Description
These creepy witch finger cookies are buttery shortbread cookies shaped like fingers, tinted green, and topped with bloody almond nails for a spooky Halloween treat. They’re fun to make, delicious, and always a party favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (or ½ teaspoon if using salted butter)
- ¾ cup whole blanched almonds
- A few drops green food coloring
- 1 tube red decorator gel
Instructions
- Cream together butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract.
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a stiff dough forms.
- Mix in green food coloring until desired shade is reached.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough, roll into finger shapes, and press an almond into one end to form a nail.
- Pinch slightly to create knuckles and score lines with a paring knife or toothpick.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool for 3 minutes, lift almond nails, add red gel underneath, and press almonds back in place to create a “bloody” effect.
Notes
- Use raspberry jam instead of decorator gel for a fruity, natural look.
- Swap almonds for pumpkin seeds, jellybeans, or fondant for nut-free versions.
- Try different colors like purple or natural shortbread for variation.
- Dust cocoa powder on knuckles for extra creepy detail.
- Chill dough well before baking to prevent spreading.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 77
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
