While you might be familiar with Animal Kingdom Lodge‘s table service restaurants like Boma, Jiko, and Sanaa, did you know it’s also home to a great counter service restaurant?
Nyala Brownie
It’s true! This magical place, The Mara, is named for a river that travels through Kenya. We recently stopped by for some sweet treats, and we have some new recommendations for you! You know how we’ve loved the Peanut Butter Brownie here for years? Well it went off the menu a few months ago, but was quickly replaced with something ALMOST as good… .Want to know all the details?
The Mara is located at Jambo House in Animal Kingdom Lodge. The menu changes frequently, and you can expect to find everything from African-inspired stews to classic burgers.
The Mara Menu
But this time? We’re here for the desserts. As you can see, The Mara has updated their bakery selection of cookies, cupcakes, and assorted sweet treats! It’s extra-cute that most of them are now named for animals that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home, too.
The Mara Dessert Menu
The new Nyala Brownie replaces the old, beloved version of the peanut butter brownie. The old version was a huge, circular brownie topped with copious amounts of peanut butter buttercream.
Close-up of Peanut Butter Frosting on old peanut butter brownie
The new Nyala brownie is a smaller, Mickey-shaped brownie (about half the size of the old version) topped with peanut butter buttercream and vanilla buttercream.
Nyala Brownie
The Nyala Brownie still offers a super moist, yummy brownie; and the peanut butter buttercream is similar to the old version — still thick and substantial, if not quite so cookie-dough-ish.
Nyala Brownie
While we miss the extravagance of the enormous version of the old peanut butter brownie, the Nyala Brownie is still a winner.
Next up: the brand new Kudu Cookie! This one has been in the case for a short time, and it’s a winner, too!
Kudu Cookie
This cookie sandwich is made with super thick butterscotch cashew cookies with vanilla buttercream, and it’s just so pretty!
Kudu Cookie
Luckily, the Kudu Cookie is equal parts style and substance: it looks beautiful and tastes fantastic! The butterscotch cashew cookie was the perfect mix of crunchy and chewy, and the contrasting texture of the smooth vanilla buttercream was a nice touch.
Kudu Cookie
On your next visit to The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can’t go wrong with the Nyala Brownie or the Kudu Cookie. Both are highly recommended, and even destination-worthy!
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What’s YOUR favorite sweet treat from The Mara? Let us know in the comments!
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Did you happen to see the pool construction while you were testing out the baked goods? I’ve been dying to know how far along it is!!
If you’re talking about the Uzima pool, they finished ahead of time. It was open while we were there Nov. 7-12.