Crispy Witch Finger Shortbread Cookies with Jam Blood
These crispy witch finger shortbread cookies are a spooky and delicious Halloween treat featuring buttery, golden shortbread shaped like gnarly witch fingers with almond nails and raspberry jam ‘blood’. Perfect for parties and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- About 24 whole almonds, sliced lengthwise
- 1/2 cup (160 grams) raspberry jam
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat 2 sticks (225g) of softened unsalted butter and 3/4 cup (90g) powdered sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add extracts: Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 1/4 cups (280g) sifted all-purpose flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. If dough is crumbly, add 1 teaspoon milk.
- Shape the fingers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop about 1 tablespoon (15g) of dough for each finger. Roll into a finger shape about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, tapering slightly at one end. Pinch at knuckles to create bumps, then use a fork or toothpick to make shallow lines for wrinkles.
- Add almond nails: Press a sliced almond gently onto the tapered end of each finger to mimic a nail.
- Bake the fingers: Arrange fingers on parchment-lined baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown and cookies feel firm.
- Apply jam blood: Remove cookies from oven and cool on tray for 5 minutes. Dab raspberry jam around almond nails and knuckle crevices using a small spoon or piping bag. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
Use softened butter at room temperature (30-45 minutes) for best creaming results. Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid tough cookies. Chill dough 10-15 minutes if too soft to shape. Apply jam while cookies are slightly warm for best blood effect. Press almond nails gently to avoid cracking dough. Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze shaped unbaked dough for up to one month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
Keywords: Halloween cookies, witch finger cookies, shortbread cookies, spooky treats, raspberry jam cookies, almond cookies, Halloween dessert