Poison Apple Pie

Poison Apple Pie (A Recipe with a Wickedly Sweet Secret)

Come closer, dearie... just one bite.

Straight from the Evil Queen’s orchard, this spellbinding pie is baked with freshly chopped apples, dark berries, and a hint of mischief. The kind of dessert that might be cursed—but in the very best way.

And it looks the part too. With a golden top crust carved into a haunting face, this bewitching beauty is a Halloween showstopper—perfect for villainous dinner parties, moody autumn nights, or just an excuse to bake something dramatic and delicious.

The first time I made this pie, I joked that it was a magic wishing pie—because the scent alone made people lean in, curious and wide-eyed. Just like Snow White. (I won’t say someone swooned, but I will say second slices were served.)

Poison Apple Pie

Inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Servings: 8

Ingredients 4 Granny Smith Apples, peeled and diced

12oz frozen cherries

Juice from one lemon

2 tsp pumpkin or apple pie spice

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons Clearjel

Two pie crusts

Egg wash

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line pie plate with one pie crust and set aside. Pour lemon juice over diced apples and stir to prevent browning.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring cherries, one cup of apples, sugar, water, and pie spice to a boil over medium heat. Then lower heat and simmer until thickened and the cherries have popped, about 10–15 minutes.

3. Remove from heat, and add dried cranberries, remaining apples, and Clearjel. Let filling cool while preparing the crust.

4. Lay second pie crust on working area. Using a picture reference and a knife, free hand the Poison Apple face to the pie crust. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Paint the crust with egg wash.

5. Spoon pie filling into pastry lined pie plate, and then carefully place crust on top. Fold and pinch pie crusts together. Cover edges with aluminum foil or pie crust protector shield.

6. Bake for 30 minutes, remove crust shield and bake for additional 15 minutes.

7. Serve warm if desired.

Recipe Tip: Use a mix of tart apples and sweet. Honeycrisp and Granny Smith work like a charm, and don’t skip the cinnamon. The filling should taste like an incantation of fall itself.

Design Note: I cut the top crust freehand with a paring knife and added a little extra egg wash for that golden shimmer of menace. Want to keep it extra spooky? Mix a touch of black cocoa into the filling or edge the crust with sugar dyed red as a warning...