Well, it’s 2 days before Halloween and I wanted to share a special recipe for some exceptionally delicious treats that take no time at all.
My newest fave Halloween treat is Matcha Shortbread Witch Fingers! They are so easy to make and look so real that they are really a bit CREEPY, though yummy, if I do say so myself.
Like my title says if biting your fingers tasted THIS good NO ONE would have any! Matcha tea powder gives just the proper amount of moss green coloring for witch fingers. Those of you who prefer not to use Matcha, just leave it out.
The key to the most fabulous witch fingers is polishing the finger nails. You will need to get some skinned or blanched whole almonds. I took a small brush and coated each almond with a very thin layer of red, pink and violet food coloring. Allow them to dry out a bit on a sheet pan lined with waxed paper. Don’t worry if they are still a bit tacky, as in your worst manicure nightmare, because they will dry in the oven during baking.
Next, after allowing the dough to chill for a short time, shaping each finger is crucial to the realistic look that you want. Remember, most of us have 2 knuckles per finger (except the thumb) so make indentations in 2 areas of each finger to make a realistic finger shape. Then with a small knife, make a few marks for each knuckle. And go ahead and make some one knuckled thumbs while you are at it too.
Using a small brush, egg wash each nail area and glue on a polished nail onto each finger. Watch how REAL they actually look right before your eyes!! Bake them off on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, and you have about 5 handfuls or about 27 fingers total.
So go and enjoy this Halloween treat by biting your “finger” nails first as only a proper witch would do!
Matcha Witch Fingers
Makes approximately 27 fingers
2 tablespoons red, pink, or purple gel food coloring
About 30 blanched whole almonds
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup confectioner’s sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg, separated
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tablespoons Matcha tea powder
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Cover 2 sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a small brush, paint the top half of each almond with some food coloring, and allow to dry on a wax paper-lined sheet pan. They may remain tacky, but will dry in the oven when baked.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and two sugars on medium speed until just blended.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla and blend on low speed.
- In a small bowl whisk together the flour and Matcha powder. On low speed, add the mixture to the mixer and blend well.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a disc, and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Divide one half of the dough into 13-14 pieces. Roll each piece on a work surface into an approximate 3-4 inch long log, tapered at one end.
- Lightly squeeze the log in two places, equidistant from each other, to simulate the knuckles on a finger. If you desire to make a thumb, only make one knuckle. The knuckles can be shaped to be more knobby, and score each knuckle lightly with the tip of a knife. Place fingers on the prepared sheet pan, spaced evenly.
- Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the remaining half of dough.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the taped end of each finger with some egg wash. Press one painted almond onto the tip of each finger.
- Bake for about 12 minutes or until just lightly browned.
- Cool completely. Serve on a spooky Halloween platter or bowl.