Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in green food coloring, if using.
Step 2: Shaping the Fingers
- Using your hands, roll out a tablespoon of dough into a finger shape, about 3 inches long.
- Make an indentation at one end for the nail, and use a knife to make knuckle lines.
- Place the finger on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.
- Press an almond slice onto the nail indentation.
Step 3: Baking
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Step 4: Icing
- Once the cookies are completely cool, prepare your icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Transfer the icing to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small corner cut off.
- Pipe "fingernails" onto the almond slices.
- Use a small paintbrush to dab a bit of cocoa powder onto the nails for a realistic touch.
Notes
Be careful not to overbake the cookies, as they can become dry. If the dough is too sticky, chill it for 10-15 minutes before shaping. For a cleaner look, pipe the icing onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, then carefully transfer the fingers onto the icing.