LADIES FINGERS

Make these creepy confections that will beckon you from beyond the grave, right to your plate!

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tablespoons red food coloring
30 Blanched almonds
2 Large eggs
1/4 Teaspoon pur vanilla extract
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
1/2 Cup confectioners sugar
5 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1-2/3 Cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking
mats) or parchment paper, and set aside. 

Place food coloring in a shallow bowl.  Using a small paintbrush, color one rounded
half of each almond.  Set aside to dry. 

Separate 1 egg.  Set aside the white.  In a small bowl, whisk together yolk, remaining
egg, and vanilla.  Set aside. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter,
confectioners sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.  Beat on medium speed until well
combined.  Add egg mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Add the flour,
and mix on low speed just until incorporated.  Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill
until firm, 20 to 30 minutes. 

Divide the dough in half.  Work with one piece at a time, keeping remaining dough
covered with plastic wrap and chilled.  Divide the first half into fifteen pieces.  On a
lightly foured surface, roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes,
3 to 4 inches long.  Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles.  Score each knuckle
lightly with the back of a small knife.  Transfer fingers to prepared baking sheets. 
Repeat with remaining dough. 

When all fingers are formed, brush lightly with egg white.  Position almond nails;
push into dough to attach. 

Bake untily lightly browned, about 12 minutes.  Cool completely.