Witch’s Fingers Cookies

1 cup    butter at room temperature

1 cup    icing sugar

1   lrg egg

½ t    almond extract

1t    vanilla

2 ¾ cup   all purpose flour

1t    baking powder

3/4 t    salt

½ cup      blanched whole almonds

2 tubes       red decorating gel (I usually get away with one)

In a bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 min.

Working with quarters of the dough at a time and keeping the remaining dough in the fridge, roll heaping teaspoon into finger shape. Please on greased baking sheet. Squeeze a dab of “blood” onto the almond, or fingertip, and press almond firmly into the end of the finger. Cut lines in middle to make knuckles.

Bake at 325F for 15 -20 min or until golden. Remove cookies and place on rack to cool.

Makes about 50 cookies.

* Note: Sometimes I add green food colouring to the dough to make them green witch’s fingers. Either way – they are pretty gross AND yummy!