Halloween Apple Pie with Dulce de Leche (Skulls)

Crush the cookies in a blender.

Mix the crushed cookies with the butter, working the dough with your hands until completely combined.

Spread the cookie dough into a pie dish (over parchment paper, if necessary) and press to form the base of the pie.

Bake the pie base in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes.

While the base bakes, peel the apples and place them in a bowl with water and squeezed lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

Use appropriate tools to carve the skull details into the apples (e.g., melon baller for the eyes and a knife for the nose and mouth).

Brush the partially baked crust with butter and return it to the oven for about 30 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

Spread a generous layer of dulce de leche over the baked crust.

Arrange the decorated apples (in skull shape) over the dulce de leche.

Sprinkle a crumb topping made from crushed nuts over the apples.

Finish the pie by adding edible flowers, if desired.