Italian Fig Cookies, traditionally known as Cucidati, have become a new Christmas tradition this year. These are the fanciest, most delicious not-too-sweet fig cookies that will wow your guests this holiday season.
Make Italian Fig Cookies and your home will smell like Christmas!
This giveaway has been sponsored by Valley Fig. I was sent a California Fig Care Package purpose creating this recipe, but all opinions are my own. #ad #VFigFeed #ValleyFigHolidays #12DaysofChristmas #giveaway
While I never met her, I’ve heard many stories about my great grandmother Florence who used to make do with very little. At Christmastime, she would make very simple cookies using a raisin filling wrapped in pie dough called Brambles. My great aunt Muriel passed them down to other members of the family and they are part of the Gile family lore, but not often made as they are a labor of love.
This recipe for Italian Fig Cookies remind me of Brambles in a way, but the flavors are more elaborate since the filling is loaded with figs, dates, golden raisins, almonds, honey, orange marmalade and cinnamon. The dough for Cucidati is so lovely to work with and it’s tender to the bite, too. I was afraid the thick fruit filling would ooze out of the cookies and make a mess in the oven and was pleasantly surprised to see that wasn’t the case. Baking these cookies is guaranteed to make your home smell like Christmas!
Eating two cups of fruit each day is recommended for a healthy diet, and figs are an excellent choice. They are loaded with dietary fiber, potassium and calcium. Plus, figs are also an incredible source of antioxidants that are believed to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. (Check out this “Eating for a Healthy Heart” article from the FDA.
When I’m putting together my Christmas cookie spread, I choose several simple to make recipes such as Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies, Funfetti Crinkle Cookies, or Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Then, I select one more challenging but impressive recipe, like these Italian Fig Cookies. These are a bit time consuming, but so worth it!
Italian Fig Cookies (Cucidati) Shopping List
- Unsalted Butter
- Eggs
- Sun Maid California Mission-Figs
- Pitted Dates
- Golden Raisins
- Orange
Candied Orange Peel
- Blanched Almonds
- Dark Spiced Rum
Sprinkles
From the pantry: all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, powdered sugar
Items you may also need:
- Stand Mixer
- Mixing and Prep Bowls, Liquid and Dry Measuring Cups
- Food Processor
- Baking Sheets and Silpat or Parchment Paper
- Plastic Wrap
- Spoonula, Rolling Pin, and Pastry Brush
For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.
How to Make Italian Fig Cookies
- Prepare the dough ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Chop the figs in half and remove the hard stem.
- Add the filling ingredients to the food processor and pulse until combined.
- Roll out the dough into rectangular strips.
- Spoon the filling down the center of the dough strips.
- Roll up and place on a cookie sheet seam side down.
- Cut into 1-1/2 pieces.
- Bake at 350-degrees F for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Make the icing with fresh squeezed orange juice and powdered sugar.
Pro Tip: If the figs are sticking to your knife, run it under hot water every now and then.
Variations for Italian Fig Cookies
I found many variations for Christmas Fig Cookies, Cucidati, and Sicilian Fig Cookies when I was doing research online. Because we test all our recipes, we recommend that you make them once just as it is without substitutions or changes. Sometimes variations can go awry. Making our Italian Fig Cookies as we have tested them will yield the best results. If you really want to get creative, here are some ideas for variations that might work well. (Please note, we have not tested these variations).
- If you prefer a less sweet cookie, omit the honey in the filling recipe.
- Instead of orange juice, use lemon juice, along with the zest, to play up the citrus notes in the cookies.
- If you do not want to use the rum, substitute it for more orange juice, but add some additional spices. Taste the mixture to see if you need to adjust and add other spices such as nutmeg and allspice or additional cinnamon to make up for the flavor.
About California Valley Figs
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Did you know that California produces 100% of US dried figs? California farmers started growing figs commercially in 1885 and today Golden Figs and Mission Figs are the two most popular varieties grown in the state. There are so many ways to use heart-healthy figs! Check out the Valley Fig website for more recipes ideas.
