Crimson Desert Golden Apple Guide: How to Find and Use Golden Apples

Golden Apples are one of slightly odder items in Crimson Desert but once you know how they work, you'll realise they hold a lot of value. They can't be found on trees, they can't be bought, and the game barely explains them. What you can do with them however, is craft them into Gold Bars worth 500 Silver, making them a solid money-making tool once you have a reliable farming loop going.

What Are Golden Apples Used For?

Golden Apples have one main use: for crafting Gold Bars at a Witch's shop that you first meet in Chapter 5.

The recipe is simple:

• 1x Golden Apple + 3x Gold Ore = 1x Gold Bar

Take the resulting Gold Bar to any Bank in Pywel and exchange it for 500 Silver. Selling to a regular merchant only nets 190 Silver, so always use the bank. For more on Silver farming, see our Silver Farming Guide.

You'll need to unlock this recipe first; it's found at a Witch's Hideout in Pailune. Fast travel to the Abyss Nexus on Pailune's main road and look for Elowen. Once unlocked, any Witch NPC's shop will have the recipe available under Craft Abyss Gears.

Where to Find Golden Apples

Golden Apples grow on invisible trees; only hedgehogs can see them. When a hedgehog is carrying one, you'll spot a glimmering light on its back. That's your target.

The most reliable farming spot is Grey Rock Dock, located northwest of Demeniss along the river line. Position yourself near the Grey Rock Quarry outpost; hedgehogs tend to spawn consistently here, and the open terrain makes them easy to track.

You can also get a single Golden Apple by building trust with certain Witch NPCs to 100. At least one Witch in the first Hernand quarry is known to reward you with one. It's not a farming method, but it's a good way to get your first one early.

How to Farm Golden Apples

Here's the farming loop:

1. Head to Grey Rock Dock: Northwest of Demeniss, along the river that borders Hernand and Demeniss. The location sits almost in the middle of the triangle between those two zones and Pailune.
2. Time your visit: hedgehogs spawn any time, but the 16:00 > 00:00 in-game window seems to be most reliable.
3. Trigger spawns: By running back and forth up the path from the last house heading towards the quarry, then running back as you hit the rock. Loop around it and run back down to the house with the pumpkins outside and repeat. They usually appear outside the house near the road. If none appear, keep moving through the area to cycle spawns.
4. Spot the glimmer: Look for the sparkling light on a hedgehog's back, not at the trees.
5. Knock it off: Shoot the Golden Apple with your bow to knock it loose. You can pick the hedgehog up and drop it to briefly stun it and make the shot easier.
6. Put your Mask on: Before picking up the apple, equip your Mask as looting it counts as theft, so you need one equipped to interact with it.
7. Get outta there: Immediately leave the red zone to avoid a bounty.

Note: This area contains two "Strongholds" in the Dock itself and the nearby Quarry. Clearing these out is very simple and will allow you to farm without getting attacked.

Repeat the loop, then head to a Witch's shop to craft your Gold Bars.

Pro Tip: Keep a stock of Gold Ore on hand before you start farming so you can craft Gold Bars immediately after each run rather than making a separate trip. Gold Ore is found in mines across Hernand and Demeniss. The Anvil Hill mine in southwest Demeniss is a reliable source.

Golden Apple Recipe Location

To actually craft the Gold Bar, you will need the crafting recipe. Once you have been to Pailune in the northern area of Hernand, head south of the city, and you'll find a Witch's Hideout. In here, go to the alchemy station, and you'll find the recipe there, alongside one for Herbal Tea.

Once you have that, you can go to the Witch's Hut in the Witchwoods from Chapter 5. Once you have the Gold Bar, take it to the bank in Hernand and either use it for investment to earn more Silver, or you can sell it to the Banker.

Golden Apple at a Glance

Happy Apple hunting!

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