Frightful Fingers

1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup ground pecans
Red food coloring and blanched or slivered almonds (optional)

Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Beat butter and sugar in bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and salt. Add flour, 1/4 cup at a time, blending well after each addition. Stir in pecans. Dough will be heavy.

Using 1 heaping tablespoonful per cookie, shape dough into "fingers" about 3 inches long and 3/4 inch in diameter.

Place dough on prepared cookie sheet. Using a knife, lightly score "fingers" a few times across center and near top to resemble knuckles. "Paint" almonds with food coloring and press into top of each cookie to resemble fingernail," if desired. Or make an indentation in top of cookie to resemble "fingernail."

Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets. Remove to wire rack; cool completely.