Name: Italian Fig Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 1 cup + 1½ tablespoons all purpose flour ((135 grams total)); ⅓ cup powdered sugar (sifted); 1 pinch salt*; ¼ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ cup +½ tablespoon butter (softened)*; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg (room temperature); 5¼ ounces dried figs (chopped) either Calimyrna or Mission figs; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest; 2 teaspoon granulated sugar; 2-3 tablespoons fig water; 1-2 tablespoons milk; 1-2 tablespoons Demerara sugar; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

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These Italian Fig Cookies are also known as Cucidati, a tasty fig filling in a sandwiched between a buttery Italian cookie dough. The perfect cookie to have with an afternoon or morning tea or coffee!

Fig cookies on a white dies and 3 stacked.

These delicate Italian cookies are made with a dough called pasta frolla, which is also used to make Italian Christmas Cookies and different types of Crostate.

Recipe Ingredients

Cookie Dough

Flour – all purpose flour at least 11% protein
Powdered sugar – also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar
Butter – softened
Vanilla – vanilla extract
Egg – large room temperature

Fig Filling Ingredients

Figs – dried figs
Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice or if you prefer you could use orange juice
Lemon zest – fresh lemon zest or orange zest
Sugar – granulated sugar or honey if preferred
Water – fig water

Where is the origin of Italian Fig Cookies?

Italian fig cookies also known as Cucidati or Buccellati originated in Sicily in the Middle Ages, thanks to a community from Lucca who moved to Palermo. Here it later underwent the Arab influence and became what we know today. The cookie also occupies a place of honor among the Sicilian confectionery delicacies.

Like any traditional dish, it is difficult to establish the fig cookie recipe exactly, since it is found in different versions in the various parts of the island and everyone claims the origin as their own.

There are, in fact, variants filled with dried figs, with almonds instead of dried figs, some fillings contain walnuts, citron jam, orange marmalade, apricot jam, golden raisins, pine nuts, bits of chocolate, orange zest, or quince preserve and even the yellow melon.

In Sicilian pastry shops and bakeries you will even find large buccellati, decorated with sprinkles, covered with icing or even dusted with powdered sugar.

How to make Fig Cookies

Start by making the cookie dough, in a food processor or large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder, add the butter, vanilla and egg.

Either pulse until the dough starts to come together or combine with a fork.

Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead to form a compact dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

While the dough is chilling make the fig filling, in a medium pot of boiling water cook the chopped figs until very tender. Remove with a slotted spoon into a blender or food processor.

Cooking the figs in a small pot and in the food processor.

Add the lemon juice, zest, sugar and a couple of tablespoons of fig water. Blend until completely mashed, if needed add more fig water. Let the mixture cool before spreading on the dough.

Remove the cookie dough from the fridge and roll into a rectangle, cut into 2 strips.

The cookie dough rolled into a rectangle and cut in half.

Spread the filling evenly about a half inch from the edge of each strip, fold the strip of dough over the filling, seal the seams with wet fingers.

The filling placed on the dough and fold over.

Cut eight cookies from each strip, place the cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

The cookies cut on a parchment paper cookie sheet.

While the oven is pre-heating refrigerate the cookies. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes on the pan then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

If you wish you could brush the cookies with milk and sprinkle with a little Demerara sugar before baking or some people like to dust the cookies with powdered/confectioners’ sugar before serving.

What are the best figs to use

You could use either a dried Calimyrna figs, they are a sweet fig which when fresh are a light green color, when dried they become a golden amber color.

Or Mission Figs, they have a deep purple skin when fresh and becomes almost black when dried. They are a bit sweeter and smaller than Calimyrna figs.

Figs can help promote a healthy digestion, they may also help in decreasing the risk of heart disease, and can help you manage your blood sugar levels.

Recipe Tips

Be sure to use a flour with at least 11% protein, this will help the cookies from spreading.
Be sure to chill the dough, this will also help with spreading and flavor of the cookie.
Use a good quality butter, apparently in the past year store brand butter quality is not what it used to be. Less fat could mean a drier cookie dough and a not so tasty cookie.

Can the recipe be made in advance?

The cookie dough can be made in advance and refrigerated, it will last for up to 3 days in the fridge. It’s best not to chill the filled logs because the moisture from the filling can make the dough wet.

Cookies on a white plate with two on the board.

What substitutions can I make in the fig cookie recipe?

If you wish you could add some finely chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts to the filling, I would suggest about a quarter cup. Instead of fig water you could add some rum or a combination of the two. Instead of lemon you could use an orange. You could add a simple powdered sugar glaze to the cookie after they are completely cooled.

How to store the cookies

Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container, they can be stored at room temperature in a cool area for up to 3-4 days. If stored in the fridge they will last up to 6 days.

How to freeze the fig cookies

Freeze the completely cooled cookies in a freezer bag or container, with parchment paper between the layers. They will keep for up to three months in the freezer.

If you are fig lover like us then I hope you enjoy these Italian Fig Cookies and let me know what you think! Enjoy.

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