Witchy Shortbread Fingers
Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween bake with these Witchy Shortbread Finger's Recipe created by our ambassador The Blondie Baker! Buttery, crumbly and frightfully fun to make, these creepy creations are shaped into bony fingers, dusted with magical black powder and finished with blood-red raspberry jam and almond nails. Perfect for Halloween parties, spooky celebrations or sharing with friends… if you dare!
Recipe serves 16
Baking Ingredients
- 250g plain flour
- 75g icing sugar
- 160g unsalted butter, softened
- Pinch sea salt
- 1/2 tsp of flavouring
- 16 large almond flakes
- Rainbow Dust Green ProGel
Decorating Ingredients
- Rainbow Dust Red ProGel
- Rainbow Dust Magic Black food powder
- Rainbow Dust radical red food powder
- 1 tsp red berry jam
Method
Making the shortbread:
1. Line a 30cm x 30cm baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. In a large bowl (or stand mixer with paddle attachment), combine butter, flour, sugar, salt, flavourings and a generous squeeze of green ProGel.
3. Mix until a soft dough forms.
4. Wrap in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat a fan oven to 180°C / 350°F.
6. Divide the chilled dough into 16 equal portions.
7. Roll each into a 12cm log. Using your index and middle fingers, press gently to form knuckles. Press down at one end and round off to create a nail bed (see reel for visual guide).
8. Use a cocktail stick or knife to etch finger creases.
9. Arrange on the tray in two rows of eight
10. Bake in the centre of the oven for 12 minutes, until puffed but not browned
11. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Time to decorate:
1. Select 16 large almond halves.
2. Using a small art brush, dust the finger biscuits with black magic powder to accentuate knuckles and darken nail beds.
3. Lightly dust almonds with black magic powder, and the tips with radical red powder.
4. Warm raspberry jam in a small dish for 10–15 seconds in the microwave. Stir in a small squeeze of red ProGel for vibrancy.
5. Paint the nail beds with jam, press on the almond “nails”, and add a touch more jam at the base.
6. Serve with a red dipping sauce, fanned out on a plate, perfect for haring with brave-hearted friends.
