Spooky & Delicious: Witch Finger Cookies – A Halloween Treat!
Get ready for a frightfully fun baking experience with these Witch Finger Cookies! These aren’t your average cookies – they’re creepy, delicious, and perfect for Halloween. Imagine little shortbread cookies shaped like fingers, complete with almond “nails” and a touch of raspberry jam blood. They’re easy to make, incredibly fun to decorate, and will be the star of your Halloween party. Your kids will absolutely love helping you create these spooky snacks! This recipe is sure to become a Halloween tradition.
Why You’ll Love These Witch Finger Cookies – shortbread shaped like fingers with almond nails
- Spooky Fun: They’re wonderfully creepy and perfect for Halloween!
- Easy to Make: Even beginners can create these chilling treats.
- Kid-Friendly: Get the kids involved in shaping and decorating.
- Delicious Shortbread: Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread flavor.
- Perfect for Parties: A unique and eye-catching addition to any Halloween gathering.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with different extracts or toppings.
Ingredients for Witch Finger Cookies – shortbread shaped like fingers with almond nails
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole almonds
- ¼ cup raspberry jam, for decorating
Substitutions: For a vegan option, use vegan butter. For gluten-free, substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
How to Make Witch Finger Cookies – shortbread shaped like fingers with almond nails
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
- Add Almond Extract: Stir in the almond extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Fingers: Take a small amount of dough and roll it into a finger shape. Make it slightly thicker at the knuckle and thinner at the tip. Use a knife to make cuts for the knuckles.
- Add the Almond Nail: Gently press an almond onto the end of each finger to resemble a fingernail.
- Bake: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the “Blood”: Once the cookies are cool, gently press the almond nail slightly to create a small indent. Then, using a toothpick or small spoon, fill the indent with raspberry jam to resemble blood.
- Serve: Serve your creepy Witch Finger Cookies and enjoy!
Pro Tips & Variations
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will make the cookies dry. Keep a close eye on them.
- Almond Placement: For a more secure “nail,” lightly brush the back of the almond with a little egg white before attaching it to the cookie.
Variations:
- Vegan: Use vegan butter and flax egg replacer.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Extract Options: Try vanilla extract or lemon extract instead of almond.
Serving Suggestions
These Witch Finger Cookies are a spooktacular treat on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to make your Halloween even more memorable:
- Pair with Hot Chocolate: A warm cup of hot chocolate is the perfect cozy complement to these spooky snacks.
- Serve with Fresh Fruit: Add a healthy balance to your Halloween treats with a side of berries or grapes.
- Include them in a Halloween Dessert Platter: Arrange the Witch Finger Cookies around other Halloween candy and treats for a festive display.
- Alongside Pumpkin Soup: These cookies make a fun appetizer after a hearty bowl of pumpkin soup – a great option for spooky dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store these Witch Finger Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Make sure to fully cool them before storing.
Reheating: These cookies don’t typically need reheating. If they’ve been frozen, allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQ about Witch Finger Cookies – shortbread shaped like fingers with almond nails
Q: Can I make these Witch Finger Cookies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also bake cookies and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Waiting to add the raspberry jam until you are ready to serve will give the cookies the freshest look.
Q: What if I don’t have almond extract?
A: You can use vanilla extract or another flavor extract like lemon or orange. The almond extract enhances the “almond nail” flavor, but it’s not essential.
Q: Can I use different nuts for the fingernails?
A: Yes! Sliced almonds work best, but you could use other nuts like pecan halves or even chocolate chips for a different look.
Q: Are these Witch Finger Cookies good for Halloween food ideas for parties?
A: Definitely! These spooky snacks make a great addition to any Halloween gathering. They are perfect as part of your Halloween finger foods selections.
Final Thoughts on Witch Finger Cookies – shortbread shaped like fingers with almond nails
Ready to impress your friends and family with these delightfully creepy Witch Finger Cookies? They’re a guaranteed hit for Halloween, and they’re so easy to make that even beginner bakers can pull them off. Get the kids involved, get creative with the decorations, and have a spooktacular time! These Halloween-themed food treats will be the talk of the party.
Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for easy access next Halloween, leave a comment below to let me know how yours turned out, and subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious and spooky recipes!
Witch Finger Cookies
Equipment
- electric mixer,
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Knife
- Toothpick
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole almonds
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam for decorating
Instructions
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
- Add Almond Extract: Stir in the almond extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the Fingers: Take a small amount of dough and roll it into a finger shape. Make it slightly thicker at the knuckle and thinner at the tip. Use a knife to make cuts for the knuckles.
- Add the Almond Nail: Gently press an almond onto the end of each finger to resemble a fingernail.
- Bake: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add the “Blood”: Once the cookies are cool, gently press the almond nail slightly to create a small indent. Then, using a toothpick or small spoon, fill the indent with raspberry jam to resemble blood.
- Serve: Serve your creepy Witch Finger Cookies and enjoy!
