Halloween witch finger cookies: A spooky shortbread delight
Delicate, buttery almond cookies may sound innocent, but if you give them a Halloween twist, they become an irresistibly sweet treat. To ensure they maintain their shape after baking, use my combined ingredients technique.
What snacks should you prepare for Halloween? You can choose quick options that take just 2 minutes using a few gadgets or make sweets from scratch with just a few ingredients. The cookies are best straight from the oven, but if stored in an airtight container, they'll remain delightful the following day.
The secret to shortbread dough
Witch fingers should melt in your mouth after baking, so the shortbread dough needs to be flawlessly made. Achieving the right consistency depends on the proper chilling time of the dough. Using the fridge and leaving the wrapped dough ball for at least 30 minutes is best, though an hour is recommended.
Recipe for witch fingers
The base is a classic shortbread dough, with just almonds and red fruit preserves added. Use jams like cherry, strawberry, raspberry, or plum to enhance their taste and appearance. To make the cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 225 grams of softened butter,
- 85 grams of icing sugar,
- 1 egg,
- 1 teaspoon of almond extract,
- 335 grams of flour,
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder,
- 1 teaspoon of salt,
- 110 grams of whole almonds,
- plum preserves or other red fruit preserves.
Preparation:
- Sift the flour and combine it with the baking powder and salt.
- Cream the butter with the icing sugar in a separate bowl, then add the beaten egg. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
- Next, combine this mixture with the dry ingredients. Knead the dough into a smooth mass, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate it.
- After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge and shape it into fingers. Arrange them on a baking tray lined with parchment, remembering that the cookies will expand slightly while baking. Place almonds at the end of each finger to mimic nails by dipping the underside in preserves and gently adhering them.
- Use a small knife to make cuts at the bends to give them a realistic appearance. Bake in an oven preheated to 200°C for about 10 minutes.
- Once cooled, decorate the finished cookies with red or purple jam or preserves according to your taste.
