A microelectronic substrate may be formed to have an embedded trace which includes an integral attachment structure that extends beyond a first surface of a dielectric layer of the microelectronic substrate for the attachment of a microelectronic device. In one embodiment, the embedded trace may be fabricated by forming a dummy layer, forming a recess in the dummy layer, conformally depositing surface finish in the recess, forming an embedded trace layer on the dummy layer and abutting the surface finish, and removing the dummy layer.