Oh the magical seduction of the Grey Stuff. Such a novel and climactic ending to the hard-to-get lunch at Be My Guest. Back in 2020, Disney shared an elementary version of the recipe (which I’ve based these on). My guess is that the original is more of a true classic mousse, but this one is incredibly similar and yes, it’s delicious.
What’s nice about this is that anyone can make it, and it’s nearly fail-proof. And it’s a glimmering way to quickly glamp up your next birthday, anniversary or other special celebration at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
original grey stuff
At the Be Our Guest restaurant in Walt Disney World, the traditional presentation is simply the Grey Stuff all by itself or with a shortbread cookie underneath. It kind of reminds me of being a kid and only licking the icing off the birthday cake. And that’s a very glorious thing.
belle’s blissful brownies
Prepare your favorite fudgy brownie recipe or used boxed (it’s hard to beat Betty Crocker’s Fudge Brownie). Cut into circles or squares and cut in half horizontally. Use a piping bag to make a filling between the two layers and some on the top. This beautiful union is a good one to make ahead of time (make grey stuff and brownies separately) and put together at the campground.
grey stuff raspberry trifle
This makes me think of my grandmother because she loved trifles – I think they were right up there with ambrosia and cottage cheese. Actually, this concoction is quite divine. Cut a piece of cake (I used red velvet) into squares and layer with raspberries, cake, vanilla pudding, and The Grey Stuff. Top with more Grey Stuff.
raspberry red velvet cupcakes with grey stuff icing
This one is the more complex of the five, but it’s my favorite version of The Grey Stuff. Prepare red velvet cupcakes (boxed mix works fine for cupcakes – not so much for layer cakes). Use a spoon to cut a little out of the middle of each cupcake after they have cooled. Prepare raspberry filling, place 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan, heat for a few minutes, then bring to boil. Add a mixture of 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water to the saucepan. Heat on high for about one minute, stirring constantly. Let cool and spoon into cupcake centers.
To make The Grey Stuff into an icing consistency (and even more delicious to me), cream one part Grey Stuff (below) to one part basic buttercream icing. For buttercream icing, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter, 2 cups powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of water (or milk). Whip this in with The Grey Stuff and chill for at least 30 minutes. Pipe onto top of cupcakes. Now that’s a happy ending.
grey stuff gone wild (grey stuff mudslide)
For our boozy version, drizzle some chocolate syrup on the inside of your cup (yes, my chocolate runneth over in the picture). Add 1 ounce each of Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Creme, and cold Grey Goose Vodka (I keep mine in the freezer). Stir in a splash of heavy cream and pipe a niced-sized dollop of The Grey Stuff on top. This adds such a dreamy, delicate flavor to this royal beverage.
Tip: The Grey Stuff gets even better if made a day or two ahead of time. This makes it convenient to prepare before a glamping trip and have available for quick, easy and princess-worthy desserts.
The Grey Stuff Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 Oreo cookies, original don't use double-stuffed
- 1 box vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz) be SURE it's INSTANT!
- 1 1/2 cups milk, whole or 2%
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 2 tbsp chocolate instant pudding
Instructions
- Use a food processor or blender to crush the Oreos into very fine pieces.
- Combine the instant vanilla pudding with the milk. Whisk it well and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes, or until set.
- Stir the Oreo crumbs and the Cool whip into the pudding mixture. Then stir in the chocolate pudding.
- Let set for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator, preferably an hour. Even longer is better.
- Serve alone like a pudding, in a trifle, as a brownie topper, or combine with buttercream for a cupcake icing.
