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Witch Finger Cookies with Almond Nails: Easy Halloween Treat

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These creepy yet delicious witch finger cookies are made with buttery shortbread dough, shaped like gnarled fingers, and topped with almond fingernails. Perfect for Halloween parties, they’re quick to make and guaranteed to get a reaction.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Green gel food coloring (e.g., Americolor or Wilton)
  • 30 whole blanched almonds
  • Red jam or jelly (raspberry or strawberry, seedless)

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
  2. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Add the food coloring: Drop in 8-10 drops of green gel food coloring and mix on low until evenly distributed. Adjust for a swampy, mossy green.
  4. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture in two batches, mixing on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat the oven: Set oven to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Shape the fingers: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a 3-inch cylinder, tapering one end. Place on baking sheet. Press an indentation at the tip for the nail. Use a sharp knife to score 2-3 light lines across the middle for knuckles.
  8. Add the almond nails: Press one whole blanched almond into the indentation at the tip, pointy end outward. Gently press dough around the base of the almond.
  9. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set but not browned. Bottoms should be just barely golden.
  10. Cool and decorate: Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While slightly warm, dab a tiny bit of red jam at the base of each almond nail with a toothpick.

Notes

Don’t skip chilling the dough—it’s essential for shaping. Use a light touch when scoring knuckles; they will deepen as cookies bake. Press almonds firmly into dough to prevent them from falling off. Watch baking time closely; overbaking makes cookies dry and nails may pop off. For best results, serve at room temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cookies, witch finger cookies, shortbread cookies, almond cookies, spooky treats, easy Halloween recipe, creepy cookies

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/witch-finger-cookies-with-almond-nails-easy-halloween-treat/