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How to make Halloween dead finger cookies

October 10, 2011 by Louise 42 Comments

Halloween treats
One of my favourite Halloween treats are these dead finger sugar cookies. They are always a big hit!

To keep the fingers as thin as possible during baking I roll out the dough thinly so it will keep the shape, as cookie dough tends to spread out. You can paint the almond nails with food colouring gels. I like to keep them natural with just a little dusting of cocoa powder, just like on the photo.

This is what I use:
Sugar cookie dough (please find recipe below)
Pastry brush
Plastic wrap
30-40 blanched almonds, cut into halves after the skin is removed
1 teaspoon dark cocoa powder + a little brush
Baking sheets
Knife

Sugar cookie recipe:

I get about 24-30 cookie fingers out of this portion.

2 large eggs (1 whole egg + 1 yolk. Use the leftover egg white for brushing the cookies)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla or almond extract
8 tablespoons (1 stick) (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (65 grams) confectioners’ sugar
5 tablespoons (60 grams) granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 2/3 cups (235 grams) all-purpose flour

1. In a bowl add the two types of sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt and the egg + yolk. Stir well with a wooden spoon.
2. Next stir in the softened butter
3. Add the flour and stir until it’s all combined
4. Take the dough and knead it lightly. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

Heat your oven to 350 degrees (175 C)

Step 1:
Take a small piece of cookie dough (walnut size) and roll it back and forth. You should make the finger long and thinly (think, witch long and creepy) for best results. Pinch and form knuckles. Score with a knife and transfer the fingers to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the cookies with the leftover egg white and place a almond “nail” on the cookie fingers. Chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Halloween finger cookies
Halloween finger cookies

Step 2:
Place the baking sheet in the middle of the oven and bake the finger cookies for about 12-15 minutes. They should be just lightly browned. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
Halloween finger cookie treats

Step 3:
Dust the fingers with a little cocoa powder and your creepy dead finger cookies are ready to be served.
Halloween cookies

Happy Caking!

Louise

Previous Post: « Christening cake with owls
Next Post: Jack Skellington brownie bites »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sally Beauty

    July 2, 2017 at 5:04 AM

    I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger
    lovers but this article is really a nice piece of writing, keep it up.

    Reply
  2. kathrein

    May 25, 2017 at 4:29 PM

    Wow, great article.Much thanks again. Will read on

    Reply
  3. Latha

    October 10, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    I tried this recipe yesterday. Came almost true to pictures. End product tasted delicious albeit a bit on the crispier side. It could have been either due to over baking or over mixing. Nevertheless, I will use this recipe again in the future.

    Reply
  4. Ola

    October 29, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Great recipe and big thanks for real cookie dough recipe not “use store bought cookie dough”. Will make them tomorrow, double 🙂

    Reply
  5. Roshini

    October 19, 2012 at 7:30 AM

    Wow what an idea! i’m gonna try this. Thanks for the details

    Reply
  6. Farzana

    August 2, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Girl, you sure impress! I was thinking, “How the heck did she make those? What are they made from?” And here, you’ve explained it beautifully. You are wonderful, thanks for your inspiration.

    Reply
  7. Wedding Cake

    November 7, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Unique ideas of making cakes…eye catching…and superb..!!

    Reply
    • dtyjfgg

      January 24, 2012 at 11:15 PM

      oh my fucken god these r good

      Reply
  8. E Rahman

    October 31, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    cool!.. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Jenylilly

    October 30, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    Just made these,they weren’t as perfect as the photos but still look amazing,for a first effort, forgot to glaze them and refrigerate….was in a rush! so some of the ‘nails’ fell off but just stuck them back on with icing.Am really please with the results,the kids are gonna love them.Many Thanks.

    Reply
  10. Jean

    October 30, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Creepy wonderful and eyecatching cookies!

