Description
Witches’ Fingers Cookies are delicate, crispy meringue cookies tinted with matcha powder and topped with whole almonds to resemble spooky fingers. Perfect for Halloween or themed parties, these cookies are light, airy, and visually striking with a subtle green tea flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meringue Base
- 4 separated egg whites about 1/2 cup
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Topping
- 1/2 cup whole almonds
Instructions
- Whip Egg Whites: Working with either the base of your stand mixer or a bowl and your hand mixer, add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Whip on high until soft peaks form, which will flop over slightly when you lift the whisk.
- Add Flavor: Add the vanilla extract and matcha powder, blending gently until fully combined into a smooth green mixture.
- Incorporate Sugar: Carefully add the powdered sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form. The mixture should hold a firm peak on your finger or mixer when pulled out.
- Pipe Cookies: Spoon the mixture into a piping bag. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. Pipe about 3-inch squiggly-lined rows of the green meringue mixture until all batter is used.
- Add Almonds: Place a whole almond at the end of each piped line with the pointed end facing outward to resemble a fingernail.
- Bake: Bake the cookies at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 90 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning. The longer you bake, the crisper they become.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for at least 15 minutes to firm up before enjoying.
Notes
- Use fresh egg whites at room temperature for better volume when whipping.
- If you don’t have matcha powder, you can substitute with finely ground green tea powder or omit for plain meringue cookies.
- Make sure no yolk gets into the whites, as fat can prevent proper whipping.
- Keep an eye on baking time; cookies may need up to 90 minutes to dry out fully but watch for browning which indicates overbaking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
