The classic witch fingers cookies get a healthy, gluten free, paleo AND vegan makeover! They’re easy to make and always a hit at Halloween parties!
I. Am. So. Excited.
So excited that I’m sitting here, at my computer, in my hello kitty pajamas (because, yes, you needed to know that) AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. LIKE, I can’t even figure out what to say except:
Halloween! Obsessingobsessingobsessing over it.
I mean, it’s my most favoritest holiday of the year EVER. Well, besides Christmas (mostly because of the ability to eat healthy ginger snaps.) Whatever. You get it. I just really love Halloween.
And you know what I also L-O-V-EEEEE? HEALTHY, Paleo Halloween treats! Not the ones that come in a pillow case (did you guys use those to trick-or-treat? Or were my parents just parentals from the BLOCK? Ie: Ghetto fabulous) that your maybe-equally-ghetto-fab parents need to make sure aren’t going to KILL YOU.
Side note: Pretty sure that was just an excuse for adults to get first dibs on the candy THEY wanted to eat, in the name of “safety.”
I’m looking at you MOM. *shifty eyes*
ANYWAY. I’m teaming up with another awesome group of bloggers: Lindsay from “Cotter Crunch”, and Erin from “Texanerin Baking” to bring to your healthy-but-OH-SO-spooky-treat loving faces a roundup of Paleo Halloween Treats!!!! <— !!!.
I just had to make sure you saw the exclamation marks. THAT excited you guys. Here’s the ghoulishg treats that these lovely ladies are bringin’:
Erin has these some creepy Paleo Bloody Eyeball Brownies! These paleo bloody eyeball brownies are frosted with a coconut butter based frosting and then topped with lychees and strawberry jam. The brownies are thick and chewy and make the perfect base for this quick and easy Halloween treat! Get the recipe by clicking —> Paleo Bloody Eyeball Brownies
Lindsay has some Bloody Deviled Eggs! Deviled eggs made to look like blood shot eyeballs! All you need are green olives, spices, eggs, and your favorite paleo condiment to mix in! A favorite spooky appetizer for the kids (and adults) at Halloween parties, but also easy to make and healthy! Get the recipe by clicking —> Bloody Deviled Egg.
If you follow me on Instagram, you KNEW these witch fingers were coming. Like, in August. Because I should tattoo “Hi peeps, my name is Taylor and I am a crazy in-advance-work-a-holic person.” TRUE FACT.
I also just really love Halloween. Combined with I work too much. #thisismyreallife.
I promise we’re going to actually talk about these classic Halloween Paleo cookies right now. Except, we do need to BACK ‘ER UP the word “classic.” I sort of-totally-do feel like I’m just THROWING that word out to make you think that my parents weren’t totally lame with the pillow case shenanigans, and gave me SOME cool Halloween-age growing up.
But, they didn’t.
Yes. I never did eat witches fingers in the years of my youth. It was all about the normal candy like almond joy no bake bars, homemade peanut butter cups and paleo homemade twix bars. Everything that I currently know about all things spooky and Halloween-y COULD be a lie.
I chose to be a blissful human and IGNORE that possibility. I mean, a life with almond joys and Twix isn’t really something to be mad about, you know?
BUT, I don’t ignore cookies. Especially healthy cookies that are Paleo PLUSPLUSPLUS vegan friendly and look SO real. Like, Mr. FFF’s nursey friends were taking photos of them and sending them to OTHER nursey friends to scare them. TRUE STORY. REALLY HAPPENED. PROUD MOMENT. <3 <3 <3
Besides the fact that they are soo0ooo0o00o scary and spook-tacular these gruesome, gory fingers for your cooking-munchin’-mouths are super easy. AND, for those of you that are concerned, taste NOTHING like a severed finger.
Not that I know what that tastes like. JUST TO CLARIFY.
They’re kind of like a shortbread in the sense that they’re more of a dry cookie. You know, the kind that go perfectly with your morning 10 cups of coffee? You’re picking up what I’m putting down.
Plus they’ve got this nutty-sweet flavor from the almond extract that makes the inner why-can’t-I-eat-a-jar-of-almond butter-for-every-meal person that I am SUPER excited about life and everything that goes along with it.
