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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

October 6: Gruesome Green Toes


The gruesomest green toes you ever did see

Have you ever wondered what Shrek's toes look like? 


 (What do you mean 'no'? What's wrong with you?) 
DreamWorks picture courtesy of Mashable

Well, wonder (or don't) no more, for today I bring you gruesome green toes worthy of a troll or even Frankenstein or any other green monster type whose toes might be green. (And speaking of Shrek, here's one of my fave scenes from the first installment. That gingerbread man and his "not the gumdrop buttons!" cracks me up every time.) 

Annnnnyway, this is another treat I've made before that was such a favorite (of my husband, in particular) that I had to share it here. 

It is frighteningly easy, more assembly than anything else, and ready to serve in around 30 minutes.

Assuming your kid's classroom is not a "peanut-free" zone, these would be a crowd-pleaser for a classroom Halloween party. If peanut butter is not allowed or not preferred, go ahead and substitute a long vanilla sandwich cookie like a Vienna Finger. The shape isn't exactly the same but, let's face it, this is a Halloween novelty dessert; no need to overthink things when the effect is similar, amiright?

I found the inspiration for this treat in my trusty old 2010 Taste of Home Holiday Halloween magazine, but I've simplified it even further from the original which called for chopping up and tinting your own white candy coating. Hello! They make those candy melts in green (multiple shades, in fact) so there's really no need to bother about doing anything more than microwaving and stirring.

Ready? 

Here's what you need: Nutter Butter (or Vienna Finger) sandwich cookies; a bag of green candy wafer melts (I used Dark Green); some candy to serve as the "toenail"- this year I used Giant brand Watermelon Wedges, halved width-wise so they lay flat


 The ingredients 
(Halloween kitchen towel, Kohls)

1. Line a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside. 
2. Melt the candy wafers in a microwaveable bowl according to package directions. 
3. Meanwhile, cut "toenail" candies in half and set aside.
4. Once candy coating is melted, work with one cookie at a time and dip into the melted coating, shaking off excess. (If you find your coating firming up in the bowl throughout the process, nuke it for another thirty-seconds at 50% power to thin it back down.)
5. Place dipped cookie on baking sheet then immediately place the "toenail" candy cut side down on the dipped cookie. (Use your finger or the back of a spoon to smooth any globs on the toe surface or to fill in any spots not covered by green melt-- for instance, where your fingers were holding the cookie as you dipped.)
6. Allow coating to set, about 15 minutes. 

Ingredient note: You have plenty of options for the toenail candy. The original recipe called for something called a Crow candy, halved lengthwise, as the toenail. A: My market didn't have any of those. B. They're black licorice flavored which is not a flavor my family prefers. So when I made these in the past, I used red licorice drops which I cut to the proper size. This year I saw these watermelon things and thought they looked interesting. Other ideas: regular gum drops or Dots candies. Have fun with it. That part is mostly aesthetic anyway since--not gonna lie here--the cookie tastes better sans nail.



Like my new graveyard serving plate? Me too! Found it at HomeGoods for only $4.99!

As you can see from the photo, your dipping doesn't have to be super precise. Those toes can be spotty, warty, thick, or crosshatched. Those monsters are gross, after all. Accordingly, this is a good activity to do with your kids, if you don't mind them getting green stuff all over themselves and the counter. Me? I worked alone on this job.




Gruesome Green Toes. 
Because there aren't nearly enough treats in the shape of extremities, in my opinion.

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