Creepy Witch Finger Cookies (Print Version)
Spooky almond-flavored cookies shaped like witch fingers with bloody fingernails. A fun Halloween treat that's frightfully delicious.
# What You Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - ½ teaspoon almond extract
06 - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
→ Decoration
09 - 24 whole blanched almonds
10 - Red gel food coloring or strawberry jam for blood effect
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. 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 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 - Scoop about 1 tablespoon dough and roll between hands into finger shape, 3–4 inches long. Use knife to create knuckle lines and press blanched almond at one end for fingernail.
07 - Place shaped fingers on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 18–20 minutes until lightly golden.
08 - Remove almonds, apply red food coloring or jam to fingernail bed, and press almonds back in place.
09 - Transfer cookies to wire rack and allow to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're the perfect balance of creepy and delicious, guaranteeing double takes from every guest
- The almond vanilla flavor is sophisticated enough that adults love them just as much as kids
02 -
- Working with chilled dough makes it much easier to shape realistic looking fingers
- The knuckle details are what sell the effect so take your time making them look convincing
03 -
- Chilling the shaped dough for 15 minutes before baking helps maintain those creepy knuckle details
- Strawberry jam creates a more realistic bloody look than plain food coloring