I thought I’d make a fun treat this Halloween, one that would make people giggle… or perhaps shiver! I decided to bake a spooky but delicious batch of Mushroom Witches’ Fingers, made with foraged mushrooms, topped with cheesy nails, and dripping with blackberry blood. Crumbly and spooky!
The other evening, while walking along the fields, I spotted more of those plump field mushrooms.
I was thrilled and picked the ones I could see.
What made the walk even more exciting was a friendly cat meowing from afar, running straight toward me as if summoned by a spell, haha! She wasn’t mine, but she tried to climb onto me for cuddles and strokes, purring like we’d known each other forever.
This kitty stayed until I got my mushrooms!
When I got home, I cleaned them.
Then I dried the older mushrooms, not knowing they’d come in handy today. But as I looked at the jar, I suddenly thought of Mushroom biscuit fingers for a Halloween snack.
So, I reheated the dried mushrooms for a few minutes to crisp them, making them easier to grind.
I strained for a finer flour.
Ready for the recipe. Yes, it is a Halloween smile. :)
Here it is...
Wild Mushroom Witches’ Fingers with Cheese Nails and Blackberry Blood
Ingredients
For the dough:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp wild mushroom powder (darker gills for dark colour dough)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup grated Parmesan or aged cheddar
1 egg
½ tsp fresh rosemary or thyme, finely chopped
A pinch of black pepper
For decoration:
Thin slices or shavings of firm Parmesan cheese cut into triangle “nail” shapes
Beaten egg (to help stick the cheese on)
For dipping and decorating "blood".
Blackberry jam I foraged last summer.
🕯️ Instructions
Make the dough:
Mix the flour, mushroom powder, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
In another bowl, beat the butter, cheese and egg.
Blend until creamy.
Mix the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Add herbs.
Mix until a firm dough forms. Chill for 15-20 minutes if soft.
Shape the fingers:
Divide the dough into roughly equal portions.
Roll the dough into finger shapes of the desired size. Pinch for knuckles.
Score wrinkles with a knife.
Press a small triangle of cheese onto the tip of each finger.
If needed, brush a touch of beaten egg underneath to help it adhere.
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 15-18 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the cheese nails are just melted and set.
Cool:
Let them rest, they’ll crisp slightly as they cool.
🕯️ For the Blackberry “Blood” Dip
3 tbsp blackberry jam
1 tsp balsamic vinegar or water
Heat in a small pan for 1-2 minutes until glossy and syrupy.
Use the jam to decorate and dip your witchy fingers.
Not bad (do they look like fingers?) lol.
But oh my, this finger is so delicious!
The wild mushroom flavour really stands out, the biscuit is crumbly and buttery, and cheesy. My favourite part was the crispy nail!
It goes well with the blackberry jam!
It was delicious with homemade blackberry wine!
A nice, savoury-sweet treat this Halloween!
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Mariah :)