How to Make Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday Tomato Basil Soup – Copycat Recipe

As a huge Mary Poppins fan, Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe is practically perfect to me and is my go-to when I visit Disneyland! During the day, I stop by to enjoy a yummy sandwich with homemade potato chips, and right before I head home, I stop in for a mocha and a Matterhorn macaroon to enjoy on my drive home. But my favorite thing at the cafe is the Jolly Holiday combo which includes a grilled cheese sandwich made with thick sliced bread and a bowl of steaming hot Tomato Basil soup. It is the BEST thing to eat on a chilly day at the park and a perfect location to watch the parade go by or even people watch. Lucky for you, I’ve got a copycat recipe that’s going to make you feel you’re at the Jolly Holiday even while you’re at home. Keep reading for a step-by-step video of how to make it!

In 1968, when I was 3 years old, my dad brought home a record album that he purchased at a Gulf gas station called Walt Disney’s Merriest songs. As my dad loaded the vinyl album into our giant Wi-Fi stereo, the very first song began to play and it was “Chim Chim Cheree” from Mary Poppins. From the moment I heard it, I was a fan! I can’t tell you how many times I listened to it while dancing around in our living room with our gold floral couch and avocado green shag carpet that my mom would rake after my follies in the room.

The lyrics and melody are a permanent part of my brain. I did not see the movie in a theater until it was re-released in 1973 when I was 8. Back then, we didn’t have the luxury of  DVDs or Disney+ to watch our favorite movies over and over again. That one sitting, in a darkened theater, was a magical time to remember every possible moment in the movie so you could replay it in your head whenever you wanted.

One of the ways that I recall those special memories is by taking a trip to Jolly Holiday for a cup of the Tomato Basil Soup. And now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for, the recipe!

Copycat Jolly Holiday Tomato Basil Soup

The Jolly Holiday Tomato Basil Soup is a favorite of everyone in my family and I always seem to make double batches so I can freeze it and have it on hand when we have a craving or want to make a quick meal!

And the recipe card you can print: 

Jolly Holiday Tomato Soup - Disneyland Copycat Recipe

Yield: 8 Bowls

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

The Jolly Holiday Tomato Basil Soup is a favorite of everyone in my family and I always seem to make double batches so I can freeze it and have it on hand when we have a craving or want to make a quick meal!

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Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Yellow Onion, diced
• 5-6 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3 oz Tomato Paste
• 1 cup Chicken or Vegetable Stock
• 2 28oz cans of Diced Tomatoes OR Roasted Roma Tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
• 1/2 tablespoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly Ground Pepper
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1/2 cup Half and Half or Heavy Cream
• 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped
• Salt, Pepper, & Sugar to taste

Instructions

1. Heat Olive Oil in a large pot over medium-high.
2. Add the Onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Next, add the Garlic and cook until fragrant; about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Add the Tomato Paste and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Then, add the Diced Tomatoes or Roasted Roma Tomatoes, Chicken or Vegetable Stock, Dried Oregano, Sugar, Salt, Pepper and Bay Leaf and stir to combine.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can break down the fresh tomatoes as they cook.
7. Remove the pot from the heat and take out the Bay Leaf.
8. Add the Half & Half (or Coconut Milk if using) and Fresh Basil.
9. Purée until smooth with an immersion blender or in batches in a conventional blender. If the soup is thicker than desired, you can thin it with a little Chicken or Vegetable Stock.
10. Adjust the seasoning, as desired, with Salt, Pepper and/or Sugar.
11. Serve hot with a grilled cheese sandwich to enjoy the Jolly Holiday combo!

Notes

Bonus points if you serve with a bit of Mary Poppins flair.

Tips and Tricks

For this recipe, I recommend roasting your own tomatoes for an extra boost of flavor. Personally, I don't mind taking the time to roast fresh tomatoes with garlic-infused olive oil. It makes the house smell great and really contributes to the homemade taste of the soup. AND, it's really simple to do.

Option: Roast Your Own Tomatoes

• Roast 3-3.5 lbs of fresh Roma tomatoes after a quick rubdown of olive oil, salt, and fresh pepper at 350° F for 25-30 minutes.
• If you're looking to save some time, using canned tomatoes is definitely the way to go.

Other Tips:

• Make sure that you cook the onions until they are translucent and only cook the garlic for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and make sure it doesn't burn.

• The longer the soup cooks, the deeper the flavor! The tomatoes will break down as it cooks.
• If you don't have an immersion blender to break the soup down in the pot you cooked it in, you can always transfer it to a regular blender and blend in small batches. Be really careful...the soup is HOT!
• You can also make the soup vegan! Just substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk.

Nutrition Information

Yield 8 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 323Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 51mgSodium 1622mgCarbohydrates 30gFiber 10gSugar 20gProtein 14g

Values depend on the brands, amounts, and additional ingredients you add.

English Muffin Toasting Bread

Makes One 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ Loaf 

English Muffin Toasting Bread

Yield: 1 Loaf

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Perfect for a thick-cut grilled cheese sandwich

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Ingredients

• 3 cups  All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tablespoon (14g) sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 cup  milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
• cornmeal, to sprinkle in pan

Instructions

1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer.
   
2. Combine the milk, water, and oil in a separate, microwave-safe bowl, and heat to between 120°F and 130°F. Be sure to stir the liquid well before measuring its temperature; you want an accurate reading. If you don't have a thermometer, the liquid will feel quite hot (hotter than lukewarm), but not so hot that it would be uncomfortable as bath water.
   
3. Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. 
   
4. Using an electric beater, or stand mixer with beater attachment, beat at high speed for 1 minute; the dough will be smooth and very soft. If you don't have an electric mixer, beat by hand for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and starting to become elastic.
   
5. Lightly grease an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, and sprinkle the bottom and sides with cornmeal.
   
6. Scoop the soft dough into the pan, leveling it in the pan as much as possible.
   
7. Cover the pan, and let the dough rise till it's just barely crowned over the rim of the pan. When you look at the rim of the pan from eye level, you should see the dough, but it shouldn't be more than, say, 1/4" over the rim. This will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour if you heated the liquid to the correct temperature and your kitchen isn't very cold. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 400°F.
   
8. Remove the cover, and bake the bread for 22 to 27 minutes, till it's golden brown and its interior temperature is 190°F.
   
9. Remove the bread from the oven, and after 5 minutes turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For perfect grilled cheese sandwiches, cut thick and liberally spread with butter before grilling.

Let’s Hear From You

Making my Jolly Holiday combo at home brings back all of those childhood memories for me and also remembering those special times at the park, sitting at a cafe table, under a yellow umbrella watching the parade go by.

Are you looking forward to making this recreation of the Jolly Holiday’s iconic soup? Is there another Disneyland food you’d like to make? With the 56th anniversary of Mary Poppins coming up on the 27th, will you be watching the classic film soon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!