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Crispy Witch Finger Pretzel Sticks: Easy Halloween Snack

crispy witch finger pretzel sticks - featured image
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A savory, spooky Halloween snack featuring pillowy soft pretzel dough shaped like witch fingers, boiled in a baking soda bath for authentic flavor, and topped with almond nails and coarse salt.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 4.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 ½ cups Warm Water (110°F/43°C)
  • 2 tablespoons Granulated White Sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Salt (for dough)
  • 1 large Egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • ⅔ cup Baking Soda (for boiling bath)
  • 10–12 Sliced Almonds (for nails)
  • Coarse Sea Salt (for topping)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and stir gently. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
  3. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, stirring until the dough becomes too thick to stir.
  4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
  5. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  7. Punch down risen dough and divide into 10-12 equal pieces.
  8. Roll each piece into a long, tapered log, shaping one end like a fingertip and the other like a knuckle. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  9. Cover shaped pretzels loosely and let rise again for 15 minutes.
  10. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully stir in baking soda.
  11. Working in batches, boil pretzels for 30 seconds, flipping once. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on baking sheets.
  12. Brush boiled pretzels with egg wash. Press a sliced almond onto the fingertip end of each pretzel and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  13. Bake for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown, rotating pans halfway through.
  14. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Notes

Ensure yeast is fresh by checking for foam in warm water. Do not overcrowd the boiling pot. The baking soda bath is essential for authentic pretzel flavor and color. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend. For vegan, substitute butter with oil and egg with a flax egg.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween snack, pretzel sticks, witch fingers, easy pretzel recipe, savory snack, holiday appetizer, gluten-free option, vegan option

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/crispy-witch-finger-pretzel-sticks-easy-halloween-snack/