Witch Finger Cookies Recipe
Witch Finger Cookies are spooky, buttery treats shaped like eerie fingers, perfect for Halloween. With a crisp texture and a touch of almond flavor, these cookies look frighteningly realistic, complete with "bloody" nails made from almonds and jam. They're fun to make and even more fun to eat!
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
- Waxed paper
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- seedless strawberry jam or red decorating gel, as needed
- ¾ cup whole almonds
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Place softened butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt, beating continuously until combined.
- Refrigerate the dough for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and lightly grease the baking sheets.
- Remove small portions of dough from the refrigerator, scooping 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto waxed paper.
- Roll the dough into thin finger shapes using the waxed paper, then press an almond into one end to resemble a fingernail.
- Pinch the dough near the tip and center to form knuckles, using a sharp knife to add lines for a more realistic appearance.
- Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets and bake until slightly golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove the almond from each cookie’s tip, add a small amount of jam or red decorating gel into the cavity, and reattach the almond so the jam oozes out around the tip.
Notes
- For extra realism, lightly dust the cookies with cocoa powder before baking to give them a "dirty" look.
- If the dough becomes too soft while shaping, chill it again for a few minutes to make handling easier.
- Use blanched almonds for a more bone-like nail appearance, or color them with food dye for added creepiness.