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Cuccidati

Cuccidati, or fig cookies, are a delightful Italian treat filled with a mixture of figs, nuts, and spices, wrapped in a buttery dough, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 190
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 400 g dried figs
  • 130 g raisins
  • 145 g almonds
  • 110 g walnuts
  • 170 g honey
  • 60 ml liqueur (brandy, bourbon, or marsala)
  • 15 g orange zest
  • 5 g cinnamon
  • 2 g ground cloves
For the Pastry Dough
  • 440 g flour
  • 150 g granulated sugar
  • 10 g baking powder
  • 3 g salt
  • 230 g cold unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
For the Glaze
  • 168 g powdered sugar
  • 45 ml whole milk
  • decorative sprinkles for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Blend the dried figs, raisins, almonds, walnuts, honey, liqueur, orange zest, cinnamon, and ground cloves in a food processor until smooth.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cut in the cold unsalted butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Add the eggs and mix until combined.
  5. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Assembling and Baking
  1. After chilling, roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 0.5 cm (0.2 in).
  2. Cut the dough into rectangles or squares.
  3. Place a spoonful of the fig filling onto each dough piece.
  4. Fold the dough over and seal the edges to form cookies.
  5. Preheat the oven to 175°C (347°F) and bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Decoration
  1. Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar and whole milk to make a sweet glaze.
  2. Drizzle over the cookies and sprinkle with decorative sprinkles.
  3. Allow the glaze to set.

Notes

Cuccidati can be served as a delightful dessert or snack, perfect for any gathering. They pair wonderfully with coffee or tea, making them a great addition to afternoon tea parties. For festive occasions, consider arranging them on a platter with other holiday treats. Enjoy them fresh or store them in an airtight container for a delightful sweet bite over several days.