Like the easiest strawberry “jam.” That is not really jam at all, because you don’t need to slave it up in the kitchen for eleventy billion years playing with jars. This girl does NOT can things.
Before I let you carefully tread into the land of haunted-Halloween treats let’s go over the top 5 facts for witch finger success:
- Follow the chilling and freezing times. Hold it Cowboy. Don’t get all “wild wild west” (name that song!) on me and think you can just do your own THANG. Your fingers won’t hold their shape. Which will make you sad. And cry. IT HURTS.
- Resist the urge to cut the knuckles too deep. Then your cookies will crack in half when you remove them from the pan. See above points last two sentences.
- FROZENFROZENFROZEN strawberries. Not that you really want to buy fresh ones in October. Unless you don’t want your first born to go to college. That’s your choice not mine. BUT, frozen are key to ensure that your jam has enough moisture to get nice and THICK.
- I love you guys even more than I love Halloween.
- Above point isn’t really a cookie point. Buuuut I needed to fill two numbers. 🙂
Let’s get witchy with it.
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Paleo and Vegan Witch Finger Cookies
The classic witch fingers cookies get a healthy, gluten free, paleo AND vegan makeover! They're easy to make and always a hit at Halloween parties!
If you're looking for the vegan version of these witch finger cookies, see the * in the notes section!
Ingredients
- For the cookies:
- 1/4 Cup + 3 Tbsp Honey *
- 1/2 Cup Coconut oil at room temperature (should be the consistency of softened butter)
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Almond extract
- 1 Cup Coconut flour sifted (88g)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 16 sliced almonds
- For the strawberry jelly: **
- 3/4 Cup frozen strawberries thawed and roughly chopped (170g - measured when fully thawed and soft)
- 2 Tbsp Honey *
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the honey and coconut oil and smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla and almonds extracts and beat once more.
- Add the coconut flour and salt into the bowl and stir until well combined, and a wet dough forms. Scrape the dough onto a large piece of saran wrap and wrap into a flat, thin disc. Place into the refrigerator until firm and roll-able, about 25-30 minutes.
- While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan, combine the chopped berries and honey and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook the berries, stirring frequently, until they become very thick and smooth, about 13-14 minutes. Make sure to really keep an eye at them near the end of cooking time, so they don't burn.
- Transfer the berry mixture to a bowl and mash with a fork. Place into the refrigerator to set up.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll 1 Tbsp sized balls into 4 inch long finger-shapes, that are about 1/2 an inch thick. Place onto the prepared baking sheet and firmly press an sliced almond into the tip of the finger, to create fingernails. Remove the almond before baking. Then, using a small, sharp knife, make several horizontal, shallow cuts just under the finger nail, and then in the center of each finger, to represent knuckles. Lightly press in the dough on either sides of the knuckles to shape them. Place the whole pan into the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Once frozen, bake the cookies until golden brown, and lightly crackly (the cracks are normal, don't worry!) about 12-13 *** minutes. Let cool on the pan COMPLETELY.
- Once cooled, dip the bottom of the finger into the strawberry jam, so it looks like it's been cut off. Then, fill the finger nail space with a dollop of the jam, and press in a sliced almond.
- DEVOUR.
Recipe Notes
Use equal parts agave for vegan
*You will only use about half of the jam, but it's hard to make a smaller amount with it burning.
***I found that using agave required a few more minutes of baking time, just 1 or 2 more minutes!
Store cookies in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. They will become crunchy, as the coconut oil will harden once chilled. Just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving, if you like a softer cookie.
