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Spooky Witch Finger Cookies with Red Jam Nails

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These Spooky Witch Finger Cookies with Red Jam Nails are a quick and easy Halloween treat that looks genuinely unsettling. Made with buttery shortbread dough and almond sliver fingernails coated in glossy red jam, they come together in about 30 minutes and are perfect for parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • Whole blanched almonds or almond slivers (for fingernails)
  • Red jam or jelly (strawberry, raspberry, or cherry)
  • Green or purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined. If using food coloring, add it now.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  5. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a log shape about 3 inches long. Place on prepared baking sheet. Taper one end to look like a fingertip, leaving the other end thicker. Use the back of a butter knife to create knuckle indentations.
  6. Press an almond sliver into the tapered end of each finger, angled slightly upward like a real fingernail.
  7. Use the tip of a toothpick to draw tiny lines across the knuckles and along the sides of the fingers for wrinkles. Press around the nail to create a cuticle effect.
  8. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until set and edges are just barely golden. Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  9. While still warm, spread a thin layer of red jam over the almond sliver. Let cool completely before serving.

Notes

Keep hands cool to prevent dough from spreading. Don’t skip the almond extract for the signature flavor. Vary finger shapes for realism. Check cookies at 11 minutes if oven runs hot. If jam is too thick, microwave for 10 seconds before applying.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cookies, witch finger cookies, shortbread cookies, spooky cookies, easy Halloween dessert, 30-minute recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/spooky-witch-finger-cookies-with-red-jam-nails-easy-30-minute-recipe/