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Halloween Witch Finger Cookies

These witch finger cookies are crafted from a spicy, buttery dough shaped into twisted, finger-like forms with marbled fingernails, baked until golden and slightly cracked. Their irregular shapes and textured surfaces create a spooky, realistic appearance, perfect for Halloween celebrations.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • Pinch cloves ground
  • A few drops red food coloring for marbling fingernails
  • A few drops white food coloring for marbling fingernails

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small knife
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

  1. Cream the softened butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, and smells sweet and buttery.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
  3. Gradually mix in the sifted flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, stirring until a stiff dough forms that just comes together.
  4. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Color one portion with a few drops of red food coloring and swirl lightly with the uncolored dough to create a marbled effect.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  6. Take small pieces of dough and roll them into slender, finger-length shapes, about 3-4 inches long, twisting them slightly to mimic knuckles and crooked fingers.
  7. Use a small knife to gently score knuckle lines and create subtle cracks on the surface to give a realistic, aged look.
  8. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to prevent sticking as they expand slightly while baking.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and have cracked open in spots, revealing their spooky, finger-like appearance.
  10. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack; the surfaces will firm up to create a crunchy, textured exterior.
  11. Optionally, add tiny marbled, painted fingernails with a small brush using red and white food coloring for extra detail and creepiness.

Notes

For an extra creepy effect, slightly crack the surface before baking to enhance the gnarled appearance.