Description
Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) are a traditional Italian treat filled with a rich mixture of dried figs, raisins, and walnuts, spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The soft dough is rolled around the flavorful filling, baked until golden, and finished with a sweet glaze and festive sprinkles. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, especially during the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups dried figs, stems removed
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Zest of 1 lemon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract and orange zest.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough is smooth.
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a food processor, combine the figs, raisins, and walnuts. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add honey, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and lemon zest, and pulse until the mixture is well-blended.
- Assemble the Cookies:
- Roll each dough portion into a rectangle about ¼-inch thick.
- Spread the filling along the center of each dough strip.
- Fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges to seal.
- Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake:
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies are golden.
- Make the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and garnish with sprinkles.
Notes
- Chill the dough: Refrigerating the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to roll out and handle.
- Customize the filling: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking, or add other dried fruits such as apricots or dates.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15mg