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Witch Finger Cookies

Witch Finger Cookies are almond-flavored, crumbly cookies shaped to resemble gnarled, spooky fingers. They are baked until golden, with realistic almond nail details and an unsettling, flaky texture that enhances their creepy appearance. Often decorated with red jam or icing to simulate blood, they add a fun, eerie touch to Halloween treats.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 80
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 24 pieces almond slices for nails
  • 24 teaspoons red fruit jam for blood effect

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Cream the softened butter and confectioners' sugar together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, with a pale color and a slightly airy texture.
  2. Stir in vanilla extract for added flavor, blending it well into the butter-sugar mixture.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together sifted flour, almond meal, and a pinch of salt to combine evenly.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding them together until a crumbly dough begins to form.
  5. Using your hands, gently knead the dough in the bowl until it comes together into a firm, but workable, mass. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to relax.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and divide it into small portions. Roll each into a thin, elongated finger shape, tapering the ends slightly for a more gnarled look.
  8. Place each shaped finger on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  9. Press an almond slice into the top of each finger to resemble a creepy fingernail.
  10. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and slightly cracked.
  11. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  12. Use the red fruit jam to carefully add small drops around the knuckles or the base of the fingernails for a bloody effect, creating a spooky, bloodied appearance.

Notes

For extra creepiness, dust the fingers lightly with powdered sugar or a dusting of cocoa powder before decorating.