ALmond witch finger cookies

My mom makes these creepy halloween treats every year, and they're delicious! Bake them for your spooky halloween party and your friends!

Makes: 28 cookies , Author: Janet Barton ,
​Prep time: 20 min , Total time: 40 min

​Ingredients:
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioner's)
- 1 egg
 - 1 tsp almond extract
 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
 - 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
 - 1 tsp baking powder
 - 1 tsp salt (1/2 tsp salt if using salted butter)
 - 3/4 cups blanched whole almonds
 - couple drops green food colouring
 - 1 tube red decorating gel OR strawberry / raspberry jam
​
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar, egg, and the almond and vanilla extracts until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until a stiff dough forms.
3. Then add a few drops of green food colouring until you get the colour you want.
4. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. If you have one, use and ice cream scoop that's about 1 tablespoon to scoop the dough. Form it into a long log shape, and pinch it to make knuckles. Press the blanched almond into the tip of the cookie and use a knife or a toothpick to create wrinkles in the finger.
6. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the cookies at least 1 inch apart. Cook in a 325 degree preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
7. Optional: you can pick up the blanched almond and squeeze a little bit of jam or red decorating gel on the nail bed. Put the almond back and behold your creepy witch fingers!
 - Charlotte J             

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