Celebrate 35 Years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Two Classic Recipes

Happy 35th anniversary to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The park officially opened on May 1, 1989, and to celebrate, we’re sharing two recipes straight from the Disney Recipe Vault. These dishes come from two original restaurants that debuted with the park: 50’s Prime Time Café and The Hollywood Brown Derby.

In addition to these recipes, check out this full video loop from the 50th Prime Time Cafe.

Mom’s Traditional Meatloaf – 50’s Prime Time Café

This comfort-food favorite has been served at 50’s Prime Time Café since opening day. Known for its kitschy décor and cheeky servers, the restaurant continues to bring nostalgic family meals to life. Now you can bring a little of that warmth home.

Ingredients (Serves 8)

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• ¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp + ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp coarsely cracked black peppercorns
• ½ tsp coarse salt
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Lightly oil two 8½-inch by 4½-inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, cracked peppercorns, and salt just until well blended; do not overmix.
3. Divide the meat mix in half, shape into 2 loaves, and place in the prepared loaf pans.  Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the internal temperature taken with an instant-read thermometer is 155°F.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and the remaining ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.  Brush the meat loaves with the ketchup mixture and bake for 10 minutes longer.
5. Remove the meat loaves from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note: Meatloaf can be garnished with extra sauce. Double ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce recipe and reserve half for drizzling on meatloaf slices. 

Grapefruit Cake – The Hollywood Brown Derby

This iconic dessert debuted with The Hollywood Brown Derby in 1989 and has remained a favorite ever since. With its tart citrus flavor and creamy frosting, it’s a delightful end to any celebration.

Cake Ingredients (Serves 8)

• 1½ cups sifted cake flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 large eggs, separated
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup water
• 3 tbsp grapefruit juice
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• ¼ tsp cream of tartar

Frosting Ingredients

• Two 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar

Topping

• 1 can (16 oz) grapefruit sections, drained
• Grapefruit syrup (optional)

FOR GRAPEFRUIT CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 X 2-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and lightly butter the paper and sides.
2. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Whisk egg yolks, oil, water, grapefruit juice, and lemon zest until smooth in a medium bowl. Whisk in the flour mixture.
4. Beat the egg whites and the cream of tartar just to stiff peaks with an electric or stand mixture. Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture with a rubber spatula until just blended. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. Invert the cake, still in the pan, and cool on a wire rack.
6. Run a spatula or a table knife around the edge of the cake and carefully remove from the pan.

FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

1. Beat cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on high speed until light and fluffy.
2. Add the lemon juice and the lemon zest. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and beat until well blended. Keep covered until ready to frost cake.

TO SERVE: 

1. Halve cake horizontally with a serrated knife.
2. Spread 1/3 to 1/2 cup frosting over top of first layer to with about 1/4 inch of edge. Top with several grapefruit sections.
3. Place second cake layer, rounded side up, on frosted first layer. Frost top and sides with remaining icing.
4. To serve, garnish with remaining grapefruit sections and desired amount of grapefruit syrup.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.   

Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens.  

The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.