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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Monster Fingers - Parmesan Cheese Shortbread

    Published: Sep 13, 2019 · Modified: Jan 17, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments

    Delicious cheese crackers in the form of edible fingers - Any One? If you are looking for Halloween finger food ideas 😜— I'm your girl! Not to worry, if you aren't up to eating cheese crackers fashioned as edible fingers — you can also make this dough into simple round parmesan cheese crackers. Sometimes I even add in some herbs.

    Parmesan Shortbread Halloween Finger Cookies in a cup_
    Creepy fingers for your Halloween Party. Crispy Crunchy Cheesy Parmesan Shortbread Cookies.

    In case you didn't already know – I'm a forensic scientist. One of the hazards of this job is having a really inappropriate sense of humor.

    PRO TIP: Adding some fresh chopped rosemary makes these parmesan biscuits extra special. I didn't want the green specks in my fingers so I left out the rosemary this time.

    Recipe Notes

    I tried a few different versions of savory shortbread recipes and in the end, I went back to using the same basic butter shortbread formula that I use for my chocolate dipped shortbread cookies.

    Butter shortbread is made by adding just enough flour to mix to keep the butter in a crispy cookie-like state. There is a super high butter to flour ratio. It's a delicate balance.

    Because I was using the cheese in this recipe, I had to adjust things a little to get the right texture and consistency. Thankfully, these turned out better than I expected. Their actual real-finger-likeness was quite impressive.

    I only wish I could somehow make them look like they are dipped in blood without completely ruining their crispiness! I will have to get back in the lab and figure that one out for next year.

    Serving them with a marinara would probably be epic though!

    Parmesan Shortbread Halloween Finger Cookies
    Super cheesy! These creepy fingers look so real.

    In case you don't like eating finger-shaped Halloween food recipes.

    Here are the same savory Parmesan shortbreads in a more traditional parmesan cracker shape. Don't forget to add a little chopped rosemary to these to make them extra delicious.

    I will probably remix these and get some photos of the rosemary cheese biscuits on the blog in the near future. Keep an eye out for those.

    Sweets are something that I can always pass up. But crispy, salty, cheesy things – now that is a whole different story. These crispy little cheese biscuits are really addictive. They are kind of like gourmet adult Cheez-Its.

    I recommend giving some to friends and co-workers - or you just may eat them all yourself.

    Parmesan Shortbread biscuits
    These homemade cheese crackers are addictive!

    What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Shortbread?

    • All-Purpose Flour - I like King Arthur brand. (Because I'm a total nerd, here is an article on the science of different flours and when to use which kind.)
    • Butter (lots of butter) - I use Pulgra European Unsalted Butter.
    • Parmesan cheese - Use a high-quality Parmigianno-Reggiano
    • Egg yolks - My favorite eggs come from Vital Farms.
    • Sliced almonds - if you are making the Halloween Monster Finger version.

    How To Make Homemade Cheese Crackers

    These rules apply whether you are making savory or sweet shortbread.

    Equipment that makes the job easier.

    • Stand mixer
    • Marble pastry board
    • Pastry scraper
    • Plastic wrap
    • Parchment paper

    The Rules of Shortbread

    1. Everything should be at room temperature.
    2. Mix as little as possible. Overmixing makes your shortbread tough. You want tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.
    3. Refrigerate before baking.
    4. Bake until they are the perfect shade of lightly golden brown. Not too little and not too long. It's gotta be just right.

    More Halloween recipes that you might like.

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    SEE THE RECIPE
    Easy pumpkin cheesecake bars with cinnamon streusel and caramel sauce
    Creepy Bleeding Halloween Cupcakes
    Rich dark chocolate cupcakes filled with Amarena cherries, topped with a cream cheese buttercream and edible sugar glass shards, then decorated with edible blood. Happy Halloween
    SEE THE RECIPE PIN FOR LATER
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    5 Alarm Firehouse Chili
    The best homemade chili recipe. This is a spicy chili made with five different kinds of peppers, crushed tomatoes and spices. Chili is a one pot meal that is true comfort food.
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    Caramel Sauce
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    This donut is everything that a true old fashioned donut should be. The crumb is perfect and moist. The outside is crispy in that perfect-glazed-way. Plus it's full of amazing pumpkin pie flavor.
    SEE THE RECIPE PIN FOR LATER
    stack of pumpkin donuts

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    Parmesan Shortbread Halloween Finger Cookies in a cup featured photo
    Favorite Saved!

    Homemade Cheese Crackers — Halloween Monster Fingers

    Laura Reigel
    Halloween party food is super fun! What is better than shortbread monster fingers. This dough can be made into traditionally circular cookies as well!
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 18 mins
    Total Time 28 mins
    Course Cookies, Holiday, Snack
    Cuisine Halloween, Holiday
    Servings 36 cookies
    Calories 139 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer
    • marble pastry board
    • pastry scraper
    • plastic wrap
    • parchment paper
    • cookie baking sheets

    Ingredients
      

    Parmesan Shortbread Dough

    • 3 ¾ cups All-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 3 sticks Unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 ½ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
    • 3 Egg yolks
    • 2 tablespoon Sliced almonds 1 sliced almond per finger
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh rosemary optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add the butter to the bowl of a mixer and beat until even and slightly fluffy.
    • Add the cheese and salt. Mix until incorporated. 
    • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing between each one. 
    • Add the flour and rosemary (if using). Mix until mixture comes together and is the texture of coarse sand. 
    • Turn the dough out onto a board and mix by hand until mixture is fully incorporated.  (I use marble slab to keep the butter cool.)
    • Shape the dough into finger shapes, you should have about 36. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. 
    • Add one sliced almond to each finger, to represent a fingernail. 
    • Cover and refrigerate the dough for a few hours before baking. 
    • Preheat the oven to 325℉
    • Bake for about 18 minutes. Until lightly golden brown. (Oven temperatures may vary. Do not undercook)

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    This shortbread dough can also be used to make cheesy parmesan shortbread biscuits. 
    To make biscuits. Separate the dough into 3 equal sized portions and form into logs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours. Then slice and bake. 
    Parmesan Shortbread biscuits

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1fingerCalories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 198mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 0.7mg
    Keyword appetizers, holiday, party food, shortbread
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

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    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

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    Comments

    1. https://www.gapyear.com/members/trainslime26/

      September 26, 2019 at 1:18 am

      Nice blog! Is your theme custom mad orr did you download it from
      somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog
      jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks

      Reply
      • Laura

        September 26, 2019 at 5:10 pm

        I run the Genesis Framework and Mai Theme (Child Theme) You can find it on Studio Press.

        Reply

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