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Home » RECIPES » GLUTEN-FREE (GF)

Apple Shrunken Heads Cider (AIP, Paleo, Whole30, GFDF)

Bright smiling woman with glasses, Heather Cooan portrait.
Modified: Jan 20, 2022 · Published: Oct 23, 2019 by Heather Cooan, MBA, ONC, FDNP, NTP · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
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Image Credit: Martha Stewart

I stumbled across this apple shrunken heads cider over at MarthaStewart.com and had to add it to the Halloween recipe lineup this month. These little shrunken heads are way cool. Such a creative idea!

If you let them sit out, they turn into the scariest garnish ever, the way the apple ages and gets all wrinkly, they look so real and creepy! You can even bake them at a super low temperature or use a dehydrator to pull the moisture out of them to speed up the process.

They're so cool, they're not just for adding to cider or punch. I would totally go so far as to hang these guys from the ceiling with a rope around my table or create a bouquet of them for added decoration.

The guys over at Country & Victorian Times have a great and detailed description of how to make shrunken heads for his purpose.

Find Halloween Punch Bowls on Amazon!

If you do decide to use the apples to make apple shrunken heads cider, you have to find a creepy way to serve it! Dry ice or a fog machine can add the extra creepiness. You can also serve it in a creepy cauldron like a witches brew.

Serve this cider alongside creepy snacks like spider deviled eggs, shrimp ears, and Frankenstein's fingers string cheese snacks.

Recipe

apple shrunken heads cider

Apple Shrunken Head Cider

Heather Cooan
These apple shrunken heads in this cider are so creepy and awesome. You've got to make these for your next Halloween party!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 1 hour hr
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 436 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbs. Coarse Salt
  • 8 Large Granny Smith Apples
  • 32 Whole Cloves
  • 2 Gallons Apple Cider
  • 24 oz. Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, Thawed 2 cans
  • 2 Cups Spiced Rum optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together lemon juice and salt; set aside.
  • Peel apples and cut each in half through the stem; remove seeds and core. Using a sharp paring knife, carve a face, as desired, on the rounded side of each apple half. Place apples in the lemon mixture for one minute; transfer to paper towels to drain.
  • Place apples, face-side up on the prepared baking sheet and transfer to oven. Let bake until apples are dry and begin to brown around the edges, about 90 minutes. Remove apples from baking sheets and press cloves into the "eye" sockets.
  • Combine cider, lemonade, and rum (if using) in a large punchbowl; float shrunken heads on top.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:436kcalCarbohydrates:92gProtein:1gFat:1gFiber:4g
Did You Make this Recipe?I'd love to see how it came out. Mention @HeatherCooan or tag #heathercooan!

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Heather Cooan in the kitchen chopping a cucumber on a wooden cutting board.

Hi, I'm Heather!

I'm an Oncology Nutrition Consultant and lived experience mentor providing education, data-driven nutritional recommendations, and trauma-informed strategic environmental and lifestyle design for those living with cancer, autoimmunity, and complex chronic illness.

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Disclaimer: Functional oncology nutrition consulting is not medical nutrition therapy and does not diagnose, treat, manage, or cure any disease. It is intended to support the proper functioning of biological systems as adjunct support to your licensed healthcare provider's treatment plan. Personalized diet, lifestyle, and environmental recommendations aim to optimize well-being but are not a substitute for medical care. Any lab or genetic information used is solely for personalizing diet and lifestyle, not for diagnosing or treating disease. You are required to work with a licensed healthcare provider, including a primary care practitioner and, if you have or have had cancer, a medical oncologist. All recommendations, including supplements and labs, must be approved by your healthcare provider before implementation. Heather Cooan and the other consultants at Soil to Soul Nutrition’s role is to provide support and guidance, not to replace your physician's care.

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