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    You are here: Home / Desserts / Cuccidati - Italian Fig Cookies

    Cuccidati - Italian Fig Cookies

    Published December 21, 2021   ·   Last updated June 22, 2022   ·   By Pina   ·   Leave a Comment

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    Multiple cuccidati Italian fig cookies on parchment paper surrounded by figs and nuts paper

    Cuccidati (or cucciddati) are a traditional Sicilian Christmas cookie made with shortcrust dough and filled with a delicious blend of dried figs, raisins, chocolate, nuts, jam, and marsala wine.

    Whether you need a cookie to add to your Christmas menu, or you just want a delicious treat to share at your next gathering, Italian fig cookies are the perfect option. You can think of them as fig newtons (but so much better!), as they have similar ingredients and flavors. They're decadent, sweet, and moist--a homemade dessert that's always popular during the Christmas season.

    Here's why you should add these fig-filled cookies to your holiday table:

    • They're as traditional as it gets. If you're into traditional Italian cookies, this is a good one to make from scratch, as the recipe is very unique and sure to be a crowd pleaser!
    • They taste like Christmas. Cucciddati features ingredients that have warm, seasonal flavors, including figs, cinnamon, and chocolate.
    • They're easy to store. These cookies keep at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. They were developed a very long time ago when freezers didn't exist, so they were made to last a long time.
    • You can make them your own. Make changes to the cookies based on your preferences! There are many recipes for cuccidati out there, and every family makes them different. Don't want the marsala? Skip it! Don't want to add candied fruit? You can skip that too.
    Jump to:
    • 🍫 Ingredients you'll need
    • 📋 How to make Cuccidati: Step by Step
    • 💬 FAQ
    • 🍽 How to store
    • 📖 Freezing cuccidati
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍪 More Italian cookie recipes
    • Recipe
    Multiple cuccidati Italian fig cookies on parchment paper surrounded by figs and nuts paper

    🍫 Ingredients you'll need

    • For the dough: flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, baking powder, whole milk
    • For the filling: dried figs, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, apricot jam, marsala wine, candied orange and lemon peel, semi-sweet chocolate chips, raisins, orange zest, cinnamon
    • For the glaze: powdered sugar, egg white, lemon juice, sprinkles
    Cuccidati ingredients shot - bowls of nuts, dried figs, chocolate, candied citrus, raisins etc

    📋 How to make Cuccidati: Step by Step

    Make the dough

    In the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flour and butter. Mix until the butter is incorporated into flour and sand-like in texture.

    Add the butter, eggs, and baking powder and mix again. Next, add the milk. At this point, the dough should come together in a ball (photo 1)

    Remove the dough from the bowl, form it into a ball, cover in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes (photo 2)

    Make the filling

    Soak the figs and raisins separately in warm water for about 30 minutes (photo 3). Drain and place on a dish towel and pat dry. Cut the stems off the figs.

    Toast all the nuts in a pan over medium heat until fragrant (photo 4), then process them in a food processor until coarse (photo 5)

    Add the figs, marsala and jam to the food processor (photo 6) and process until a paste starts to form. Add the candied fruit, chocolate, and raisins. Process again.

    Add the cinnamon and orange peel, and process one final time. The consistency should be that of a thick paste (photo 9) Note you may have to work in two batches if the food processor is not large enough to fit all ingredients.

    Step by step process on how to make cuccidati #1-6

    Assemble and bake the cookies

    Remove the dough from the fridge, cut off a piece of the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle shape until about 3mm thick (photo 9)

    Place one quarter of the filling lengthwise on the dough and fold the dough over the filling creating a seam (photo 10). Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

    Place the log seam side down and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet (photo 11) and bake at 350F for approximately 20-25 minutes, until golden on the bottom. Let cool.

    Once the cookies are cool, make the glaze: In a bowl with a fork, mix together powdered sugar, egg white, and lemon juice.

    Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze (photo 12), and top with sprinkles immediately. Let the glaze harden. Serve and enjoy!

    Step by step process on how to make cuccidati #7-12

    💬 FAQ

    What does cuccidati mean in English?

    Cuccidati is a Sicilian dialect word, used to describe Sicilian Italian fig cookies that are filled with dried figs, nuts, jam, candied fruit, chocolate, and cinnamon.

    What are some other names for cuccidati?

    Cuccidati is also known as buccellati, Italian fig cookies, or Sicilian fig cookies.

    Where do cuccidati originate from?

    Cuccidati originated in southern Italy and Sicily in areas that have a strong Arab influence. It's a very old cookie recipe, most likely developed hundreds of years ago. Italian fig cookies were originally served at Christmastime which is why the continue to be so popular during the holiday season.