More Delicious Cookies:
Here are some of our favorite cookie recipes that are perfect for the holidays:
- Homemade Twix Cookies
- Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
- Chocolate Almond Biscotti
- Pumpkin Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Italian Fig Cookies
Make Italian Fig Cookies a part of your Christmas tradition this year! Don’t let the number of ingredients and steps deter you from making these Italian Fig Cookies. Make the dough ahead of time to shorten the process (it’s easier to work with when it’s cold anyhow). The filling all goes into your food process and comes together easily. These goodies are worth the time and effort!
Italian Fig Cookies
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the fig filling:
- 1 cup dried diced Calimyrna or Mission figs stems removed
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates finely chopped
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed about 1 orange
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1/3 cup unblanched almonds
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons dark spiced rum
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 2 to 3 teaspoons orange juice, fresh squeezed just enough to make a glaze you can slowly drizzle
- Sprinkles for decoration if desired
Instructions
For the dough:
- Add the flour, baking powder, sugars, and salt into a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse to mix.
- Add a little of the butter at a time, pulsing in between to combine.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and pulse until the dough forms a ball.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and divide in half. Wrap each piece in plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
For the filling:
- Toast the unblanched almonds in a skillet for a couple of minutes until you smell their nuttiness. Remove from the heat.
- Remove any hard stems from the figs and cut into a quarters.
- Into the food processor, add the prepared figs, pitted dates, toasted almonds, orange marmalade, golden raisins, candied orange peel, honey, dark rum and cinnamon.
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
- Roll the dough into a large rectangle and add the fig filling down the middle.
- Roll the dough into a long log, placing it seam-side down.
- Cut the dough into 1-1/2" pieces and place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
For the glaze
- In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the powdered sugar and orange juice. Whisk until the glaze is thickened. If it is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add a little more milk.
- Brush the top of each cooled cookie with the glaze. Add nonpareils or other sprinkles onto the top and let the glaze harden.
Tips for Storing and Making Ahead
- Once the glaze has hardened, store the cookies in an airtight container. Use parchment paper to layer the cookies.
- The dough can be made a day or two ahead, if desired. Be sure the dough is wrapped well in plastic wrap before refrigerating.
- Finished unglazed cookies can be frozen for a couple of weeks, but the glaze should be put on after they thaw.
I may have, but I honestly do not remember.I love figs. They are so underrated.
I haven’t used them before. I would probably make this recipe, it sounds delicious.
I have never used California Figs before. I don’t know why because my husband and I love them and I would really like my grandchildren to enjoy them too! I want to make these cookies. They look so much like a fig newton that my husband loves. He would be so surpised if I brpught out a plate of them to him!
They are similar but I’d say they’re so much better since they’re homemade! 🙂
I have not used California figs before, I don’t recall ever using figs, fig cookies would be nice to make
I’ve never used figs in a recipe, I always ate them plain which is oh so good.
I haven’t used them in a recipe but I like them as a snack.
I have not used them before. I would make cookies
Yes we have.
My kind of famous
fig bacon jam.
And, stuffed figs….so good
Made fig bars. No idea where the figs came from.
I’ve never used them before! I’d do this recipe if I won, looks yummy!
Hmm I ave only used ones from new zealand I think. Would add them to oatmeal or cookies
I haven’t, but I would love to try! I would add them to cookies!
I have used California figs before. I use them in desserts to sweeten.
I’ve never used figs in my baking.
I use figs in a seven layer bar that I make. I really like figs. I especially like using them in sweets.
I think I’ve tried CA figs before. I usually eat them plain, but maybe I would try them baked into a cake.
I have never used CA figs, but I would love to try them. I like fig cookies.
I haven’t tried them, but I love figs! I would make fig cookies.
Never cooked with them before but ate them plain. I would try to make fig Newton’s.
I’ve never used California figs before. I would definitely be making these cookies if I won. They look delicious! 🙂
I have used California figs before and would use them to try this recipe.
I have not ever used them before but I think I would make a fig pudding if I”m lucky enough to score this amazing prize pack!
I love to eat figs and would make fig bars. SO good!
I never used figs in a recipe, only to eat for a snack. After seeing these yummy Italian fig cookies…now I want to bake them soon!
I have never used California Figs before, but these pastry like cookies look so good. I love figs in baked goods, so I would definitely try this recipe.