    Reply
  11. Almisq

    October 29, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    This is cool. Thans !!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  12. Deane_jennifer

    October 29, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Just finished making them! They taste amazing! Im usually a cupcake kind of girl but couldnt help but create these for my halloween get together tomorrow!

    Reply
  13. Kirsten

    October 28, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Absolutely fabulous, I will start trying to create these tonight!

    Reply
  14. trilogyedibles

    October 28, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    these are so amazing!  I’m featuring them tomorrow on my blog http://www.trilogyedibles.com

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      October 28, 2011 at 8:06 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Loren

    October 24, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Wow! These totally rock! I’m gonna have to try them out at home!

    Reply
  16. Kerry

    October 22, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    These are so realistic I think I would actually have trouble eating them… they look so gross! Kudos!

    Reply
  17. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    October 21, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    These are by far the best looking fingers I have seen.  I love the use of cocoa powder. Brilliant!

    Reply
  18. Divya Yadava

    October 13, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Excellent idea – these look fantastic. Kids will love them!

    Reply
  19. paddle attachment

    October 13, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Wow!  Freaky!

    Reply
  20. cupcakesbysilvia.blogspot.com

    October 12, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    These dead fingers really look terrifying!! Congrats and thanks for sharing the recipe!! 😀 

    Reply
  21. Bings

    October 12, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Fantastic! I have been looking at the ones you made last year… Thanks so much for the tutorial! I will definitely have to try them out!

    Reply
  22. Milena

    October 12, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    sono veramente orribili !!! ;-))

    Reply
  23. Judy

    October 11, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    These are great! I think I might make them to bring to work; I’m also thinking about dipping the “cut-off” end of the finger in some “blood”, or maybe just in some red icing 🙂
    Thank you so much for sharing and for making it look so easy!!

    Reply
  24. Kira

    October 11, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    These looks awesome. Wilton has a pan shaped for fingers as well. I’d like to share my cookie tip. If you don’t want your cookie spreading, especially when using a cutter, don’t use baking soda in the recipe. Also, you can chill the dough before baking.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      October 11, 2011 at 2:34 PM

      Hi Kira, I have seen the Wilton pan but sometimes it can get too perfect 😉 Yes, never use baking powder or soda when making cookies. I have never had great luck with that.

      Reply
  25. Jo

    October 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    What a great idea! I love it! thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  26. Pyntekagen

    October 10, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  27. Anna_ilieava12a

    October 10, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Hey! That is fantastic idea! I will try it, thanks for sharing:)

    Reply
  28. Papusha

    October 10, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    These look amazing 🙂

    Reply
  29. Eftychia

    October 10, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Thank you so much for this recipe and the how to…!!

    Reply
  30. Delphine

    October 10, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Those halloween fingers are so creepy ahah ! I’d love to make some for Halloween, i keep your recipe in mind ! Have a nice evening !
    Delphine

    Reply
  31. Mi Vida en un Dulce

    October 10, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Looked very difficult to make but with your instructions, looks not too much. Thanks for teaching how to make it.

    Reply
  32. EmmaMT

    October 10, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    They are perfectly gross! I love them. Not sure I would be able to eat a finger though, but that’s the point isn’t it?

    Great post!

    Reply
  33. carola Damen

    October 10, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Wow, very nice. We don’t have a big halloween over here, but this year I think we have a party at home. 

    Reply
  34. Michelle

    October 10, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Awesome!!!!!!  Love it!!!!!

    Reply
  35. Rocelia

    October 10, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    These are SO cool!

    Reply
  36. Mwcooker

    October 10, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    I’ve made these with pretzel dough and added rosemary to some for a “hairy look” very gross!!  Love the idea of sugar cookies, yummy.

    Reply
  37. i sugar coat it!

    October 10, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial. I will be trying these out for halloween!!

    Reply
  38. Anna-Marie Fourie

    October 10, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    This is cool. Awesome Idea, thanks.

    Reply
  39. Rahamburg

    October 10, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    So cool! These look great. I will try them:) Thanks!

    Reply

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