Let me take you on a delicious journey to Sicily with my beloved Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe, a warm and sweet treat that’s bursting with rich fig filling and a tender, buttery dough. These cookies are the perfect balance of fruity, nutty, and spiced flavors, wrapped up in a golden pastry that simply melts in your mouth. Whether you’re seeking an authentic holiday delight or a new favorite to share with your loved ones, this recipe brings festive cheer and a touch of old-world charm right to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every single ingredient in this Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe plays a starring role, coming together to create an irresistibly textured and flavorful experience. From the rich butter that makes the dough tender to the blend of dried fruit and nuts that fills each bite with natural sweetness and crunch, every component counts.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation for a soft, yet sturdy cookie dough that holds the filling perfectly.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough without overpowering the filling.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: Helps the dough rise slightly for a light, tender texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dough.
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter (cubed): Essential for a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the dough and adds richness.
- ¼ cup milk: Keeps the dough moist and workable.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the dough.
- 1 ½ cups dried figs (stems removed): The star of the filling, offering natural sweetness and chew.
- ½ cup raisins: Complement the figs with extra fruity bursts.
- ½ cup walnuts: Bring a lovely crunch and a woody flavor.
- ½ cup almonds: Add texture and a nutty sweetness.
- ¼ cup honey: Sweetens and binds the filling with a floral note.
- ¼ cup orange juice: Adds a refreshing citrus lift for balance.
- 1 teaspoon orange zest: Intensifies the orange flavor and brightens the filling.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Brings warmth and that signature holiday spice.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Adds an aromatic hint that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: For the glaze—adds a sweet finishing touch.
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk: Adjusted to make the perfect smooth glaze consistency.
- Colored sprinkles (optional): For a festive and playful sparkle on top.
How to Make Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Then, cut in the cold butter cubes using a pastry blender or your fingers until you get a coarse crumbly mixture—that will give your dough gorgeous flakiness. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to blend the wet ingredients. Gradually mix the wet into the dry ingredients until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Shape the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up, which helps when rolling out later.
Step 2: Making the Fig Filling
While the dough chills, pulse the dried figs, raisins, walnuts, and almonds in a food processor until finely chopped but not completely smooth—you want a nice texture. Next, add honey, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves to the processor and pulse until you achieve a thick, sticky paste that holds together well. This luscious filling is what makes these cookies so unforgettable.
Step 3: Assembling the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ⅛ inch thick—thin enough to be tender but strong enough to hold the filling. Cut the dough into 3-inch wide strips. Spoon a generous line of the fig filling down the center of each strip, then carefully fold the dough over and pinch the edges to seal in the filling. Turn seam side down and cut each strip into 1½-inch cookies. Place them spaced out on your baking sheets.
Step 4: Baking and Glazing
Bake the cookies for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they turn a lovely light golden color. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with milk until smooth and drizzlable. Once the cookies are cool, decorate them with the glaze and sprinkle with colored sprinkles for a festive touch. Let the glaze set before serving or storing.
How to Serve Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies look and taste amazing with a simple glaze and a scatter of colorful sprinkles to brighten up any gathering. For a rustic touch, you could also dust them lightly with powdered sugar or finely chopped nuts on top, adding an extra hint of sweetness and crunch.
Side Dishes
Italian Fig Cookies are a perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of espresso or tea, making them ideal for an after-dinner treat or holiday coffee break. They also pair beautifully with a glass of dessert wine or spiced mulled wine, bringing out the rich fruit and spice notes in the cookie’s filling.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming gift, arrange your Italian Fig Cookies on a beautiful platter, line a festive tin with parchment paper, or stack them carefully in a decorative jar tied with a ribbon. They also make wonderful favors for holiday parties or a sweet surprise tucked into lunchboxes for a special touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, which is rare because these cookies disappear quickly, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and tender for up to one week, maintaining that perfect balance of soft dough and chewy fig filling.
Freezing
You can freeze both the dough and the filling ahead of time if you want to prep in advance. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic and seal in a freezer bag for up to three months. The filling can be frozen in an airtight container. When ready to bake, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before assembling.
Reheating
To enjoy these cookies as if freshly baked, gently warm them in a preheated oven at 300ºF (150ºC) for 5 to 7 minutes. This lightly heats the cookies without drying them out, revitalizing the warmth and aromas of your Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe.
FAQs
What makes Cucidati different from other fig cookies?
Cucidati are uniquely Sicilian with a rich, spiced fig and nut filling wrapped in a tender buttery dough, often glazed, giving them a festive and authentic character characteristic of Italian holiday traditions.
Can I substitute other nuts for walnuts and almonds?
Absolutely! Pecans, hazelnuts, or even pistachios can personalize the cookies to your liking, adding different textures and flavors while keeping the cookie’s spirit intact.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
While the original recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you could experiment with a gluten-free flour blend that handles baking well. Just be mindful the texture might vary slightly, and additional binders may be needed.
Do I have to use fresh orange juice and zest?
Fresh orange juice and zest provide the best bright citrus notes that balance the filling’s sweetness. However, bottled juice and pre-packaged zest can work in a pinch but expect slightly less vibrant flavor.
How long do the cookies last after glazing?
Once glazed, the cookies are best enjoyed within a few days for optimal texture and flavor, as the glaze can soften and the dough may lose some crispness over time.
Final Thoughts
Making these Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe is like inviting a piece of Sicily into your home. They bring warmth, tradition, and a deliciously sweet surprise to your kitchen, perfect for creating joyful memories with family and friends. I truly hope you’ll give this recipe a try—it’s a festive favorite that never fails to impress and delight!
Print
Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Italian Fig Cookies, also known as Cucidati, are traditional Sicilian Christmas treats featuring a tender buttery dough filled with a sweet and spiced fig, raisin, and nut mixture. These delightful cookies are baked to a golden perfection, then drizzled with a simple powdered sugar glaze and optionally adorned with colorful sprinkles, making them an irresistible holiday favorite.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling:
- 1 ½ cups dried figs, stems removed
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup almonds
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- Colored sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry, mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Make the filling: In a food processor, combine figs, raisins, walnuts, and almonds. Pulse until finely chopped. Add honey, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Pulse until the mixture becomes a thick, sticky paste. Set aside.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Roll and shape the cookies: On a floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips approximately 3 inches wide. Spoon a line of filling down the center of each strip, then fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal securely. Place the sealed dough seam side down and cut into pieces about 1½ inches long. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake cookies for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare and apply the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk until smooth to create a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and optionally sprinkle with colored sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- These cookies are a traditional Christmas treat and are perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Both dough and filling can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for convenience.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
