The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
These Witch Finger Cookies are just as fun to make as they are to eat! Grab the kids because they will love helping you make these Halloween cookies!
It costs $4.40 to make this cookie recipe. The recipe yields forty-five cookies which are only $0.10 per cookie.
For more Halloween-themed recipes, try our Witches’ Brew Halloween Drink and our Halloween Snack Mix.
This recipe is just as tasty as it is creepy! The buttery shortbread cookies that look just like the fingers of a witch are the perfect addition to any Halloween spread. Adults love them just as much as your little gremlins.
Your kiddos will love helping you make these cookies. We use green food coloring to complete the look of a witch’s finger.
They are bewitching finger food that is great for an after-school snack during Halloween time, a potluck, or a Halloween party. The cookies have a hint of almond in them that we love.
They are slightly crisp on the edges and melt in your mouth, making them irresistible. Even our kiddos who say they do not like almonds love these cookies!
We think the spooky “blood” under the “fingernail” attracts them to this cookie. So add a little extra fun to your Halloween this year with these tasty, creepy treats!
Ingredients & Cost:
- 1 cup unsalted butter – $1.62
- ½ teaspoon almond extract – $0.06
- 1 cup powdered sugar – $0.29
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – $0.53
- 1 large egg – $0.10
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.03
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.25
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – $0.15
- 45 whole almonds – $0.55
- 1 oz red gel icing – $0.82
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
Instructions
- First, make the cookie dough. Then let the dough chill for thirty minutes.
- Next, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Roll the dough into balls and then form them into fingers.
- Press a sliced almond into each end of the finger and use a knife to create slashes in the fingers.
- Finally, bake for nine to twelve minutes. While cooling, remove the almonds from the cookies and place red gel icing where the nail will be, and add the almond back on top.
RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Instead of almond extract, you can just increase the vanilla extract in the recipe to 2 teaspoons.
- You don’t have to color the cookies green, you can leave them white.
- Instead of red gel icing you can use strawberry jam.
Storage Tips
Serve & Store: Serve at room temperature and store in an airtight container in a single layer at room temperature.
Freeze: Place the cookies
COOK’S TOOLS
- stand mixer or handheld mixer
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups
- baking sheets
- 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop
- paring knife
- measuring spoons
- wire racks
- whisk
RECIPE FAQs
The key to this recipe is chill time. Do not skip this step. It is essential to let the dough chill before baking the cookies.
Sugar cookies are lighter and less dense than shortbread cookies. Therefore, sugar cookies are better for cutting into shapes and decorating. Because shortbread cookies are denser, the dough is easier to form and hold the finger shape we are creating.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: This is a great recipe to work on counting skills as you and your child roll the dough into balls in preparation for forming the balls into fingers.
Ages 4-5: You can also practice counting skills with your child in this age range as they help you roll the dough into balls.
Ages 6-8: Your child will love being able to put the red gel icing on the cookie under the almond nail.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
If you are going to a Halloween Party and need to bring a treat, this is an excellent option as it makes a large batch of cookies for just a few pennies.
MORE HALLOWEEN RECIPES
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Ground Turkey Chili
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Mummy Wrap Pizza Calzone
- Snickers Salad
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dip
- Crockpot White Chicken Chili
- Easy Beef Chili
Witch Finger Cookies
Recipe Cost $4.40 Serving Cost $0.10Equipment
- Stand mixer or handheld mixer
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups
- baking sheets
- 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop
- paring knife
- Measuring spoons
- wire racks
- whisk
Ingredients
FOR COOKIES:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- green food coloring
FOR DECORATING:
- 45 whole almonds
- red gel icing or strawberry jam
Instructions
MAKE COOKIE DOUGH:
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well blended.
- Beat in the egg and the extracts until well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Add 1 small drop of green food coloring at a time until your desired color is reached.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
SHAPE AND BAKE COOKIES:
- Remove dough from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Line baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- Divide the dough using a cookie dough scoop, and then divide the dough in half (about ½ tablespoon) and roll into balls.
- Form the dough into a long finger shape, shaping them a bit to create the knuckles, about 3-4 inches long and ½ inch thick.
- Firmly press a sliced almond into each end of the finger to make the fingernail.
- Using a toothpick or the dull side of a small knife, create several slashes in the fingers.
- Place the cookie dough fingers on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown, rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking.
COOL AND FINISH:
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on wire racks.
- Remove the almonds from the cookies.
- Squeeze a small amount of the red gel icing where the nail will be and gently add the almond back on top.
Krissy Allori says
I tried making something similar with breadsticks and they didn’t turn out. So glad I found this recipe! Not only did they look better but they tasted way better!
Colleen says
This is such a fun idea, and I know these witch finger cookies will be a hit at our Halloween party!
Matt Ivan says
These are super creepy yet adorable! Going to be a hit this Halloween. Thanks!
Kushigalu says
What a great recipe to try this Halloween. Thanks for sharingK
Katia says
I love these bloody fingers!! these will be great for my halloween party in a couple of weeks