Witch Finger Cookies
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.
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!
Notes
For substitutions, use vegan butter for a vegan option and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free option. Try vanilla or lemon extract instead of almond for different flavor variations. Brush the back of the almond with egg white to secure nails better.