SHORTBREAD WITCHES' FINGERS

(5 Dozen)

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup whole almonds, blanched
• 1 tube red decoration gel, optional

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, egg and extracts. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Working with one quarter of the dough at a time, and keeping the remainder in the refrigerator, roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a finger shape for each cookie. Press one almond firmly into one end for the nail. On the opposite end of the "finger," use a knife to create a flat edge to give the impression that the finger was cut off from the hand. Make two indentations to form the knuckle shape. Use a paring knife to make slashes for the knuckle. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for 20 - 25 minutes, or until pale golden.
Option: After the cookies are baked and cooled, carefully remove the almond "nail" and place some red gel on the "fingertip," then reapply the nail.

<< Back to all recipes