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Want more healthier Halloween treats
Gluten Free Brownie Pumpkin Mini Cheesecakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Ghost Cups
Skillet Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie with Candy Corn
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Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
October 7, 2015 at 2:03 amHaha. This post. 😀 I don’t even know where to start! These fingers look SO amazing. Good job on the knuckle cutting! I know it can be tempting to cut too deep in an attempt for extra creepy fingers. 😉 Loved all the tips, too!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:57 amHaha YES! I did have a few broken fingers 😉 Thanks lady!
lindsay says
October 7, 2015 at 4:27 amI’m off to amazon to get all this! i need to scare my nieces and nephews! ;;-)
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:57 amHaha thanks girl!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
October 7, 2015 at 5:00 amMy hubs is a huge fan of Halloween and even dresses up in a scary costume to hand out candy. These witch finger cookies are so spooktacular and fun! Love that they’re paleo too!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:56 amLove it! We do the same! Thanks girl!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
October 7, 2015 at 5:12 amThis is such a good idea for a healthier halloween treat! It actually spooks me out how much these look like real fingers!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:55 amHaha thank you!! My work here is done 😉
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
October 7, 2015 at 5:20 amOkay WHAT THE HELL?
That is said in the best way possible. I can’t wait for Halloween now 😀
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:37 amHaha isnt it the best! Thanks!
Beth says
October 7, 2015 at 5:44 amI live for cute halloween treats, so these witchy fingers are totally stealing my heart!! Pinning!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 6:37 amI knew you’d be all over them! Thanks!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
October 7, 2015 at 9:53 amOh my goodness, these are genius!! These are seriously about the most genuine spooky edible things I think I’ve ever seen, they’re so realistic! You ROCK!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 4:05 pmYOU ROCK for being so awesome and making my day with your comment! Thank you Kimberly!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
October 7, 2015 at 10:00 amThese fingers are disgusting!!! Haha! Which obviously means you did a brilliant job! Wow, and they’re paleo too! Amazing! Great round up of healthy and scary Halloween treats! Good job, ladies!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 4:05 pmHahaha I love it! Thank you for dissing my fingers Christina! 😉
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
October 7, 2015 at 10:48 amThese are legit so cute! I love the ingredient list, no one would feel bad serving these to the kiddos!! You were so creative with this, I just love it!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 4:04 pmRight! It’s all about sneaking in something healthy with all that candy! Thank you Sam!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
October 7, 2015 at 4:18 pmFirst of all, I love Halloween. But i think you win. I can never think of anything clever to make. Lucky for me, I am friends with you and your genius self has got me covered!! Soooooo lovin’ these finger cookies! The perfect amount of spook per yum! Hallow-happenin’ in this house come time for trick or treatin’! Pinned! P.s. my parents totally gave me a pillow case to use AND “checked” my candy by taking half of it to eat for themselves! ‘Rents- a bunch of sketchballs I tell ya!
Taylor Kiser says
October 7, 2015 at 4:30 pmYES the spook per yum ratio is definitely on point 😉
I am SO glad we both had sketchball rents too girl! Thanks!
Michelle says
October 7, 2015 at 5:08 pmThose fingers look creepy! And I bet they are delicious too! Well done!
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 5:42 amThank you so much Michelle!
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
October 7, 2015 at 5:29 pmthese all look so cool! and I love that the fingers are vegan!!! these would freak the crap outa my nephew lol but then he would think they are awesome!!! 😉
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 5:42 amHaha, that’s the point! Scare them half to death and then console them with the deliciousness! You got it! 😉 Thanks Michele!
Teffy @ Teffy's Perks says
October 7, 2015 at 7:22 pmOMG OMG OMG! Those witch fingers look soooo cool, it was such a mix of emotions as I burst out laughing at how awesome they are while also having an urge to eat them – even though they really do look like witch fingers. Am I a bit weird? Hope not.
X
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 5:42 amHahaha you are not weird at all Teffy, I TOTALLY get you girl! I think I have the same reaction to them and I made them! 😉 Thanks!
GiGi Eats says
October 7, 2015 at 8:44 pmHe HE He! Those fingers actually look gross (because they’re FINGERS! lol), but I know they taste AMAZING!! Nicely done – ha ha! Perfect for this upcoming HOLIDAY!
