If you are not part of that Disney-obsessed millennial era, then this post might not be for you. And that’s not because these beautifully scary Poison Apple Cookies are not for everyone, but mainly because we millennials know all these by heart. For real. It’s like Disney is our whole vibe and life and we won’t hear otherwise, ever. So of course these poison apple cookies will be a must at your next Halloween party, and you can thank us later for the recipe.

Because we all know a Halloween party is never complete without the whole deal – savoury, sweet, drinks, everything – we got you covered with some brilliant recipes:

• A wonderfully scary Halloween Margarita, black as your soul (and mine);
• These other brilliant Halloween cookies, hand-decorated and all;
• A Halloween Pot Pie with scary googly eyes;
• These pumpkin cheesecake donuts could easily become scary with the right set of eyes;
• A 5 minute love potion cocktail, even if technically a Valentine’s drink;
• Or even, this list of Halloween foods to try out!

So then get ready to embark on a delightful journey into the world of enchanting treats, where poison apple cookies take centre stage. These poison apple cookies are not your ordinary sweets; they’re a wickedly fun and delicious way to celebrate Halloween or channel your inner Evil Queen. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to create these sinisterly scrumptious poison apple cookies step by step, complete with all the tips and tricks you need. So, grab your apple cookie cutter, and let’s dive into the magic!

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The Tale of Poison Apples: A Halloween Classic

You have asked, and we have listened: over on our Instagram, we polled about more recipes inspired by movies and series, after the Ponyo ramen. And because we love you all so much, we got thinking and these poison apple cookies were the ones to go first.

But before we embark on our baking adventure, let’s take a moment to appreciate the iconic poison apple. These sinisterly red fruits have been a symbol of wickedness since the days of Snow White and the Evil Queen. Whether you’re a Disney fan or simply love the spooky vibes of Halloween, these poison apple cookies are sure to put a wicked grin on your face.

While I do have to admit I just love Snow White, the pies, and the dwarfs, the apple scenes with the Evil Queen are always the ones I used to dislike the most. I found them scary as a little girl, while I could probably side with her a little nowadays. But let’s backtrack a little.

Snow White is one of the most iconic and beloved characters in the realm of fairy tales and animation. She made her debut in the 1937 Disney animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was the world’s first full-length animated feature. Here’s a bit about Snow White:

• Origin: Snow White’s story has its roots in German folklore, particularly the tale of Schneewittchen, as collected by the Brothers Grimm in the early 19th century. The Grimms’ version served as the basis for Disney’s adaptation;
• Character Description: Snow White is typically depicted as a young, kind-hearted princess with striking ebony hair, fair skin, and lips as red as a rose. Her beauty is renowned throughout the kingdom, which becomes a central element of the story;
• Personality: Snow White is known for her gentle, compassionate nature. She’s often portrayed as innocent and naive, but her kindness wins the hearts of everyone she meets, including the seven dwarfs who take her in;
• The Evil Queen: In the classic story, Snow White’s beauty arouses the jealousy of her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen, who attempts to have her killed. The Queen’s iconic line, Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? is widely recognized;
• Seven Dwarfs: Snow White’s journey leads her to the cottage of the seven dwarfs – Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey. They become her protectors and friends, and their quirky personalities add humour and warmth to the story;
• The Magic Mirror: The Magic Mirror, another memorable character, plays a pivotal role in the story. It’s the mirror that informs the Queen of Snow White’s beauty, setting the plot in motion;
• True Love’s Kiss: Snow White’s story features the iconic true love’s kiss theme, where her life is saved by the prince’s kiss after she falls into a deep slumber caused by a poisoned apple;
• Endearing Legacy: Snow White’s character has left a lasting legacy in the world of animation and popular culture. She was the first Disney Princess and remains a symbol of grace and resilience. Snow White’s story teaches important lessons about kindness, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil.

Over the years, Snow White has continued to charm audiences of all ages with her timeless tale, making her an enduring and cherished character in the world of fairy tales and animation. Plus, who doesn’t want to have seven little dwarfs as friends anyway?

Let’s get baking: Poison apple cookies

When it comes to decorating a cookie, Cristina is the queen. I am happy to bake it, prepare it, get it all sorted and move it from one room or table to the next. I am also happy to prepare the icing, get the colours sorted and put it in squeezy bottles or anywhere you might need. But not decorating, is really not my thing, including for these poison apple cookies.

All the cookies you see on this blog that have been decorated are 90% decorated by Cristina. And that’s how we love it! But let’s check out the ingredients you will need both to bake the cookies and to decorate them.

What Ingredients do I need for Poison Apple Cookies?

Before we start baking, let’s gather all the ingredients we need for our poison apple cookies. They are pretty easy to get ready, baking them will literally be like a walk in the park and the sugar cookie base does not need refrigeration, which makes it even more easy and quick. Considering the decorating itself will take some time, anything else you can spare is good indeed.

