Introduction: Edible Apple Swan

About: Hello and Welcome to In the Kitchen With Matt. I am your host Matt Taylor. My goal for the show is to teach you how to cook really good food at home for cheap. Eating out everyday can get expensive, but it doe…

In this instructable I will show you how to make an Edible Apple Swan Garnish. Apple Swans are actually very easy to make, and not a new idea or creation, they have been around for many years. They take some knife skills, but you don't have to be an expert with the knife to make these. Next time you go to a party, bring a fruit bowl surrounded by Apple Swans! Fruit carvings are amazing. It is sure to impress your friends and family. Spray it with some lemon juice, so it doesn't brown, serve it with peanut butter, or melted chocolate, can't go wrong with these. Or maybe put it on a piece of blue fondant and add a chocolate castle in the background, and call it an apple dragon or loch ness monster, haha :) If I can do it, you can do it, let's get started! :)

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Follow the steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both. :)

Supplies

Ingredients/Tools:

  • Apples
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • butter knives or pieces of wood
  • lemon juice for coating (to keep from browning) optional

Step 1: Let's Cut!

You may print the recipe here if you want.

First we start by cutting the apple in half at a slight angle through the core. Leaving us with two halves, one a little bigger then the other. Then remove the seeds and save them, these we will use for the eyes.

Step 2: The Main Wedges

Now we will create our two main wedges. Place two butter knifes down on the cutting board or two pieces of wood that are roughly 1/4 inch thick. Eyeball the middle of the apple slice then go about a 1/4 inch from the middle and make two cuts. Cut all the way down to the butter knife (our guide). Then come in from the side, cutting right along the guide to cut out a wedge. Do this with both sides, resulting in two nice wedges, and then a T piece.

Step 3: 1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little Wedges...

Now we take one of the wedges lay it flat, and then cut straight down, about 1/4 inch in from the edge. Flip the apple slice over and cut down again. This will create another smaller wedge. Repeat that process two more times. Combined these will create 1 wing. Next do the same process with the other wedge, so you have two wings.

Step 4: Wing Assembly

Now we put the wedges back in place and then slide them back a little bit, forming the wing. Place the wings on the base upside down T. There we go we have the body and wings for our Swan/Dragon.

Step 5: Neck and Head

Now let's make our neck and head. Take the other smaller half and cut out a 1/4th thick disk. Then make a cut diagonally at the top where it is slightly concave. This forms the top of the head and part of the beak. Then make another cut on the inside of the apple piece, which will create the underside of the beak. Then cut down the apple forming the neck. You can make it as long as you like. Trim the bottom as needed.

Step 6: Eyes

Take a seed and place it on the head, press down with your finger to make it stay, or use the flat side of your knife.

Step 7: Neck Slot

Now we need to create our slot where the neck will sit. On top of the body make two cuts straight down about 1 inch. The cuts should be in the middle and about 1/4 inch from each other. We want the slot to be the same width as our neck piece. Then make a slit across on top and on the bottom, and work out the little piece of apple. A thin knife or sculpting tool works well here.

Step 8: Done!

Now place that neck and you are done. Pretty easy right? :) Take one of these to your next party and you are sure to impress some people hahaha. :) Make sure to spray it with some lemon juice or something similar, this will help keep the apple from browning. Enjoy!

Step 9: Video Tutorial

Now watch those steps in action by checking out the video tutorial. :)