Copycat Legoland Apple Fries Recipe + Enter the #SoGoodTogether Contest!

I have gone to Legoland California every year since it first opened. From visiting with my parents, to my friends and loved ones, I love this park and they have one of my favorite snack items of all-time in any theme park! Granny's Apple Fries is a treat I discovered in the castle area and is something I get every single visit! After one bite, it will remind you of apple pie and here is how to make this awesome treat at home! I headed off to my local Smart & Final to pick up all of the ingredients.

What you need:

- 4 Granny Smith apples, which was easy as picking up these beautiful Granny Smith's from Smart & Final

- 1/2 cup of corn starch, which I used First Street Corn Starch

- 1/2 cup of sugar, which I used First Street Pure Cane Sugar

- 1/8 cup of cinnamon, which I used First Street ground cinnamon

- frying oil, which I choose to use First Street Vegetable Oil

- whipped cream of choice, which of course I used the First Street Dairy Whipped Topping

Directions:

1. Heat about one inch of oil in a deep frying pot over medium heat

2. Core and peel the apples. Then slice the applies into french fry pieces. Keeping the slices about the same size means they will cook evenly. Then toss the apple slices into corn starch and coat evenly.

3. In a separate bowl, combine both the sugar and the cinnamon and set that bowl aside for now.

4. In small batches, fry the apples for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. Use a slotted spoon to remove the apples. Drain the apples on a paper towels or a brown paper bag. Sprinkle your apple fries quite liberally with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.

5. Continue frying the apples until all have been cooked and serve immediately with the whipped cream in a small bowl to dip them in. Enjoy!

So Good Together Photo Contest:

It comes as no surprise that Smart & Final loves Summer! What could be better that combining friends, fun, sun and of course food? How about winning a "So Good Together" Photo Contest? All you need to do is take a photo  at your next summer get together and use the hashtag #SoGoodTogetherContest for a chance to win $2,500 in SmartCash Gift Cards from Smart & Final! The picture with the most votes at the end of the contest will be the winner! For more information please 

 Food, friends, fun & sun... What could possibly be better? How about winning a “So Good Together” Photo Contest? Simply snap a pic during your next summer gathering and post it with #SoGoodTogetherContest for a chance to win $2,500 in SmartCash Gift Cards. The picture with the most votes at the end of the contest will be crowned the winner! For more information or to find your nearest location, please visit www.smartandfinal.com.

You can find the official contest rules here: So Good Together Smart & Final Photo Contest.

Legoland California Trip Report!

I haven't been to Legoland in Carlsbad in about three years. So, when the option to go came up with my Kia Social Media Trip, I jumped on it. I have been a huge Lego fan all my life and as an adult I will admit that I still have Legos around!

One of the biggest changes is the new Legoland Hotel opening April 5th! This place looks so cool and it's just the outside of the building! Maybe Legoland needs a blogger to come and review the hotel?

Pretty much as close as one can get. This is a great looking dining area.

Let's go into the park!

As to be expected their are lots of things made out of Lego's!

I love the dinosaurs!

 They have a great area to grab a bucket and a shovel to go and try to dig up some dinosaur fossils!

There are quite a few rides throughout the park. One of my favorites is this Safari Ride! There are lots of great Lego animals to take photos of!

The Lego Master Builders are so good!

Fairy Tale Brook is another favorite. You board Lego leaves and float around some of your favorite fairy tales all done in Lego's unique sense of humor.

For instance, Prince Charming is talking on his iPhone!

Hanging with Harry and Hagrid!

There are also lots of great interactive areas. My favorite is this musical instrument interactive area! There are areas to step on that activate the various musical instruments!

And there are a lot of great photo ops like this!

It's ok to take a nap anywhere here! lol

Legoland has a water park. It is a separate admission and while I had a park hopper ticket to go in, I choose not to go.

You can take a mini Factory Tour and see how Lego's are made.

The best men's restroom sign ever!

There are fun walk thrus such as this where you are encouraged to explore and try to find the seven keys.

The shark got me lol

Make you sure you look everywhere! You will find great things like this guard asleep at his post!

This is the place to go for one of my favorite snacks!

I always have to get an order of Granny's Apple Fries when I am here! You take granny smith apples, dust them with sugar and cinnamon, some special magic and then serve them warm with a vanilla cream dipping sauce! they are so amazing!

One of my favorite features of Legoland is their Mini Land section. They added the Star Wars Mini Land. I have included a link to another post dedicated to just that section of the park.

Click the link to see more photos from the Star Wars Mini Land!
Legoland Star Wars Mini Land

But I will tease you with just a few photos for now!

They also have this representation of the highlights of the state of California.

 I love the Victorian houses.

Amazing detail!

There is also this gorgeous view of the New York City skyline and the addition of the Freedom Tower!

It is easy to take way too many photos in this section of the park!

There is also an amazing section dedicated to the Vegas Strip!

I wish I could build things out of my Lego's like the Luxor!

Reaching out with the Dark Side of The Force!

Washington D.C. looks so impressive even in Lego form!

I ended my day with a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium, another part of the Legoland  Resort. And just like the Water Park requires a separate admission. I included a separate link to my review of the Sea Life Aquarium!

Click the link to see my Sea Life Aquarium Trip Report:
Legoland Sea Life Aquarium Trip Report

There is so much to see and do! Clearly this is a park geared towards families with younger children. But as an adult who still loves Legos, I still found this a great park to go and explore!

To learn more check out the Legoland California website:
http://california.legoland.com/

*Disclaimer: Transportation, lodging and meals were provided by Kia but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.*

Photos by Jason

Legoland: Star Wars Mini Land! (Photo Heavy)

Take a look at the amazing Star Wars Mini Land at Legoland California! I took so many photos and want to share with you the amazing details from each movie!

Look at the beautiful Naboo!

There is always a bigger fish!

An epic battle is about to begin!

The Gungans are ready to fight!

The droid army is set to destroy everything on the planet.

The fight in the arena!

The Clone Wars have begun!

The jedi have arrived!

Master Yoda commands his forces!

The Battle of Kashyyyk has begun!

The wookies and clone army are ready!

Look at the detail!

The most epic lightsaber battle in the history of Star Wars in about to begin!

Master and padawan fight to the end!

You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

The cantina band plays their favorite song.

She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts!

A wampa has captured Luke.

The Empire has discovered the Rebels secret base.

One AT-AT is down! Another is soon to follow!

The snowspeeders are one of my all-time favorite Star Wars vehicles!

The ewoks are resourceful!

The rebels have won!

Luke has a final confrontation with his father!

There is so much to take in and I easily spent an hour here taking photos and just admiring the work! If you are a Star Wars fan and need to geek out, come to Legoland California and check out the amazing Star Wars Mini Land! Bring your camera and an extra battery! Trust me you will need it!

To learn more about Legoland California, check out their website:
http://california.legoland.com/

*Disclaimer: Transportation, lodging and meals were provided by Kia but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.*

Photos by Jason