• All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the primary dry ingredient in this cookie recipe. It provides structure and texture to the cookies. The combination of flour and other ingredients will create a cookie dough that’s easy to work with and yields a delightful, tender crumb when baked;
• Baking Powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that gives the cookies a slight lift and helps them become light and airy. It ensures that your poison apple cookies are soft and not overly dense, resulting in a pleasant texture;
• Unsalted Butter: Butter is the main source of fat in these cookies, and unsalted butter is preferred so you can control the level of salt in the recipe. It contributes to the cookies’ richness and flavour, giving them that delightful buttery taste and tender crumb;
• Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cookie dough and provides a pleasant level of sweetness. It also helps with creating a slightly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft interior. The sugar is a key ingredient in achieving the right texture and flavour;
• Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent in the cookie dough. It helps hold all the other ingredients together, contributing to the cookies’ structure and moisture content. It also adds richness and helps the dough come together smoothly;
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavour of the cookies, giving them a subtle and inviting hint of vanilla. It complements the sweetness of the sugar and the richness of the butter, making the cookies more aromatic and delightful.

Then you’ll need these bits & bobs for when it comes to royal icing for the poison apple cookies:

• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, is the main component of royal icing. It serves as the sweetening agent, providing the desirable sweetness and smooth texture to the icing. The fine consistency of powdered sugar ensures that the icing is free from lumps and results in a smooth, glossy finish when dried;
• Water: Water is the liquid component used to create the desired consistency of royal icing. It’s gradually added to the powdered sugar, and the amount of water used can be adjusted to achieve the desired thickness. A thicker consistency is ideal for outlining designs, while a thinner consistency is used for flooding and filling in larger areas. Water helps the powdered sugar dissolve and blend into a smooth, workable icing;
• Various Food Colouring Gels: Various food colouring gels, available in an array of colours, are used to tint the royal icing. These gels are a concentrated form of food colouring and allow you to achieve vibrant, rich colours without adding excess moisture to the icing. Whether you’re aiming for a deep, sinister red for your poison apple cookies or various shades of green or black for decorating, food colouring gels provide the versatility to bring your creative vision to life.

How do I make the poison apple cookies?

While I won’t claim the artistry from Cristina, I can’t also claim for these to be low effort. These beautiful poison apple cookies are a bit laborious, especially when it comes to decorating as you will have to wait between one layer and the other. But they will be completely worth it, I can tell you that.

Let’s see then how to make these poison apple cookies together.

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour and baking powder mixture) to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth cookie dough forms.
5. Roll out the cookie dough between two sheets of parchment paper to your desired thickness. Using your apple cookie cutter, cut out apple shapes from the dough.
6. Place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 6-8 minutes at 180C or until just puffy and no longer glossy. You don’t want any browning to happen.
7. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Using royal icing in red and green, decorate the poison apples. Create spooky faces, drips, or any other sinister designs you like. Let your creativity run wild!

How do I make the royal icing and how do I decorate the poison apple cookies?

There are a few tips when it comes to royal icing, both on making it and using it. Let’s see them together now.

1. Begin by ensuring that your mixing bowl and all utensils are clean and free of grease, as any grease can affect the texture of the royal icing.
2. In a clean mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and water. If you prefer, you can also add a touch of vanilla extract for flavour, though it’s optional.
3. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the mixture on low speed initially to avoid creating a powdered sugar cloud. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the icing reaches stiff peaks. This process may take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Divide the royal icing into separate bowls based on the number of colours you intend to use for decorating your cookies. Add food colouring gels to each bowl and mix well until you achieve your desired shades.
5. To outline your cookies, you’ll want a thicker icing. If needed, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken the icing. For flooding or filling in larger areas, you can thin the icing by adding small amounts of water, one teaspoon at a time, and stirring until you reach the desired consistency. The right consistency for outlining and flooding is crucial to creating clean, defined designs.
6. Using a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off, fill it with the thicker, outlined icing. Outline the shape of your poison apple cookies with your chosen colour, such as red or green in the case of the poison apple cookies.
7. After outlining, switch to the thinner, flooding icing to fill in the outlined areas. Allow the icing to flow evenly and smoothly. You can use a toothpick or icing tool to help distribute the icing and fill in any gaps.
8. Allow the cookies to dry for several hours or overnight. The drying time depends on the thickness of the icing and the humidity of your environment. Ensure the icing is fully set before continuing to decorate, stacking or storing the cookies.

And that’s it! With a little practice and creativity, you can create beautifully decorated poison apple cookies using royal icing. Have fun experimenting with different designs, colours, and patterns to make your cookies truly enchanting and wickedly delightful.