Shortbread Witches Fingers (Printable Version)
Buttery shortbread with cinnamon and almonds, shaped as witch fingers for a festive Halloween snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 -
6 ounces (1 1/4 cups + 1 tablespoon) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
02 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
03 -
Pinch kosher salt
04 -
1 tablespoon slivered almonds
→ Wet Ingredients
05 -
4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
06 -
2 ounces (1/4 cup, lightly packed) brown sugar
07 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
02 -
Fold in ground cinnamon, all-purpose flour, and pinch of kosher salt just until the dough begins to come together. Do not overmix.
03 -
Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and press together gently until crumbs are fully incorporated. Shape into a square.
04 -
Place dough between parchment paper or lightly dust a rolling pin with flour. Roll into a rectangle 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch thick.
05 -
Cut the rectangle lengthwise in half, then crosswise into thin, long rectangles about 1/2 inch wide.
06 -
Take each rectangle and pinch three sections along its length: once at 1/2 inch, again at 1 inch, and a third pinch at the base to form knuckle shapes.
07 -
With a paring knife, score three short lines across each knuckle bump to mimic real finger joints.
08 -
Insert a slivered almond at the tip of each finger-shaped dough piece to resemble a fingernail.
09 -
Arrange formed cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
10 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cookies from the fridge about 10 minutes before baking to bring the pan slightly toward room temperature.
11 -
Bake on the center rack for 9 to 11 minutes, until the bottoms are just beginning to turn light golden.
12 -
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before serving.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Chilling the dough before baking ensures crisp texture and helps maintain the finger shapes during baking.