- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.9 × 3.8 in (9.9 × 9.5 cm)
This cozy apple pie paper squishy features a golden-brown woven lattice crust, glossy spiced apple slices peeking through, and a sweet smiling face right in the center. Download the free printable template in US Letter or A4 to get 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our pumpkin pie paper squishy or cinnamon roll paper squishy to build a cute fall bakery collection!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your pie template at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the scale line in the top corner: it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, shade the lattice crust in toasted golden browns and the apple filling in warm reds, then let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape over the 2 pie pieces only, rather than taping the entire page. Smooth each strip from the smiling center out toward the wavy crust without pulling—stretched tape will wrinkle later. This glossy layer makes the baked apple design shine, keeps the paper strong, and makes it extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back pie pieces along the solid black outer line. Take your time steering the scissors around the gentle scalloped curves of the pie tin rim, and keep the small white border intact all the way around.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back pie piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the wavy outline, then snip this border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper edge. These little flaps will hold your round pie squishy together.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white paper sides together. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the scalloped edge of the front one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4 cm (1½ inch) gap open along one side (the pink line in the picture shows where) for the stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them in through the open gap. Fill the far curves of the round crust first, then work toward the center until the pie feels soft and puffy—stop before you add too much stuffing so the seams do not pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the opening and tape the gap shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger all the way along the wavy edges to press the tape down well.
8Squish!
Your cozy bakery treat is done! Squeeze the lattice top of your squishy and watch it puff right back up. If you want a slow-rising squishy, prick one tiny pinhole into the back of the pie.
Free Apple Pie Squishy Template
- Color
- Coloring page
- Blank, design your own
- Step-by-step guide
One free PDF: the template in three versions (pages 1–3) and the step-by-step guide (pages 4–5). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- The round pie feels hard. You packed a bit too much filling inside. Gently peel open the stuffing gap, take some fluff out, and tape the edge shut again.
- Tape wrinkles over the lattice. Use shorter strips of packing tape and lay them across the pie without pulling before smoothing them outward.
- A scalloped edge splits open. Put a new short strip of regular clear tape right across the split curve, overlapping the old tape flaps.
- Crust and apple colors smeared. Always let marker ink dry fully before laying tape over the coloring page; printer ink is fine to tape right away.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for a bakery paper squishy?
Not for the edges, because glue does not stick to tape-covered paper and the seams would open. Folding the snipped tape border over the scalloped rim holds your pie together best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy template bakery craft?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best. Cardstock makes the round pie too stiff, so it will not squish as nicely.
What can I stuff my apple pie paper squishy with?
You can use plastic grocery bags for a crinkly and light feel, cotton balls or fiberfill for a soft pillow, or small pieces of memory foam for a slow-rising squishy.
Can I make this pie squishy bigger?
Yes! Print the template page at a larger scale, such as 120%, and print both the front and back together on the same sheet so the halves match.
Can I make these bakery squishies with a class or group?
Yes, just print one sheet per person and cut the tape strips in advance. Kids can color the apple pie coloring page while you help with taping—plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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