Ingredients:
1 cup salted butter – softened,
1 cup powdered sugar,
1 large egg,
1 teaspoon almond extract,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour,
Whole almonds,
Green food colouring,
Red decorating gel.
Preparation:
In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla extracts until fluffy. Add one or two drops of green food colouring. Incorporate the flour and salt to wet mixture and beat just until moistened. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Working quickly, roll heaping tablespoon of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in center to create “knuckle” shape. Using a small knife, make slashes in several places to complete the look of the knuckle.
Place on prepared baking sheets and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until pale golden. Let cool for 3 minutes. Lift up almond, squeeze red decorating gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place, so gel oozes out from underneath.
Remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks.
For 4 persons.
Style: Mediterranean.
Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation time: 45 minutes.
Cooking time: 25 minutes.