The secret’s out

A few days ago Jenny posted about the chocolate chip cookie recipe released by DoubleTree by Hilton, noting that the cookies were definitely worth the hype. DoubleTree is not alone in handing out formerly “secret” recipes during the pandemic – brands such as Pret A Manger, Waffle House, Disneyland, and even McDonald’s are also giving away recipes for iconic products.

If you have the inclination, you can now make your own versions of Pret A Manger’s chocolate chip cookies (maybe pit them head-to-head against the DoubleTree recipe), Disney’s churros and Dole Whip, McDonald’s sausage and egg McMuffin, plus a few other famous brand products. While these gestures are made with any eye toward maintaining good PR so that people will remember once travel and socializing restrictions are lifted, they do serve as a way to brighten one’s spirits during a time of worry and and uncertainty.

I stumbled across Disney’s Dole Whip recipe a couple of days ago and since I had all of the ingredients (vanilla ice cream, pineapple juice, and frozen pineapple) I decided to give it a try. It was delightful! Granted, I have never been to any Disney theme park to experience the real thing, but it certainly tasted fantastic to me. One thing to note: the Dole company has its own Dole Whip recipe that differs significantly from the Disneyland version (it contains banana and coconut milk). Looks like I will be having another sugar-laden concoction soon. I’m just glad I can wear yoga pants to work because stretchy bottoms are a necessity right now.

Which formerly secret brand recipes have you discovered and tried? How do they compare with the real thing?