    Cuccidati (Italian fig cookies) on a plate surrounded by sprinkles and walnuts

    🍽 How to store

    One of the best parts about cuccidati is how easy they are to store. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, as the fig filling keeps them moist. For the best quality, they should be stored in a cake stand or airtight container.

    📖 Freezing cuccidati

    Whether you have leftover cuccidati from your holiday celebrations, or you want to make a big batch ahead of Christmastime, you can keep the cookies frozen for up to 3-4 months. Simply let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying!

    💭 Top tips

    • Figs to use: You can use turkish dried fish (light brown in color), or mission dried figs. Both will work well. Turkish figs are more commonly used in this recipe.
    • Depending on the size of your food processor, you may have to work in batches to make the filling.
    • Add the sprinkles to the cookies as soon as you dip the cookie in the glaze. The glaze hardens quickly, so the sprinkles won't stick if you wait too long

    🍪 More Italian cookie recipes

  • Nutella Cookies
  • Amaretti Cookies
  • Jam Cookies
  • Almond Swirl Cookies with Amarena Cherries
  • If you’ve tried making these Cuccidati, or any other recipe on the blog please let me know what you thought of it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’ve been up to.

    Recipe

    cuccidati Italian fig cookies
    5 from 3 votes
    Print

    Cuccidati - Italian Fig Cookies

    Cuccidati (or cucciddati) are a traditional Sicilian Christmas cookie made with short crust dough and filled with a delicious blend of dried figs, raisins, chocolate, nuts, jam, and marsala wine.

    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Servings 25 cookies
    Calories 334 kcal
    Author Pina Bresciani

    Ingredients

    For the dough

    • 3.5 cups 00 flour
    • ½ cup +2 tbsp unsalted butter
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ cup whole milk

    For the filling

    • 3 cups dried figs
    • ⅓ cup shelled pistachios unsalted
    • ½ cup walnuts unsalted
    • ⅓ cup natural almonds unsalted
    • ¼ cup hazelnuts unsalted
    • ⅓ cup apricot jam
    • ¼ cup marsala wine
    • ⅓ cup candied orange and lemon peel
    • ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
    • ¾ cup raisins
    • zest of half an orange
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    For the glaze

    • 1 ¼ cup + 2 tbsp powdered sugar sifted
    • 1 egg white
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • multicolored sprinkles

    Instructions

    Make the dough

    1. In the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flour and butter. Mix until butter is incorporated into flour and is sand-like in texture.

    2. Add the butter, eggs and baking powder and mix again. Add the milk, and at this point the dough should come together into a ball.

    3. Remove the dough from the bowl, form it into a ball, cover in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes.

    Make the filling

    1. Soak the figs and raisins separately in warm water for about 30 minutes. Drain and place on a dish towel and pat dry. Cut the stems off the figs.

    2. Toast all the nuts in a pan over medium heat until fragrant.

    3. Add the buts to a food processor and process until coarse.

    4. Add the figs, marsala and jam to the food processor and process until a paste starts to form.

    5. Add the candied fruit, chocolate and raisins. Process again.

    6. Add the cinnamon and orange peel, and process one final time. The consistency should be that of a thick paste. Note you may have to work in two batches if food processor is not large enough to fit all ingredients.

    Assemble and bake the cookies

    1. Remove the dough from the fridge, cut off a piece of the dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle shape until about 3mm thick.

    2. Place one quarter of the filling lengthwise on the dough and fold the dough over the filling creating a seam. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

    3. Place the log seem side down and cut into 1 inch pieces.

    4. Place the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for approximately 20-25 minutes, until golden on the bottom. Let cool.

    5. Once cookies are cool, make the glaze: In a bowl with a fork, mix together powdered sugar, egg white and lemon juice.

    6. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze, and top with sprinkles immediately. Let the glaze harden. Serve and enjoy!

    Recipe Video

    Recipe Notes

    • Figs to use: You can use turkish dried fish (light brown in color), or mission dried figs. Both will work well. Turkish figs are more commonly used in this recipe.
    • Depending on the size of your food processor, you may have to work in batches to make the filling.
    • Add the sprinkles to the cookies as soon as you dip the cookie in the glaze. The glaze hardens quickly, so the sprinkles won't stick if you wait too long
    Nutrition Facts
    Cuccidati - Italian Fig Cookies
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 334 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 4g25%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 26mg9%
    Sodium 16mg1%
    Potassium 280mg8%
    Carbohydrates 57g19%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 34g38%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 189IU4%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 60mg6%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    2

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    Hello! My name is Pina and I love Italian food and culture! Here you'll find delicious Italian-inspired recipes with a fresh west coast spin. Buon Appetito!

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