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Best Spooky Severed Finger Cheese Straws Recipe for Halloween

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These Spooky Severed Finger Cheese Straws are genuinely delicious and grotesque enough to make your guests do a double-take. Quick, easy, and perfect for last-minute Halloween panic, they’re the star of any spooky spread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 3–4 tablespoons ice-cold water
  • 24 whole almonds (blanched or natural)
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • Paprika or smoked paprika for dusting
  • Red food coloring or beet powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cayenne (if using), and garlic powder. Add cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  3. Toss in shredded cheddar and mix gently with a fork until evenly distributed. Do not overmix.
  4. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of ice-cold water over mixture and stir with a fork until dough starts to come together. If dry, add remaining water one teaspoon at a time. Dough should hold together when squeezed but not be sticky.
  5. Form dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut rectangles about 3-4 inches long and ¾-inch wide. Round the top slightly and make a small indent near the top to look like a knuckle. Use the back of a knife to score 2-3 small lines for knuckle creases.
  7. Press one whole almond firmly into the rounded end of each finger-shaped dough piece, pointed end outward.
  8. Brush each finger with beaten egg mixture.
  9. Lightly sprinkle paprika over the fingers. For extra effect, dab a tiny bit of red food coloring at the base of the ‘fingernail’.
  10. Place fingers on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
  11. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Notes

Keep everything cold for flaky pastry. Do not overwork the dough. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. For realistic fingers, make knuckle lines slightly uneven. If almond falls off during baking, press back on while warm. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes if needed. Freeze unbaked fingers for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, cheese straws, severed fingers, spooky, party appetizer, cheddar, almond fingernails

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/best-spooky-severed-finger-cheese-straws-recipe-for-halloween/