Bear is headed back to theaters for another adventure. This time, Paddington and the Brown family are off to Peru to rescue Paddington's Aunt Lucy. 


Here's the official synopsis from StudioCanal & Sony:

Full of Paddington’s signature blend of wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud humor, Paddington in Peru finds the beloved, marmalade-loving bear lost in the jungle on an exciting, high-stakes adventure. When Paddington discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the wilds of Peru to look for her, the only clue to her whereabouts a spot marked on an enigmatic map. Determined to solve the mystery, Paddington embarks on a thrilling quest through the rainforests of the Amazon to find his aunt…and may also uncover one of the world’s most legendary treasures.

"Paddington in Peru" stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Ben Whishaw returning as the voice of Paddington.

Paddington in Peru Poster

Paddington in Peru
arrives in US theaters on January 17, 2025.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Sir Francis Bacon Quote

Sir Francis Bacon


In order for the light to shine so brightly,
the darkness must be present.

- Sir Francis Bacon

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Snowmen In The Greenhouse?!

Sandy snowman family

I love the way Disney decorates the greenhouses in EPCOT's Living With The Land. Last year, this sandy snowman family was part of the holiday decor. It's a perfect solution for when you live somewhere that rarely sees snow.

Friday, November 1, 2024

Boursin Fig and Balsamic Cheesecake Recipe From Disney

Boursin Fig and Balsamic Cheesecake
Disney

There are so many tasty treats to discover at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. One of this year's new desserts is the Boursin Fig and Balsamic Cheesecake. It looks delightful, and with this recipe from Disney, you can try it at home.

Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake
Makes one 9-inch cake 

Spice Cake
3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
1/8 tsp coarse salt 
1/4 tsp baking powder 
1/4 tsp baking soda 
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1/8 tsp ground ginger 
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 
1/8 tsp ground allspice 
1/8 tsp ground cloves 
1/3 cup sugar 
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar 
2 eggs 
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
1/4 cup canola oil 
2 Tbsp orange juice   

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray and line bottom with 9-inch parchment paper circle. Set aside. 

Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves together in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.  

Combine sugar, brown sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla extract and whisk until combined.  

Fold half of the flour mixture into the egg and sugar. Add oil and fold until combined. Fold in remaining flour and orange juice until just combined. 

Pour into prepared springform pan and bake for 10-15 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place pan on wire rack and cool to room temperature.  

Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake 
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened  
2 (5.2 ounce) packages Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheese  
1 cup sugar 
1/2 tsp orange zest 
2 Tbsp cornstarch 
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese 
1/4 cup fig jam 
1 tsp maple extract 
5 eggs 
 
Preheat oven to 300°F. Wrap bottom of pan containing Spice Cake with foil.  

Combine cream cheese, Boursin Fig & Balsamic Cheese, sugar, orange zest, and cornstarch in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat for 4 minutes on medium speed.  

Scrape sides of mixer bowl with spatula. Add mascarpone cheese, fig jam, and maple extract. Continue to mix at medium speed until blended.  Reduce speed to low and add eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated.  

Pour cheesecake mix on top of Spice Cake in springform pan. Place springform pan in a baking sheet and place in oven. Carefully fill baking sheet with water.  

Bake for 50-65 minutes, until center of cheesecake is set. Remove from water bath and cool on wire rack at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover with foil and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.  

Topping
1 cup fig jam  
12 pecan halves, toasted 
6 figs, halved 

To Serve 
Remove chilled cheesecake from refrigerator and unmold from springform pan. Top with fig jam before slicing. Serve each slice with pecan halves and fresh figs.  

Cook’s Note: Any variety of fresh figs can be used in this recipe.