Spooky almond fingers: A Halloween treat that vanishes fast
Delicate and buttery almond cookies may sound innocent, but with a Halloween twist, they can become a delightfully sweet snack. Following my tip for combining the ingredients to ensure they hold their shape after baking.
9:29 AM EDT, October 30, 2024
What snacks should you prepare for Halloween? You can choose quick solutions that take a few minutes with a few gadgets or bake sweets from scratch using only a handful of ingredients. The cookies taste best fresh from the oven, but if stored in an airtight container, they'll still be delicious the next day.
The secret to shortbread dough
Witch fingers should melt in your mouth after baking, meaning the shortbread dough must be prepared perfectly. Achieving the right consistency depends on chilling the dough properly. It's best to refrigerate the wrapped dough ball for at least 30 minutes, though leaving it for about an hour is recommended.
Recipe for witch fingers
The base is a classic shortbread dough, with almonds and red fruit preserves as the additions. Use jams like cherry, strawberry, raspberry, or plum to enhance taste and aesthetic appeal. Here are the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 cup of softened butter
- 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of almond extract
- 2 2/3 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3/4 cup 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 powdered sugar in a separate bowl, then add the beaten egg. Mix these ingredients thoroughly.
- Combine this mixture with the dry ingredients. Knead the dough into a smooth mass, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it.
- After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator and shape it into fingers. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, 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 390°F for about 10 minutes.
- Once cooled, decorate the finished cookies with red or purple jam or preserves according to your taste.