I have never used California figs before. I would like to make some type of cookie like these out of them. My grandmother used to make Fig Cookies years ago!
I love Fig Newtons… but never thought about making my own. Would love to give it a try- thanks for sharing the recipe!
I’ve never cooked with figs before. I have bought fig cookies and fig jam, but I would recognize a fresh fig.
So many things have been scratched out as now not in the prize pack.
What is in it ..whats the prize..thanks. Confused.
My Grandma’s Fig Cake
My Mom’s Fig Cake
I’m a huge fan of figs and would use them in baking and I also saw a recipe for an anise pork with fig and apples that I’ve been wanting to try.
Granola Bars
I love figs: eaten straight from the bag, in cookies or salads. But the favorite way I’ve cooked them is on a pizza with caramelized onions, bacon and blue cheese. It was SO GOOD.
I have not, but we like Fig newtons. I would make those.
Yes I have tried these figs before. I would try the Italian fig cookie recipe.
I think an orange and fig cake would be nice with these.
That’s a great idea! I might have to test some new recipes! 🙂
I haven’t used California figs before
I’ve never baked with them but I love them plain.
I’ve definitely had them–figs are so good! I love pressed fig and almond cake–it’s so delicious and a “healthy dessert!”
I’d make fig jam. I have never cooked with figs.
I have never used them in a recipe before, but I really wanted to try your recipe now! I can’t wait to see how my family likes it. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
I have never had California Figs before but I would love to make fig jam with it like my grandmom used to.
I used to make chocolate dipped figs for my mother.. I’d love to try to make fig cookies
I have eaten figs before but not used them in a recipe.
I haven’t used them before. I would make vegan fig bars.
Make. Fig. Newton. Cobbler
I haven’t tried them yet. I would use them in one of my bread recipes.
i have not tried them before but my kids love fig newtons so i would attempt to make my own
I think I have eaten them before. I would love to make a twist on baklava rolls and use shopped figs and walnuts.
I have not used them before. I think I would eat them right out of the bag as a snack. I would also make them into a jam & use for thumbprint cookies.
I have never had a fig before but would love to try one!
I have never tried them.
I love California figs. Eat them plain, in oatmeal, in cookies, and a hundred other ways 🙂
I buy them all the time and would make homemade fig newtons
I have not used Valley Figs in my cooking. I do like figs and have them once in awhile in my kitchen.
Haven’t used that brand but I would use them in my oatmeal cookies. Also save some for my husband who loves figs with his peanut butter!
No I have not used the California figs but they sound delicious and I would be open to any recipe that sounds good, thanks!
I have ate figs but have never baked with them. I would love to try a cookie bar with figs in them. I wonder if brownies would be good with them? I know they are really good just eating them plain.
What’s Christmas 🎄 Without Figs!
I like figs for a snack.
Since I haven’t used figs in any of my recipes, I would try making them in a recipe I found online called Cuccidati. It’s a type of a Sicilian cookie that also includes raisins and dates too.
LOVE THE FIGS RECIPES!!!!!
I’ve never used this brand before. I would make this recipe because it’s an Italian tradition in my family.
We make big batches to share with everyone.
Those Italian Fig Cookies look amazing! Will definitely be making a batch of two.
I have used figs before because I have a wonderful recipe for a bread with figs.
I’ve had fig jam, which I loved, but I’ve never cooked with figs myself. I think it’s about time I tried, though! I think I would like to try using figs in a batch of protein bites.
I have used Californian figs before in a manner of speaking, I eat them straight up. Honestly after seeing your recipe I really want to give it a try.
I have not tried them yet. We love fig cookies so I would use them to make cookies
I am not sure, but I probably have used them before. I would be down for trying a bacon + fig appetizer recipe.
My favorite are the Calimyrna. I always have a bag of Sun-Maid in the pantry. Crostini with Honey & Gorgonzola & Figs is a quick app in a pinch.
Can you use fresh frozen figs along with the dried figs, raisins and dates for the filling? Does it change the texture of the ground up fig mixture?
Hi Angela, I have not tried making this filling with fresh frozen figs. My conceren would be excess moisture in the filling honestly.