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 5:41 amThanks chica!! Glad you approve!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
October 8, 2015 at 5:26 amTaylor, OK I freaking love these witch fingers. . I’m actually off to party city today to grab ping pong scary eyeballs! and I’m getting dry ice. . what we do for Halloween!!!! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 5:40 amThat is AWESOME!!! I LOVE Halloween…can I come? 😉 Thanks!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
October 8, 2015 at 7:28 amAhhh….so I secretly hate halloween because I’m so scared! Of everything! I can’t even watch TV this time of year because the commercials for the scary things freak me out. Big wimp right here. Sad face. These cookies are so fun!
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 2:50 pmWHAT!!! NO that is so sad, scary movies are my jam! But thanks girl!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
October 8, 2015 at 9:00 am1) These are SOOO creepy and i love them. i would probably have put them over my own fingers and somehow taken a photo like that because it would be hilarious
2) “Unless you don’t want your first born to go to college” hahahah this made me laugh out loud
Taylor Kiser says
October 8, 2015 at 2:49 pm1. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT. YOU’RE GENIUS!
2. I am glad you don’t think I’m too nuts 😉
Thanks Beverley!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
October 8, 2015 at 3:05 pmAll of these eyeballs and fingers are seriously creeping me out! Great Halloween roundup, very spooky!
Taylor Kiser says
October 9, 2015 at 6:33 amThank you Allie!
Cassie says
October 11, 2015 at 7:37 amThe witch fingers sound so clever! Yummy!
Taylor Kiser says
October 11, 2015 at 5:29 pmThanks heaps lady!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
October 15, 2015 at 9:37 amOh my gosh, these are the coolest Halloween treat I’ve seen yet! They look AMAZING!!
Taylor Kiser says
October 17, 2015 at 5:20 amYou are the sweetest girl! Thank you!
Vee says
September 23, 2016 at 10:10 amThis does look cool! Totally psyched me out calling it vegan though! Honey isn’t vegan… Maybe I’ll try it with maple syrup or agave!
Taylor Kiser says
September 23, 2016 at 5:20 pmHi Vee! As noted in the recipe with the *the notes say to use agave for a vegan version as I know honey is not vegan! Thank you!
Georgina Lopez says
October 23, 2016 at 4:32 pmWorthless recipe. This does not work! Don’t waste your time. The fingers completely melt and do not hold their shape.
party themes and decorations supplies says
October 26, 2016 at 12:01 amPerfect for Halloween party!
Taylor Kiser says
October 26, 2016 at 5:49 amYes! Thank you!
Colette says
October 28, 2016 at 12:28 pmWondering if there is anyway to add pb to the cookie mixture? It would be awesome to have PB&J fingers! ALso I’m a little nervous about using the coconut oil as I don’t often have much luck. The only comment on here says that they didn’t work out.
Taylor Kiser says
October 28, 2016 at 12:56 pmI’m sorry, I really have no way of knowing that as the recipe wasn’t developed that way.
I personally have tried this recipe MANY times and have always had success. It’s REALLY important to weigh your flour to ensure accurate results. I personally don’t think peanut butter would work, but please let me know if you try ir!
Priscilla says
October 31, 2016 at 3:15 pmHi Taylor! I came across your recipe yesterday and decided to make them today! No matter what I do or how long I leave them in the freezer, the moment I place them in the oven, they melt. Did I do something wrong? Do you have any advice on how I can fix this? I really wanted to make this for the kids 🙁
Taylor Kiser says
October 31, 2016 at 3:20 pmThat is SO weird, because I had multiple people Instagram their witch fingers over the weekend with perfect results. The only thing I can think of is did you weigh your coconut flour? This is KEY to making sure you’re using the correct amount. Let me know!
Priscilla says
October 31, 2016 at 3:31 pmThat’s probably it! Dang it lol. I’ll try them next halloween, I guess. Thank you so much for replying, Taylor! Happy Halloween!
Taylor Kiser says
November 1, 2016 at 7:46 amI am so sorry you didn’t get them this Halloween! You can have a belated party 😉 Happy to help – hope your Halloween was still great! 🙂
Maura says
October 26, 2018 at 1:11 pmCan you make thisxwith tecular flour. I just like the recipe but I’m not on paleo diet
Taylor Kiser says
October 26, 2018 at 1:24 pmNo you can’t, they’re not interchangeable. Sorry!