Transform your Halloween cookies into life-like ghoulish fingers with crafty shaping and creatively using blanched almonds for pointy nails. Set these on a plate or stack them up in a decorative jack-o-lantern for fun vegan Halloween entertaining.

Vegan Ghoul Fingers

Yields 32

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon ground flax
• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 1 cup vegan butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup thick raspberry preserves
• 32 blanched almonds

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine ground flax and water. Set aside for 5 minutes.
2. In the bowl of a stand up mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar. Beat on high to cream together.
3. Add the flax mixture and extracts and beat on low to combine. Stop and scrape down sides of the bowl and beat again until ingredients are well-blended.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and blend on low to moisten. Increase speed to medium and beat until well-combined.
6. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7. When you’re ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
8. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
9. Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll it into a finger shape. Place it on prepared baking sheet and make an indentation on the top of the “finger”. Spoon just a bit of preserves onto the indentation. Press an almond, pointy-side up, onto preserves to make the nail.
10. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cookies are just slightly golden.