If you’re looking for a Halloween treat that’s equal parts spooky and delicious, Witch Finger Cookies are the perfect choice. These eerie cookies look like gnarled witch fingers, complete with almond “nails” and a touch of red jam to resemble blood. They’re surprisingly easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to be the talk of any Halloween party.
The secret to the best Witch Finger Cookies lies in the dough. A simple buttery shortbread base gives them that perfect balance of crisp edges and a tender center. After chilling the dough, you shape it into thin, finger-like logs, pressing in knuckle lines with a knife or toothpick to make them look extra realistic. An almond slice at the tip becomes the nail, and a little raspberry or strawberry jam adds that spooky finishing touch.
These cookies don’t just look amazing, they taste incredible too. The buttery dough melts in your mouth, and the jam adds just the right amount of sweetness. You can even add a hint of almond or vanilla extract to boost the flavor. For a festive twist, try dipping the ends in melted chocolate instead of jam or adding a few drops of green food coloring to make them look like monster fingers.
Witch Finger Cookies are great for Halloween parties, trick-or-treat nights, or just a cozy October evening at home. They store well in an airtight container for up to a week, so you can make them ahead of time and focus on the rest of your spooky menu.
Whether you’re baking with kids or impressing guests with your Halloween creativity, these cookies are a must-try. They photograph beautifully, making them ideal for social media or Halloween-themed Pinterest boards. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of creepy, buttery, and delicious Witch Finger Cookies that will cast a spell on everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup almonds whole blanched
- 1 tube red decorator gel
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
- Divide the dough into sections, wrapping each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Work with one section of dough at a time, leaving the rest in the fridge to keep cool. Roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into finger shapes.
- Press an almond into one end of each dough finger to resemble a nail.
- Pipe red decorator gel around the ‘nail’ to give a bloody appearance.
- Use a small knife to make knuckle marks and lines on the fingers.
- Place shaped cookies onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
I was skeptical about making cookies that look like fingers, but they turned out great. Just a bit messy with the gel, but that was fun!
The dough was hard to work with, and my fingers don’t look as good as the pic. Plus, where do you find blanched almonds? 🤔
These cookies are super cute for Halloween! Tasted delish too!
I can’t believe i made these with my kids! They loved the red goo. Best family fun ever! 😍
I dunno, red goo? Sounds kinda gross. 😂 Are you sure your kids like it?
That sounds amazing! I’ve always wanted to make spooky cookies with my kids. What a fun way to bond! 🎃
I don’t understand why you would make cookies that look gross. Not for me.
I think they’re fun! Perfect for Halloween parties. Not every cookie has to be pretty! 🎃
Uh, why would you want to make cookies that look like fingers? That’s just weird…but I guess fun for a party??
I think it’s a fun idea! Perfect for Halloween parties and kids will love it! 🎃
Yum! Even tho they look scary, my family devoured them! Who knew finger cookies could be so tasty!
These are so creepy but perfect for Halloween! My kids loved making them. Will make again for sure!
So glad to hear your kids loved making them! Halloween treats are the best! 🎃
The taste was just ok, kinda bland. They look good but I expected more flavor. 😕
I thought they had a ton of flavor! Maybe try adding some spices next time? 🤷♀️
Idk about using almonds, can I use chocolate chips instead? Also, they look kinda gross but fun!
I tried making these but they just spread out and looked like blobs… did I do something wrong? 1/5
Don’t worry! It happens sometimes. Maybe your dough wasn’t cold enough before baking? Just keep practicing!
You sure you followed the recipe? Maybe you added too much butter or something. These cookies take a lil’ skill!
Do these really taste good? I’m skeptical of the almond part. Don’t people just eat the cookie? 🤔
Trust me, the almond actually adds a nice crunch! Don’t knock it till you try it! 😋
Yum! These are amazing! So easy and they look super cool! 👻
Finger cookies? More like finger lickers, lol! Everyone loves them! 🖐️❤️
I followed the recipe exactly but my cookies came out flat and sad. What did I do wrong? 😩
These cookies are super fun for Halloween! I made them with my kids and they turned out great! 😍
I thought they were gonna taste gross but they are actually very tasty! A lil spooky, but nice!