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Cuccidati, also known as Sicilian Fig Cookies are traditionally served during the holidays. In my family, we enjoyed them year-round. The sweet dough is similar to that of a butter cookie and the filling is a mixture of dried figs, dried dates, raisins, walnuts, chocolate, apricot jam, honey, and spices.
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5 from 3 votes

Cuccidati - Sicilian Fig Cookies

Cuccidati, also known as Sicilian Fig Cookies are traditionally served during the holidays.The sweet dough is similar to that of a butter cookie and the filling is a mixture of dried figs, dried dates, raisins, walnuts, chocolate, apricot jam, honey, and spices.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time20 minutes
Cool10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: cookies
Servings: 48 cookies
Author: Joanie Zisk

Ingredients

DOUGH

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg , beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 16 tablespoons butter , cut into pieces (2 sticks)
  • 1/2 cup milk

FILLING

  • 2 1/2 cups dried figs
  • 1 cup dried dates
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup apricot jam
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

EGG WASH

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • colored sprinkles (for decorating)

Instructions

TO MAKE THE DOUGH

  • In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the egg and the vanilla.
  • Add the butter and using a pastry/dough blender, two knives, or your fingers, cut in the butter. You want the mixture to be a cornmeal or pebble-like consistency.
  • Add the milk and mix it into the dough. Using your hands, make a large roll with the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and place in in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.

TO MAKE THE FILLING

  • In a food processor, combine the figs, dates, and raisins and process to finely chop.
  • Add the walnuts, chocolate chips, apricot jam, honey, orange zest, and cinnamon and process again. (If your food processor isn't big enough to hold the entire amount of filling, process in batches, then pour the filling into a large bowl and stir to combine).

TO ASSEMBLE THE CUCCIDATI

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Cut the dough into 4 pieces.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough, one piece at a time. Cut the dough into long strips about 3-inches wide.
  • Cut out squares from the rectangle strips. Flatten the squares slightly with your fingers and add a spoonful of the fig filling to the center.
  • Fold the dough over, pinching the ends. Using a sharp knife, make 2 slits in each cookie. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and the water to make the egg wash. Brush the egg wash over each cookie.
  • Top with sprinkles.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, until cookies are golden brown.