Creepy Witch Finger Cookies (Printable Version)

Spooky almond cookies shaped like witch fingers with red jelly detailing for a creepy Halloween dessert.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
05 - ½ tsp almond extract
06 - 2 ¾ cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking powder
08 - ½ tsp salt

→ Decoration

09 - 24 whole blanched almonds
10 - Red gel food coloring or strawberry jam

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
03 - Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until dough forms.
06 - Roll about 1 tablespoon of dough into a finger shape, 3-4 inches long. Use a knife to create knuckle lines and press a blanched almond at one end for the fingernail.
07 - Place shaped fingers on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden.
08 - Remove almonds carefully, apply red food coloring or jam to the fingernail bed, and press almonds back into place.
09 - Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The buttery almond flavor is addictive enough that you will eat the failed ones before they even make it to the serving plate
  • Watching peoples faces when they realize what they are looking at never gets old
02 -
  • Work quickly when shaping the dough because the butter starts to soften from your hands heat and the fingers will lose their definition
  • The almonds will loosen slightly during baking so press them back in firmly when applying the red coloring
03 -
  • Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it becomes too soft to work with while shaping
  • Use the back of a knife to create three horizontal knuckle lines rather than just pressing random marks

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