My aunt's Italian fig cookies aka Cuccidati
Keep in mind this recipe is for a large quantity.
Also this recipe was written down the last time I made them with my aunt.
I wrote the recipe down as she was translating it.
Make these Cuccidati cookies
Recipe
Mix wet ingredients and dry ingredients separate in large bowels.
FYI; sugar is considered wet ingredient since it melts into the mixture.
Dry ingredients
5 lbs. all purpose flour
12 tsp. baking powder
1 lb. Crisco
Using your hands mix the Crisco in with the flour mixture. Crumbling it with your hands. You are looking for a pastry flour type of crumbling consistency. Mixing in all the fat completely.
For the Crisco you may be able to use margarine but my aunt always used Crisco. If I made this personally I would try to use butter since it is healthier.
Set aside
Wet ingredients
5 cups sugar
12 eggs
4 tbs. lemon juice
4 tbs. vanilla extract
4 tbs. orange juice
grated orange zest
Wisk together the wet ingredients. Add more vanilla, orange and lemon juice if you think it needs more flavor.
Add it all together
Mix your wet ingredients in with your dry. Mixing well with your hands. Once it starts to stiffen up you can kneed a little on a board. Let sit, then you can shape your cookies.
Use a food processor and blend 2 lbs. of raw almonds, or walnuts into the consistency you desire for your filling.
Set aside
Then add 2 lbs. of dry figs into the processor and blend until smooth.
Process the figs and nuts together along with 1 cup of honey and juice of 1 lemon.
Blend until desired consistency.
Needs to be think but not too thick.
You want to be able to spread it somewhat on your dough.
Let me know how it turns out :)
From Joanne
Thank you!
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