Description
This Shrunken Heads Halloween Apple Cranberry Walnut Tart is a show-stopping dessert that’s both spooky and scrumptious! Sweet-tart apples carved into whimsical ‘shrunken heads’ sit atop a flaky pie crust, surrounded by honey, cranberries, and walnuts for the perfect autumn treat. It’s a hauntingly fun dessert that’s guaranteed to impress at any Halloween gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Essentials:
- 4–6 firm apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 tbsp citric acid (or ½ cup lemon juice)
- 2 cups water
- Single pie crust for tart shell (homemade or store-bought)
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup honey
- 1½ tbsp orange juice
- Optional: ¼ tsp cinnamon
Substitutions & Shortcuts:
- Use Gala or Fuji apples for a sweeter flavor.
- Lemon juice can replace citric acid for convenience.
- Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly option.
- Add spices like nutmeg or ginger for extra warmth.
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Cut the apples in half, core, and peel them. Use a small knife to carve fun or spooky faces into each half.
- Treat the Apples: Mix citric acid (or lemon juice) with 2 cups of water in a medium bowl. Submerge the carved apple halves in this mixture for a few minutes to prevent browning. Remove, pat dry, and set aside.
- Bake the Apple Heads: Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C). Arrange the apples on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 3 hours. Transfer to a cooling rack, then bake for another 2–3 hours, until shrunken but still soft. Let cool.
- Prepare the Tart Crust: Increase oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Line a tart pan with the pie crust and prick the base with a fork. Trim edges and bake for about 10 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Assemble the Tart: Arrange the shrunken apple heads in the pre-baked crust. In a bowl, mix walnuts, cranberries, honey, orange juice, and cinnamon (if using). Spoon this mixture around the apples, filling the gaps. Lightly baste the apple tops with some of the syrup.
- Bake the Tart: Bake for 15–17 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the shrunken heads a day ahead and store them in an airtight container.
- For an extra spooky effect, brush a bit of warm honey on top right before serving for a glossy finish.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent touch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 5–6 hours for apple baking)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Halloween Recipe
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American Fall-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 tart)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: shrunken heads tart, Halloween dessert, apple cranberry tart, spooky tart recipe, Halloween baking ideas, fall desserts