Witch Fingers Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
• Remove dough from refrigerator in small amounts. Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of waxed paper. Use the waxed paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped cookie. Press one almond into one end of each cookie to give the appearance of a long fingernail. Squeeze cookie near the tip and again near the center of each to give the impression of knuckles. You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance. Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are slightly golden in color, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the almond from the end of each cookie; squeeze a small amount of red decorating gel into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the gel to ooze out around the tip of the cookie.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk the oil, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Lightly flour a work surface and divide the dough into 10 equal portions with a bench scraper or chef's knife. Roll each portion into a 10-inch rope. Twist each rope in the middle and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. (Each twist will look like a gnarly witch knuckle.)
• Brush the breadsticks with the seasoned oil and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Firmly press an olive half on the end of each breadstick to stick to the dough. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or, if the temperature on your package of refrigerated breadstick dough indicates a different temperature, follow the temperature on the package. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
• Unroll the breadsticks onto a large cutting board (or your counter or wherever you like to do doughy things).
• Using a pizza cutter, slice each breadstick in half vertically and again horizontally. Each breadstick should be about 3-4 inches long and 1/2-inch to 1 inch wide, but perfection is highly discouraged! The more rustic the more realistic. :)
• Roll the dough a bit to round it a bit/give it more of a finger shape. Lay it on the baking sheet.
• Using your thumb, press down on the narrowest tip of each breadstick. If using almonds, press a sliced almond onto each tip. If using bell peppers, you'll add them AFTER the breadsticks have baked.
• Now, you have a couple of options. You can grab the pizza cutter or a bread knife and press a three or four horizontal lines into the middle of the breadstick so it'll look a bit like a knuckle. And/or, if desired, brush lightly with egg. This will give them a slightly shinier and more golden appearance. Or skip those steps and just stick 'em in the oven already!
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, until puffy and starting to brown on the top. But again, if the label on your breadsticks indicates a different time, I recommend going by that time and just checking them often.
• Let cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• If adding bell pepper for the fingernails, after they've cooled, dab the tip with a bit of cream cheese and stick the bell pepper on. You may want to dry the pepper off with a paper towel so it will adhere better.
• Arrange on a plate or in mini mason jars filled with marinara or pizza sauce. Bloooody!
• Almond-tipped fingers keep in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Because of the cream cheese and cut pepper, I recommend storing that version in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip broken ends of pretzel rods in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; press a jelly bean half onto dipped end of each pretzel to resemble a fingernail. Let stand until candy coating is almost set. Using a toothpick, make lines on each pretzel to resemble knuckles.

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Put the water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking until the butter and sugar melts. Remove pan from the heat and sift the flour into the pan. Stir the dough together with a wooden spoon. Return to the heat and stir constantly until pulls away from the sides of the pan and is slightly shiny, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a medium bowl, and beat until cooled, about 2 minutes. Add the cayenne, and whole eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each 1 thoroughly before adding the next. Mix in the mustard and cheese.
• Put 1/4-inch plain tip in a pastry bag, and spoon the dough into the bag. Pipe 3 1/2-inch long thin finger-like shapes onto prepared pans. Beat the egg yolk with a tablespoon of water and dab or brush the tops of each witches' finger with it. Lay an almond on the end of each witches finger so that it looks like a nail, sprinkle fingers with kosher salt.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking until the fingers are golden brown and slightly crisp, about 5 minutes more. Cool on a rack.