This is an Oct. 31, 2008 re-post from my old Blog, "Hoosier Roots." It's just too fun not to mention again.
"Oh, the rats and bats and witches
keep the skeletons in stitches
as they sip their spider cider
in the haunt-ed house!"
About seven or eight years ago, right around Halloween, my husband brought home a recipe clipped from a newspaper at his work. He thought it was really cool and wondered if I would make it. So, I took a look. Who would've thought these cookies would become a Halloween tradition in our little family? We just HAVE to make them every year! Everyone is thrilled with them; kids adore them. I now think they have come to be EXPECTED. I'll share the recipe with you and maybe, just maybe you'll have a Halloween tradition on your "hands" as well.
Witch Finger Cookies
(if you are wondering, they are like almond shortbread)
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 t. almond extract (I used coconut extract and think it's even BETTER)
1 t. vanilla
2 3/4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
a few drops green food coloring
slivered almonds (you can use whole or pistachios too, but I like the "claw" look)
1 tube red decorator gel (or you can color a little corn syrup colored red - cheaper if you have it on hand already)
In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, vanilla and green food coloring. Beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover (or wrap) and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Roll heaping teaspoons of dough one at a time into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into one end for nail. Squeeze fingers in center to create knuckle shape (I find that when you roll these between your hands, the knuckle sort of creates itself.)
Using a paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet in 325 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale or lightly golden. (you don't want to brown these so watch carefully)
Let cool for 3 minutes, lift up almond; squeeze red gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place so gel oozes out from underneath. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Makes a few dozen, depending oh now big you make them.
"When the night is dark and scary
when the moon is full
and the creatures are a flying
and the wind goes WOOOOOO,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about
or the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!"
- James Whitcomb Riley
"Oh, the rats and bats and witches
keep the skeletons in stitches
as they sip their spider cider
in the haunt-ed house!"
About seven or eight years ago, right around Halloween, my husband brought home a recipe clipped from a newspaper at his work. He thought it was really cool and wondered if I would make it. So, I took a look. Who would've thought these cookies would become a Halloween tradition in our little family? We just HAVE to make them every year! Everyone is thrilled with them; kids adore them. I now think they have come to be EXPECTED. I'll share the recipe with you and maybe, just maybe you'll have a Halloween tradition on your "hands" as well.
Witch Finger Cookies(if you are wondering, they are like almond shortbread)
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 t. almond extract (I used coconut extract and think it's even BETTER)
1 t. vanilla
2 3/4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
a few drops green food coloring
slivered almonds (you can use whole or pistachios too, but I like the "claw" look)
1 tube red decorator gel (or you can color a little corn syrup colored red - cheaper if you have it on hand already)
In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, vanilla and green food coloring. Beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover (or wrap) and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Roll heaping teaspoons of dough one at a time into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into one end for nail. Squeeze fingers in center to create knuckle shape (I find that when you roll these between your hands, the knuckle sort of creates itself.)
Using a paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet in 325 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale or lightly golden. (you don't want to brown these so watch carefully)
Let cool for 3 minutes, lift up almond; squeeze red gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place so gel oozes out from underneath. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Makes a few dozen, depending oh now big you make them.
BOO!! Adding a few of these Nutter Butter Ghosts to your cookie tray really gets everyone in the "spirit." Simple, quick, even the kids can do them!
Nutter Butter Ghosts
(these are not so cheap because Nutter Butters are a bit on the pricey side - fun regardless)
Nutter Butter Cookies
Almond Bark, melted
Chocolate chips/mini chocolate chips/sprinkles/mini M&M's
(whatever you have on hand to make a face)
Melt the bark, dip the cookie 3/4 of the way in, place on wax paper. Add face design while bark is still wet. Let dry and eat!
Nutter Butter Ghosts
(these are not so cheap because Nutter Butters are a bit on the pricey side - fun regardless)
Nutter Butter Cookies
Almond Bark, melted
Chocolate chips/mini chocolate chips/sprinkles/mini M&M's
(whatever you have on hand to make a face)
Melt the bark, dip the cookie 3/4 of the way in, place on wax paper. Add face design while bark is still wet. Let dry and eat!
"When the night is dark and scary
when the moon is full
and the creatures are a flying
and the wind goes WOOOOOO,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about
or the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!"
- James Whitcomb Riley
2 comments:
What fun! Those look great! Thanks for joining in the fun at Fri Favorites!
~Liz
Oh my gosh those fingers!!!!! And the ghosts are too cute.
Steph
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