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Witch Finger Cookies

Witch Finger Cookies are crafted from a simple sugar cookie dough, shaped into elongated, irregular fingers, and baked until they crack and resemble gnarled, creepy fingers. The final cookies have a firm, crumbly texture with cracked surfaces and are often decorated with almond nails and dusted with edible dust to enhance their eerie appearance.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup blanched almonds for nails
  • optional edible dust or powdered sugar for dusting

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and pale, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat again until well combined and smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together and is slightly sticky but manageable.
  5. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to shape.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Remove the dough from the fridge and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long, thin finger shape, about 4-5 inches long, tapering at one end to resemble a fingernail.
  8. Place the shaped fingers on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out to allow for cracking and spreading.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown and cracking appears on the surface.
  10. While the cookies are still warm, gently press a blanched almond into the top of each finger as a fingernail, and if desired, dust with edible dust or powdered sugar for a ghostly effect.
  11. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. The finished cookies are crunchy with a cracked, gnarled appearance and spooky almond fingernails.

Notes

For extra creepy effect, use red food coloring to tint the almonds or add a dab of red icing to simulate blood around the fingernails.