Why Make These Creepy Eye Pies?
You want to make something fun and different for your next gathering. This recipe for Creepy Eye Pies is perfect because it looks amazing and tastes great. It’s a real head-turner at parties, especially Halloween! Even though these pies look fancy, making them is surprisingly easy for anyone, no matter your baking skill. You can also change up the “eye” design and pie flavors, making each pie unique. Kids can even help with decorating the eyes (with help from an adult). Plus, beneath the spooky look, there’s a truly delicious pie waiting to be enjoyed.
How to Make Creepy Eye Pies
Making Creepy Eye Pies involves two main parts: baking your pie and then creating the spooky candy eyes to put on top. First, you’ll prepare your chosen pie filling with a crust. Then, you’ll melt white candy or chocolate to make the whites of the eyes. You’ll use colored glaze for the irises and chocolate for the pupils. Finally, you’ll add red gel for bloodshot veins. Once your pie is cool and the eyes are set, you’ll put them together for a truly unique dessert.
Ingredients of Creepy Eye Pies:
- For the Pie Base:
- Pre-made refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade)
- Your favorite pie filling (like cherry, blueberry, chocolate pudding, or pumpkin)
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- For the Creepy Eyes:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Food coloring (red, black, green, blue, yellow – gel colors work best)
- White candy melts or white chocolate (for the base of the eyeballs)
- Chocolate chips or dark candy melts (for pupils)
- Red food coloring gel (for “bloodshot” veins)
- Small round cookie cutters or piping tips (for eye shaping)
Creepy Eye Pies
Spook up your Halloween with these delicious and easy-to-make Classic Creepy Eye Pies. Perfect for parties or a fun family treat!
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 mini pies 1x
Ingredients
1 box (14.1 ounces) refrigerated pie crusts, softened 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling 1/2 cup black edible icing gel 12–15 edible candy eyeballs (various sizes) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Unroll one pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter or glass rim, cut out 12-15 circles from each pie crust. Re-roll scraps as needed. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling onto the center of half of the pie crust circles. Top with the remaining pie crust circles. Using a fork, crimp the edges together to seal the pies. Place the pies on a greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, use a small dot of black icing gel to attach an edible candy eyeball to the center of each pie, making them look like creepy eyes. Add more black gel to create a pupil or veins if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your spooky Creepy Eye Pies!
Notes
For an extra creepy effect, you can use a small knife to make jaggy cuts around the “eyeball” after it’s attached. These Creepy Eye Pies are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Get creative with different fruit fillings like apple or blueberry for varied “eye” colors!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Directions of Creepy Eye Pies:
- Prepare Your Pie Base:
- Preheat your oven as your pie crust and filling instructions say.
- Roll out one pie crust. Carefully put it into a pie dish. Cut off any extra crust.
- Pour your chosen pie filling into the crust.
- For the top crust, use another full crust or make a lattice pattern, leaving space for the eyes.
- Brush the edges of the bottom crust with the egg wash. Place the top crust or lattice over the filling. Press the edges together to seal.
- If you use a full top crust, cut small vent holes in it.
- Bake the pie as your filling instructions say until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Creepy Eyes:
- The Whites of the Eyes: Melt white candy melts or white chocolate as the package says. Spread thin, round circles (about 1.5-2 inches wide) on parchment paper. These are the whites of your eyeballs. Put them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.
- The Irises: In separate small bowls, mix a little powdered sugar with a tiny bit of milk to make a thick glaze. Color each bowl with different food coloring (green, blue, yellow, etc.) for different iris colors. Once the white candy circles are set, use a small piping tip or a toothpick to carefully draw a smaller circle in the middle of each “white” with your colored glaze. Let these set.
- The Pupils: After the irises are dry, melt a few dark chocolate chips or dark candy melts. Use a very small piping tip or a toothpick to add a tiny dot in the center of each iris for the pupil. For extra shine, add a tiny white dot of glaze on the pupil. Let these set.
- Bloodshot Veins: Dip a clean, fine paintbrush or the tip of a toothpick into red food coloring gel. Carefully draw thin, wavy lines going from the center of the eye to the outer white, making them look bloodshot. Don’t add too many! Let them set completely.
- Assemble Your Creepy Eye Pies:
- When your baked pie is completely cool and your “creepy eyes” are fully set, put them on the pie.
- You can gently press the candy eyes right onto the cool pie surface. Or, if you have a full top crust, you can gently cut out small circles before placing the eyes.
- Arrange the Creepy Eye Pies however you like – peeking out from a lattice, or spread across a full crust.
How to Serve Creepy Eye Pies
Serve your Creepy Eye Pies as the main attraction at your next gathering. They are perfect for Halloween parties, horror movie nights, or any time you want a fun and spooky dessert. You can place them on a platter dusted with crushed chocolate cookies for “dirt” and add gummy worms for a graveyard feel. For a themed sweet table, put them with other fun treats like “mummy” brownies.
How to Store Creepy Eye Pies
Store leftover Creepy Eye Pies covered in the refrigerator. The pie filling will tell you how long they last, but usually, they are good for 3-4 days. Store them carefully so you don’t damage the “eyes.”
Tips to Make Creepy Eye Pies
- Be Patient: Let each part of the “eye” dry completely before you do the next step. This stops the colors from mixing.
- Candy Melt Consistency: If your candy melts are too thick, add a tiny bit of vegetable shortening. If they are too thin, add more melted candy melts.
- Pie Filling Creativity: The pie filling is important too! Try flavors that match the spooky theme, like a dark cherry filling for a “bloody” look.
- Make Eyes Ahead: You can make the candy “creepy eyes” a few days before. Once they are fully set, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Put parchment paper between them so they don’t stick. This makes putting the pies together much faster.
Variation
- Individual Creepy Tartlets: Make smaller, individual tartlets instead of one big pie. Put one large creepy eye on each.
- Gooey Green Pie: Use a lime or pistachio filling for a gooey, green look.
- Savory Eyes: Try mini chicken pot pies with “creepy eyes” made from pastry disks and olive slices. This is for something different!
FAQs
Q1: What is the best way to keep leftover Creepy Eye Pies fresh?
A: To keep your Creepy Eye Pies fresh, put them in a covered container in the refrigerator. They usually stay good for 3-4 days, depending on the pie filling. Make sure to store them gently so the “eyes” don’t get squashed.
Q2: Can I make the Creepy Eyes ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can! Make the candy “creepy eyes” several days before you need them. Once they are completely set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Put parchment paper between them to keep them from sticking.
Q3: Are Creepy Eye Pies only for Halloween?
A: No, Creepy Eye Pies are great for more than just Halloween! Their fun and unique look makes them perfect for any party where you want something playful and eye-catching. Think movie nights, themed birthday parties, or just a fun family baking day.
Q4: My “eyes” are not sticking to the pie. What can I do?
A: Make sure your pie is completely cool and dry. If the pie is warm or wet, the candy melts might slide off. You can also put a tiny drop of corn syrup or a little bit of thick pie filling on the back of each eye before you place it, to help it stick better to your Creepy Eye Pies.