Description
Witch Finger Cookies are spooky, fun-to-make treats perfect for Halloween. These almond-flavored sugar cookies are shaped like eerie fingers, complete with painted red almond ‘fingernails’ and knuckle details. Crisp on the edges yet tender inside, they’re a fantastic festive dessert that brings a creepy charm to your holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Almond Fingernails
- 48 whole blanched almonds
- 2 tsp red gel food coloring
Cookie Dough
- 8 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 8 oz powdered sugar (2 cups)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp almond extract
- 15 oz all-purpose flour (3.5 cups)
- 2.5 oz almond flour (¾ cup)
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Paint the Almonds: Use a small food-safe paintbrush to carefully apply red gel food coloring onto the top of each blanched almond, mimicking fingernails.
- Dry the Almonds: Place the painted almonds on a paper towel and allow them to dry completely. This step can be done a few days ahead to save time.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a uniform dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll walnut-sized portions of dough into long, thin snakes resembling fingers. Place them on the prepared baking sheets. Press your finger lightly along the length to create knuckle indentations and use a toothpick to add lines above and below the knuckles for added detail.
- Add the Fingernail: Press one of the painted red almonds firmly onto one end of each cookie to mimic a fingernail.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the cookies remain pale. Let them cool completely on the baking sheets before serving.
Notes
- Using blanched almonds ensures a smooth surface for painting the red ‘fingernails.’
- Red gel food coloring works best for vivid, long-lasting color on the almonds.
- Shaping the dough snakes with knuckle indentations adds a realistic touch to the creepy fingers.
- Allow the cookies to cool fully on the baking sheets to avoid breakage when moving.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- You can prepare and paint the almond fingernails several days in advance for convenience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
