NOW SERVING: FIENDISH "FINGER" FOOD

Red-dyed almonds become manicured fingernails on these particularly eerie fingers. There are lots of variations on Halloween “finger” food, but these look as if they should be starring at a wickedly elegant tea party.

INGREDIENTS

• About 1 ⁄2 cup blanched almond slices (36 pieces) red liquid or paste coloring
• 1⁄2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 
• 1⁄2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄8 teaspoon almond extract, optional 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Place the almonds in a disposable plastic container (a yogurt or sour cream cup with a lid, for example), add 8 to 10 drops of liquid coloring or a dab of paste, cover tightly, and shake vigorously. (If you don’t have a disposable plastic container, use a ziplock bag and massage well to distribute the color.) Set the almonds on a sheet of wax paper to dry.
3. Cream the butter with the confectioners’ sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, almond extract, if using, and salt. Blend in the flour. Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and chill for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Divide one of the dough halves into 18 lumps. Working quickly, roll each one between your palms to form a finger about 4 inches long. Lay it on a baking sheet and squeeze the edges lightly to dent the sides into more of a defined finger shape. Use the blade of a knife to lightly score knuckles. Press a red almond nail, pointed tip out, at the top of each finger.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until firm but not at all browned. (The best doneness test is: When you begin to smell cookie in the air, remove the baking sheet from the oven!) Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

[SOURCE: Ghoulish Goodies]