italian fig cookies
This recipe makes tons of cookies because that's the way the Italians do it! I make these for my husband (who is Italian) at Christmas. My filling has a little shortcut-instead of oranges and orange peel, etc. I use orange marmalade. It makes the filling sweet, tart and helps everything stick together.
prep time
45 Min
cook time
15 Min
method
Bake
yield
80 cookies
Ingredients
- DOUGH
- 4 cups unbleached white flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup plain shortening (not butter flavored)
- 1 - egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- FILLING
- 1 cup dried chopped figs
- 1 cup dried chopped dates
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade
- FROSTING
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- - colored sprinkles
How To Make italian fig cookies
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Step 1To make cookie dough: In an electric mixer bowl, add the Crisco, egg, vanilla and milk; mix on medium until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients gradually, mixing, until a ball forms. Cut into 4 portions and wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
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Step 2For the filling, while the dough refrigerates, place figs, dates, raisins and walnuts in a food processor and process until coarse. Transfer to a large bowl and add the honey, marmalade and cinnamon, mix well and set aside, covered, while dough refrigerates
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Step 3Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
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Step 4To make the cookies, take 1/4 of the dough and roll it it powdered sugar to a 12x12" square; cut into 2x3" rectangles. Fill each with 1 t. of filling and wrap dough around it, leaving both ends open. Make a couple of small diagonal slits on top of each cookie. (You can also fill a long portion first, then cut into small cookies)
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Step 5Spray a baking sheet lightly and bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes, or until barely golden on top. Remove to cooling rack. When still warm but not hot, top with icing and sprinkles. Each 1/4 portion of dough makes 20 cookies.
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Step 6For the icing, mix cup powdered sugar with some fresh lemon juice-don't make too thin, but spoon on top of warm cookies, and it will spread itself. I start with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 T. lemon juice. Sometimes I just add milk instead of lemon, depending on who I'm making them for. It should be the consistency of frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles. (You may have to make double this recipe if you like a lot of icing on yours, like we do) You don't really have to measure, just make it look like this:
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Step 7These can dry and be stored in an airtight container for a couple of weeks! Enjoy!
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
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