Italian fig cookies Cuccidati

 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. 

For the fig filling

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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