Witches' fingers recipe

This recipe is an easy way to make biscuits that look just like gnarled witches' fingers and taste wickedly good.

They are fantastically easy to make. All you need to do is mix together the dough ingredients and decorate them with almonds and jam. But the results are really creep and convincing. Serve them with some thick hot chocolate, or a chocolate sauce to dip them in. If you're making a spooky spread for Halloween, you should check out our Halloween cookies (opens in new tab) too. Both make perfect party food with a ghoulish twist. Our recipe makes 45 fingers and will take around 20 mins to make and bake, plus chilling time. 

Ingredients

• 100g butter
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 medium egg
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 225g plain flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 45 blanched almonds, halved
• 5 tbsp strawberry jam

Method

1. Using a food processor, beat the butter and sugar until pale. Add the egg and vanilla, and whisk again. Sift in the flour and baking powder, and mix to form a soft dough. Chill for 30 mins.
2. Heat oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas 4. Divide the dough into 45 and roll each piece into a finger shape. Press the back of a knife into the dough to make knuckles. Lightly press an almond onto the dough where the nail would be, then remove it again. This is just to leave a little dent for later. Put on lined baking trays and chill for 30 mins. 
3. Bake for 10-12 mins until pale golden, then remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack.
4. Once cooled, spoon a little jam onto the nail base and top with an almond.

Top tips for making witches' fingers:

Add a few drops of green food colouring gel to the dough to make these look even more witchy. You can dip the bottom of the fingers into jam as well if you like, to make them look like they've been severed.

How can I make a nut-free version of this recipe?

For guests with nut allergies, we recommend making the green version of these witches' fingers (see tip, above) and swapping the almonds for half a bright red glacé cherry. It will look like a painted fingernail. Snip the ends into a point to make them look more like sharp nails. 

What are the best things to serve at a grown-up Halloween party?

For a party that is not a sit down dinner, we recommend plenty of picky things that people can eat with one hand while they hold a drink with the other. Go all out with the spook-factor and don't be afraid to serve things like this - they're not just for kids, because at Halloween anything goes. They're also great to have on hand for any passing trick or treaters.

You might also like...

• Halloween food ideas (opens in new tab)
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• Halloween recipes (opens in new tab)