Creepy Fingers

These creepy fingers cookies are perfect for a children's Halloween get-together. Kids love these icky fingers. Even more fun than eating them is making them, so don't be afraid to let them join in the process. They add a nice touch to a school treat or just to have when having friends over.

[edit] Ingredients

[edit] Directions

1. Heat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Put food coloring in a shallow bowl and add the slivered almonds into the bowl. Leave them set until they are as deep red as you'd like. Every so often, stir them around to make sure they are getting completely covered.
4. Separate 1 egg, sitting the white aside in a separate bowl. In a different bowl, take the entire second egg with the yolk of the first egg and whisk it together; add vanilla and set aside.
5. In large bowl, combine softened butter, confectioners' sugar, sugar, and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add egg mixture and almond extract, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and mix on low speed just until put together. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
6. Once firm enough divide the dough into two halves. Keep the one you're not working with covered in the plastic wrap and chilled. Separate the dough you're working with into fifteen pieces. Lightly flour your counter or work space. Roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes about 3 and a half to 4 inches long. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Score each knuckle lightly with the back of a small knife. Transfer fingers to the previously prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
7. After you have formed all your fingers, using a pastry brush, brush lightly with the egg white from the first egg in step 4.
8. Position almonds into nails and push into dough to keep firm.
9. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes, however, you will remove them at about 9 minutes and reshape them the way you want them to look. Cool completely.

[edit] Tips

• Some people omit the egg white brush. The only reason I like it is because it seems to add an old, weathered, yellowish dead look. I don't think it makes much difference in taste. However, it may help in solidifying the almond into the finger.
• You must roll these cookies thin. Believe me; they will spread out in the oven. Also, take them from the oven a few minutes early and reshape them the way you want them and then finish cooking.
• The recipe doesn't call for it, but if you wanted to slip a few slivers of almond into the fingers at random spots you can get that exposed dead bone look. You might also want to put fine lines of red icing to resemble blood in various spots onto the cooked fingers.