Witch Finger Cookies

Every Halloween, I look forward to creating spooky treats, and there’s nothing I love more than making Witch Finger Cookies. These delightfully creepy cookies are always a hit at the Halloween party. I can still remember the first time I baked them, the anticipation in the kitchen as we shaped the dough into eerie fingers. My friends’ expressions when they saw these ghastly delights were priceless! Each cookie is made to look like a witch’s finger, complete with a blanched almond for the nail and a splash of red gel to add to the horror. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that brings everyone together, making it an essential part of our Halloween tradition. Plus, the buttery goodness of these cookies paired with the sweetness of the red gel and the crunch of the almond creates a flavor that’s simply irresistible, even among the spooky vibes. They also make a great conversation starter! Whether you’re hosting a Halloween gathering or just looking to get into the spirit of the season, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

What to Buy for Witch Finger Cookies

Making Witch Finger Cookies is an experience that starts with gathering the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating these deliciously spooky treats. The combination of ingredients works in harmony to create a uniquely flavored cookie, while the decorative elements bring them to life. Let’s explore what you’ll need for this frightfully fun recipe!

• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter at room temperature: The base of your cookies. It adds richness and a tender crumb.
• 1 cup powdered sugar: This sweetens the cookies and contributes to their soft texture.
• 1 large egg: This helps bind the ingredients and adds moisture.
• 1 teaspoon almond extract: This gives a lovely nutty flavor that complements the cookies beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth and enhances the sweetness of the cookies.
• 2⅔ cups all-purpose flour: The primary structure of your cookies, giving them their shape.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
• ¾ cup whole blanched almonds: These serve as the creepy nails for each witch finger!
• 1 tube red decorator gel: The finishing touch, adding a horrifying yet delicious look to your cookies.

Making This Witch Finger Cookies

Creating Witch Finger Cookies is a fun process that blends baking with creativity. You’ll love how each step brings you closer to finishing these spooky delights! Here’s how to bring these cookies to life:

1. Begin by gathering all your ingredients. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, powdered sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about three to five minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a nice lift.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Beat just until moistened. It’s essential not to overmix at this stage; you want to keep the dough tender.
3. Once combined, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about thirty minutes. Chilling the dough will make it easier to shape later on and prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
4. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking. The right temperature is key to achieving a perfectly baked cookie!
5. After the dough has chilled, take a quarter of it out of the refrigerator. Working with a heaping teaspoonful, roll the dough into a finger shape. Aim for about four inches in length. Press a blanched almond firmly into one end of each ‘finger’ to create a nail.
6. Next, create a knuckle shape by gently squeezing the center of the dough. Use a small knife to make slashes in several places to replicate the look of knuckles. This adds to the spooky effect and makes each cookie unique!
7. Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, giving them enough space to spread. Bake them for twenty to twenty-five minutes, or until they are pale golden. They should not be overly brown.
8. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheets for about three minutes. This allows them to set slightly before moving them. Be careful as they will be soft!
9. After cooling briefly, lift the almond and squeeze some red decorator gel onto the nail bed before pressing the almond back in place. Ensure some gel oozes out for that eerie effect. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also make additional slashes in the fingers and fill them with more gel to create a ‘bloody’ look.
10. Finally, remove the cookies from the baking sheets and let them cool completely on wire racks. This will help the gel set properly.

Tips and Tricks about Witch Finger Cookies

Creating spooky Witch Finger Cookies is as much about the process as it is about the result. Here are some tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly:

• Storage: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked shaped cookies for up to three months. Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different extracts, like hazelnut or coconut, for different flavor profiles!
• Presentation: For a more dramatic look, you can use edible glitter or candy eyes to decorate your cookies.
• Serving occasions: These cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or any gathering where you want to add a spooky touch!
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Pairing Suggestions for Witch Finger Cookies

When you’re serving Witch Finger Cookies, consider how to enhance the spooky experience. Here are some ideas:

• Pair with hot cider: A warm glass of cider complements the cookies beautifully, adding to the fall vibes.
• Spooky-themed party: Serve these cookies at a Halloween party along with other themed treats like pumpkin spice cupcakes or gummy worms.
• Ideal for school events: School Halloween parties are the perfect occasion to showcase your cookie-making skills!
• Great for gifting: Wrap them in themed packaging for a fun and spooky gift, perfect for friends and family.
• Seasonal decor: Create a spooky dessert table with Halloween decorations and serve these cookies as the centerpiece!
• Cool drink pairings: Consider serving with a chilled drink like blood orange soda for a refreshing contrast.

FAQ

Conclusion

Witch Finger Cookies are the perfect blend of creepy and delicious, making them a must-have for your Halloween festivities. Their unique appearance combined with buttery goodness creates a memorable treat. I encourage you to try making these cookies for your next gathering or simply for fun. Trust me, they will be a hit with everyone, and you’ll create lasting memories in the kitchen along the way.

Witch Finger Cookies

Craving something spooky and sweet? Try these Witch Finger Cookies! Perfectly buttery with a delightful crunch, they’re shaped to look like ghoulish fingers. Ideal for Halloween, these cookies are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. Make them tonight for an eerie treat!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Servings 60 cookies

Calories 110 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• Whisk
• Mixing Bowl
• Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Butter at room temperature
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2⅔ cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ¾ cup Whole Blanched Almonds
• 1 tube Red Decorator Gel

Instructions

 

• Begin by gathering all your ingredients. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter, powdered sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about three to five minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a nice lift.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Beat just until moistened. It’s essential not to overmix at this stage; you want to keep the dough tender.
• Once combined, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about thirty minutes. Chilling the dough will make it easier to shape later on and prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
• Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking. The right temperature is key to achieving a perfectly baked cookie!
• After the dough has chilled, take a quarter of it out of the refrigerator. Working with a heaping teaspoonful, roll the dough into a finger shape. Aim for about four inches in length. Press a blanched almond firmly into one end of each 'finger' to create a nail.
• Next, create a knuckle shape by gently squeezing the center of the dough. Use a small knife to make slashes in several places to replicate the look of knuckles. This adds to the spooky effect and makes each cookie unique!
• Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, giving them enough space to spread. Bake them for twenty to twenty-five minutes, or until they are pale golden. They should not be overly brown.
• Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheets for about three minutes. This allows them to set slightly before moving them. Be careful as they will be soft!
• After cooling briefly, lift the almond and squeeze some red decorator gel onto the nail bed before pressing the almond back in place. Ensure some gel oozes out for that eerie effect. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also make additional slashes in the fingers and fill them with more gel to create a 'bloody' look.
• Finally, remove the cookies from the baking sheets and let them cool completely on wire racks. This will help the gel set properly.

Notes

• Storage: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked shaped cookies for up to three months. Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different extracts, like hazelnut or coconut, for different flavor profiles!
• Presentation: For a more dramatic look, you can use edible glitter or candy eyes to decorate your cookies.
• Serving occasions: These cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or any gathering where you want to add a spooky touch!
• Make-ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Keyword Easy Halloween Recipes, Halloween cookies, spooky treats, Witch Finger Cookies

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Meet Bella Banks

I’m the one who makes sure we’re having fun while we work. I love the communal aspect of cooking seven friends in a kitchen can be chaotic, but it’s the best kind of chaos! I cook everything alongside the girls, and I’m often the one setting the table and making sure the “vibe” is right for our photos. I believe that any recipe, no matter how simple or complex, is a celebration.