Description
These Italian Fig Cookies (cuccidati) feature a delightful fig and almond filling wrapped in flaky pastry. Perfect for the holidays, they combine tradition and flavor, making them a memorable treat for family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 medium egg
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups soft dried figs
- 1 cup roasted almonds
- 5 oz dark chocolate
- 4 oz candied orange peel
- 4 oz honey
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- zest of 1 small orange
- 1 pasteurized egg white, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the Shortcrust Pastry: Combine flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla extract into a smooth dough, wrap, and chill for 2 hours.
- Roast the Almonds: Preheat oven to 340°F, roast almonds for 8-10 minutes, and let cool.
- Prepare the Fig Filling: Chop figs, almonds, dark chocolate, mix with candied orange peel, honey, cinnamon, and orange zest.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F, line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: Divide chilled dough into pieces, roll into rectangles about 11×5 inches.
- Shape the Cookies: Place fig filling logs in pastry centers, fold, seal, and cut into cookies.
- Bake: Bake cookies for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool the Cookies: Let cookies cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Icing: Beat egg white, gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice until thick and glossy.
- Decorate: Drizzle or dip cookies in icing and add sprinkles before it sets.
Notes
For best texture, measure flour accurately. Use a gluten-free blend if needed.
You can easily make the filling vegan by substituting honey and egg whites with alternatives.
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 53mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg