Go ahead and try some delicious Cuccidati cookies this holiday season! These vibrant Italian treats have been mysteriously missing from your festive table spreads, but today, we're here to change that. If you've already got Lebkuchenplätzchen and anonymous cherry butter cookies on your baking list, it's about time to make room for some more tasty traditions.
Cuccidati, also known as Italian Fig Cookies, are classic Sizilian Christmas treats that you absolutely need to add to your repertoire. They are similar in appearance to Fig Newtons but boast a unique, homemade quality that sets them apart. Soft, buttery dough encases a sweet center filled with luscious figs and covered with a generous sprinkle of sugar and colored powder.
These colorful pastries are certain to ignite your curiosity and bring a dash of excitement to your sweet gathering. While they may not be as straightforward to prepare as Chocolate Sticks or Hemp Hearts, you can easily whip up the dough and fillings in a food processor.
Here's how you can make delicious Cuccidati cookies at home:
Making Cuccidati Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cold
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or substitute vanilla)
- 1 egg, cold
- 7 ounces (approximately 1 1/2 cups) dried figs
- 1/4 cup walnuts or almonds
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade or other fruit preserves
- 2 tablespoons liquor or orange juice (Brandy, Marsala, or apple cider)
- Orange zest
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons egg white
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Set up your food processor with the "S" blade attachments. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, and pulse a few times to combine.
- Cut the butter into cubes and add it to the food processor. Process until the butter is well-incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the almond extract (or vanilla extract) and the cold egg to the food processor, and blend until the dough comes together. You may need to do a little kneading by hand to ensure the dough forms a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- While the dough is chilling, prepare your filling by combining the dried figs, walnuts (or almonds), raisins, orange marmalade, liquor (or orange juice), and orange zest in the food processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture is well-combined, but still has some texture.
- Divide the chilled dough into two equal pieces and roll each piece into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured work surface. Spread an even layer of filling down the center of each rectangle, about 2 inches wide.
- Fold the two edges of each rectangle over the filling to meet in the center, creating a 2-inch-wide strip of filling in the middle. Cut the strips into 1-inch-wide pieces.
- Fold the pieces over once again to form a long log shape, and then twist the logs several times. Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into 1 1/2-inch rounds.
- Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about a 1-inch space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- To make a sugary glaze for the cookies, combine the confectioners sugar and egg white in a separate bowl. Whisk well until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain.
- If you'd like, add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze and mix thoroughly to achieve your desired color.
- Use a pastry brush or a backs of a spoon to coat each cookie with the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off the bottom. Sprinkle with sprinkles (if using) before the glaze sets.
- Let the glazed cookies dry completely before storing in an airtight container.
Serve these delightful Cuccidati cookies alongside other staple holiday treats, such as Chocolate Crinkle Cookies or Spiced Apple Cider, and enjoy sharing these traditional Italian delicacies with your loved ones.
Resources:
- provides a detailed recipe with step-by-step instructions for making Cuccidati cookies.
- shares a Cuccidati recipe, offering practical tips for achieving the perfect dough and filling.
- shares a recipe for Cuccidati, with a suggested filling made of figs, nuts, chocolate, citrus zest, and marzipan.
