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Crispy Severed-Finger Cheese Straws with Almond Nails

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These crispy severed-finger cheese straws with almond nails are a fun, flaky, and delicious Halloween snack that combines sharp cheddar, a hint of cayenne, and a playful creepy presentation. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any spooky gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 8 oz (225g) sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
  • 2 oz (56g) cream cheese, cold
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) ice water
  • 24–30 slivered almonds
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Paprika (optional, for dusting)
  • Rosemary sprigs or parsley (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Grate 8 ounces (225g) of sharp cheddar on the fine side of a box grater. Set aside at room temperature.
  3. In a food processor, combine 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Pulse to combine.
  4. Add the ½ cup (113g) of very cold, cubed butter and 2 ounces (56g) of cold cream cheese. Pulse 10-12 times until the butter is broken down into pea-sized pieces.
  5. Add the grated cheddar and pulse 4-5 more times until just distributed.
  6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons (30ml) of ice water over the mixture and pulse 2-3 times. Squeeze a small piece of dough; if it holds together, it’s ready. If dry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon (15ml) of water and pulse again.
  7. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and bring it together into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  8. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to about ¼-inch (6mm) thickness. Cut strips roughly 4 inches (10cm) long and ½ inch (1.25cm) wide. You should get about 24-30 strips.
  9. Gently round the top end of each strip to create the ‘fingertip.’ Use the back of a knife to press two or three shallow lines across the strip to create ‘knuckle’ creases.
  10. Press a slivered almond firmly into the rounded tip of each finger, angled slightly upward.
  11. Place the shaped fingers on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5cm) apart. Refrigerate for another 15 minutes.
  12. Brush each finger lightly with the egg wash, being careful not to brush the almonds.
  13. Bake for 12-14 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through, until golden brown and puffed. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  14. If using, lightly dust the warm straws with paprika. Arrange on a platter with rosemary sprigs or parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep all ingredients cold for flaky pastry. Don’t skip the chilling steps to prevent spreading. Use a light touch with knuckle impressions to avoid breaking. Toast almonds slightly beforehand for a more realistic nail color. Work in batches if kitchen is warm.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, cheese straws, severed fingers, almond nails, spooky snack, party appetizer, cheddar, flaky pastry

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/crispy-severed-finger-cheese-straws-with-almond-nails/