Halloween Witch Fingers Recipes

SPOOKY WITCHES' FINGERS

Steps:

• Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
• Remove dough from refrigerator in small amounts. Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of waxed paper. Use the waxed paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped cookie. Press one almond into one end of each cookie to give the appearance of a long fingernail. Squeeze cookie near the tip and again near the center of each to give the impression of knuckles. You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance. Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are slightly golden in color, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the almond from the end of each cookie; squeeze a small amount of red decorating gel into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the gel to ooze out around the tip of the cookie.

WITCHES' FINGERS RECIPE

Steps:

• Using a food processor, beat the butter and sugar until pale. Add the egg and vanilla, and whisk again. Sift in the flour and baking powder, and mix to form a soft dough. Chill for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 180C, gas 4. Divide the dough into 45 and roll each piece into a finger shape. Press the back of a knife into the dough to make knuckles. Lightly press an almond where the nail would be. Put on lined baking trays and chill for 30 mins. Bake for 10-12 mins until pale golden.
• Once cooled, spoon a little jam onto the nail base and top with an almond.

LADIES' FINGERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper, and set aside.
• Place food coloring in a shallow bowl. Using a small paintbrush, color one rounded half of each almond. Set aside to dry.
• Separate 1 egg. Set aside the white. In a small bowl, whisk together yolk, remaining egg, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add egg mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough in half. Work with one piece at a time, keeping remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and chilled. Divide the first half into 15 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes, 3 to 4 inches long. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Score each knuckle lightly with the back of a small knife. Transfer fingers to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
• When all fingers are formed, brush lightly with egg white. Position almond nails; push into dough to attach.
• Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.

HALLOWEEN TREATS & DRINKS

Steps:

• For the freaky fingers, place the first five ingredients and a pinch of salt in a food processor and whizz just until a ball of dough forms. Tear off a golfball-size piece of dough and use your hands to roll into finger-size cylinders - you should get about 20. Place on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment - a little apart as they will spread during baking. Use a knife to make a few cuts, close together, for the knuckles. Place an almond at the end of each finger and trim away excess pastry around the edge to neaten. Place in the fridge for 30 mins, heat oven to 180C/ 160C fan/ gas 4, then bake for 10-12 mins just until firm. Leave to cool a little, then paint the almond with food colouring, if you like. Makes 20.
• For the brainballs, place the popping corn and vegetable oil in a large pan set over a medium heat. Stir the kernels around the pan to coat in the oil. When the kernels starts to pop, place a lid firmly on top and turn the heat down to low. Cook, shaking the pan often to stop the popcorn burning or sticking, until the corn has stopped popping, about 5 mins. Tip into a bowl, discarding any unopened kernels. Heat butter and marshmallows over a low heat until melted. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated. Lightly rub oil over your hands and shape the popcorn into small balls. Set aside on a tray lined with baking parchment and leave to set. Makes 10.
• For the bloodthirsty squash, fill up a kitchen glove with water, secure the end with a freezer clip or rubber band and place in the freezer overnight. When ready to serve, stir together 1 litre each lemonade and cranberry juice with the juice 3-4 limes. Pour into a punch bowl. Remove the hand from the freezer and use scissors to carefully take off the glove. Place in the punch bowl and serve. Serves 10.

SPOOKY WITCH FINGER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl mix together the butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
• Stir in salt, baking powder, and flour and mix until combined well.
• Add in green food coloring until you get the color you desire.
• Leave dough in the mixing bowl and cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for about 20 minutes.
• Remove from fridge and roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls.
• Then roll each ball into a finger shape about 4-5 inches long. Press an almond into the end of each finger. Using a toothpick make indentations to resemble creases in the fingers where knuckles would be.
• Place fingers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until set. You don't want to overcook these cookies or they will dry out and break easily.
• Cool completely before adding the gel. When cooled, remove the almond and place a little red gel at the base of the nail bed and then replace the almond. Press so that the gel shows around the nail.
• You can also add gel or jam to the end of the finger or you can leave them the way they are.
• These witch fingers are so delicious dipped in jam.