Description
Traditional Italian Cuccidati cookies filled with a rich blend of figs, nuts, citrus, and spices wrapped in tender pastry and topped with icing and sprinkles.
Ingredients
3.5 cups (437.5 g) Flour
1 tbsp (12 g) Baking powder
2/3 cup (133.33 g) Sugar
6 oz (170.1 g) Butter
2 Eggs
1 tbsp (13 g) Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1–3 tbsp (14.79 ml) Milk, if needed
18 oz (510.29 g) Dried figs
3–4 tbsp (44.36 g) Candied orange/lemon peel
2 tbsp Orange juice
1/2 cup (72.5 g) Raisins
2 oz (56.7 g) Dark chocolate
1/4 cup (29.25 g) Walnuts, more to taste
1/4 cup (35.75 g) Almonds, more to taste
1 tbsp (8 g) Cinnamon
1 Egg white
1/2 cup (60 g) Confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp (2.46 ml) Lemon juice
Colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Soak the dried figs in hot water for 30 minutes, then pat dry.
- Process figs, candied peel, and orange juice until smooth.
- Chop nuts and chocolate, or pulse them in a processor.
- Combine fig paste with nuts, chocolate, raisins, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Prepare the dough by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cold butter.
- Mix until the texture is fine, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix until a dough forms, then shape into a ball.
- Add milk as needed if the dough is dry.
- Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into rectangles.
- Roll fig filling into logs and place near one edge of dough rectangles.
- Fold dough over filling, sealing edges with water.
- Place logs seam-side down and cut into 1-inch cookies.
- Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool cookies on a wire rack.
- Beat egg white until foamy, add lemon juice, then beat in confectioners sugar until soft peaks form.
- Ice cooled cookies and add sprinkles.
- Allow icing to dry fully before storing.
Notes
Add more nuts for extra texture.
Use milk chocolate for a sweeter taste.
Add nutmeg or clove for a more spiced flavor.
Citrus zest can brighten the filling.
Dough can be chilled overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
