Ghoulish Almond Grippers
This spine-chilling treat, inspired by the ghoulish creativity of Canadian Halloween tradition, is both delightful and a little frightening. Perfect for a spooky gathering or to thrill trick-or-treaters, Ghoulish Almond Grippers are a whimsical take on classic cookies, shaped like fingers with the added fright of red gel 'blood' oozing from underneath an almond fingernail. These whimsical yet delicious cookies fuse almond flavor with buttery goodness, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite that will enchant your guests and add to your Halloween festivities!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 cup (softened)
icing sugar
1 cup (sifted through a sieve)
large egg
1 (at room temperature)
almond extract
1 teaspoon (none)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups (none)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
whole blanched almonds
3/4 cup (about 60 almonds required)
red decorating gel
as needed (for decoration)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla, mixing well to combine.
2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
3
Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
4
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Prepare your cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
5
After the dough has chilled, remove only 1/4 of it from the refrigerator (keep the rest cold). Take heaping teaspoonfuls of the dough and roll them into 'finger' shapes, tapering at one end.
6
Firmly press a whole blanched almond into the tapered end of each dough finger to form the fingernail. Pinch the dough below the almond and at the opposite end to create knuckle shapes.
7
Using the back of a table knife, make indents into each knuckle to enhance the frightening appearance, emulating the look of real fingers.
8
For a more grotesque look, consider using about a tablespoon of dough per cookie to create thicker, more gnarled fingers.
9
Place formed fingers on the lined cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until they turn a pale golden color.
10
As each batch bakes, repeat the shaping with more dough from the refrigerator to keep up with the baking.
11
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the trays for about three minutes.
12
Carefully lift each almond and squeeze a bit of red decorating gel onto the exposed 'nail bed', then gently press the almond back in place, allowing the gel to ooze out slightly for a ghoulish effect.
13
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or displaying at your Halloween party.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ghoulish Almond Grippers?
Ghoulish Almond Grippers are spooky, finger-shaped cookies inspired by Canadian Halloween traditions, featuring almond 'fingernails' and red gel 'blood'.
What flavor profile do these cookies have?
These cookies offer a delicious fusion of buttery goodness and distinct almond flavor.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 10 main ingredients: butter, icing sugar, egg, almond extract, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, salt, blanched almonds, and red decorating gel.
What type of butter should I use?
You should use 1 cup of unsalted butter that has been softened to room temperature.
Should I sift the icing sugar?
Yes, it is recommended to sift 1 cup of icing sugar through a sieve before mixing.
What extracts are used in these cookies?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of almond extract and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
You will need 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
Do I need to chill the cookie dough?
Yes, you must cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it up before shaping.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) before baking the cookies.
How do I prepare the cookie sheets?
Prepare your cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
How much dough should I use for each cookie?
Use heaping teaspoonfuls of dough for standard fingers, or about a tablespoon for thicker, gnarled fingers.
How do I shape the cookies into fingers?
Roll the dough into finger shapes and taper one end where the almond 'nail' will go.
How do I create the fingernails on the cookies?
Firmly press a whole blanched almond into the tapered end of each dough finger.
How do I make the cookies look like they have knuckles?
Pinch the dough below the almond and at the opposite end, then use the back of a table knife to make indents to emulate real knuckles.
How many almonds do I need for this recipe?
You will need approximately 3/4 cup of whole blanched almonds, which is about 60 almonds.
How far apart should the cookies be placed on the baking sheet?
Space the formed dough fingers about 1 inch apart on the lined cookie sheets.
How long do the Ghoulish Almond Grippers bake?
Bake them for 20 to 25 minutes until they turn a pale golden color.
What is the best way to handle the dough while baking in batches?
Keep the majority of the dough in the refrigerator and only remove 1/4 of it at a time to keep it cold and easy to handle.
How long should the cookies cool before adding the 'blood' effect?
Let the cookies cool on the trays for about three minutes after removing them from the oven.
How do I create the 'oozing blood' effect?
Lift the almond, squeeze red decorating gel onto the nail bed, and press the almond back down so the gel oozes out.
What is the purpose of the egg in this recipe?
The large egg acts as a binder and should be used at room temperature for better incorporation.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include halloween, cookies, dessert, spooky, party food, almond, fun, celebration, and finger cookies.
Is baking powder used in this cookie recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of baking powder is used to give the cookies a slight lift.
Should the cookies be completely cooled before serving?
Yes, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or displaying at a party.
Can I make these look more grotesque?
Yes, you can use more dough per cookie to create thicker, more gnarled-looking fingers.
What kind of gel is used for the blood?
The recipe calls for red decorating gel, applied as needed for the spooky effect.
How do I mix the dry ingredients?
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl before adding them to the wet ingredients.
When should I start preheating the oven?
You should preheat the oven after the dough has chilled for at least 30 minutes.
What is the texture of the cookies?
These cookies have a buttery, tender texture similar to classic shortbread or almond cookies.
Are these suitable for trick-or-treaters?
Yes, they are described as a whimsical and frightening treat perfect for trick-or-treaters or Halloween parties.