Italian Fig Cookies

Name: Italian Fig Cookies
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 9 dozen
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 3/4 c all-purpose flour; 1 Tbsp baking powder; 1 1/2 c powdered sugar; 1/4 tsp salt; 6 Tbsp butter, cold & cubed; 2 eggs; 2 tsp vanilla; 1 Tbsp cold water; 12 oz dried figs; 1/4 c almonds; 3 Tbsp apricot preserves; 2 Tbsp orange juice; 1 c powdered sugar (for glaze); 2 Tbsp milk or water; 1/2 tsp vanilla (for glaze)

By Angela LeMoine
@Angela_LeMoine

In our family, Christmas cookies are kind of a big deal. The famous ones are my grandparents Gigi struffoli (I have no clue where Gigi came from but its what we call them) and my mom's seven layers. These are a bit time consuming but they turn out delicious and beautiful. The cookie is bite-size, soft & tender and the filling slightly sweet. Finished off with a little glaze & nonpareil sprinkles!

(NOTE: The dough is sticky, you may need to add a little flour as you work it on your counter)

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These cookies will look adorable on your holiday cookie tray. Be great at a cookie swap too. The fig filling alone is delicious. Sweet from the figs, nutty from the almonds and a hint of apricot. The cookie is not overly sweet, so paired together it's a great combination. I love that they're bite-sized. I didn't feel guilty when I tasted a few... or ten. The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Comments:

7 Comments

Serves:

9 dozen

Prep:

1 Hr

Cook:

15 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

2 3/4 c

all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp

baking powder
1 1/2 c

powdered sugar
1/4 tsp

salt
6 Tbsp

butter, cold & cubed
2

eggs
2 tsp

vanilla
1 Tbsp

cold water
12 oz

dried figs
1/4 c

almonds
3 Tbsp

apricot preserves
2 Tbsp

orange juice
1 c

powdered sugar (for glaze)
2 Tbsp

milk or water
1/2 tsp

vanilla (for glaze)
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How to Make Italian Fig Cookies

Step-by-Step

To a food processor, add flour, baking powder, powdered sugar and salt. Pulse until well combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides to be sure everything is worked in.
Add the butter in and mix until the butter resembles a small crumble in the dry ingredients. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, water, and vanilla. Add to the food processor and mix until just mostly combined.
Lightly flour your counter and turn the dough out. Work the dough together by hand until everything is combined. This is where you may need to sprinkle a little extra flour as you go. Form the dough into a ball and allow to rest for a few minutes.
While the dough is resting you can go ahead and make the filling. Into a clean food processor, add the almonds and figs. Pulse until roughly chopped. Add in the apricot preserves and orange juice and mix until finely chopped. It will resemble a thick fig jam.
Back to the dough. Cut the ball of dough into 6-8 pieces. Roll each piece into a smaller ball then lightly press down one small ball at a time on a floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a strip about 1- 1 1/2 inches wide and a 1/4 inch thick.
Line the center with a bit of the filling.
Fold each side of the dough overtop the filling and gently press the dough together to seal it. Gently roll into a smooth log. Cut into bite size cookies.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Repeat with all the dough. Place the cookies onto a parchment lined baking sheet. They don't grow so you can put them pretty close together.
Bake for 14 mins or until just lightly golden. Cool completely.
To make the glaze mix together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
Once the cookies are cooled, go ahead and put them all onto a large cookie sheet so the cookies are touching. Working in small sections because the glaze dries quickly, drizzle the glaze over each cookie and sprinkle with those fun nonpareils. Pop into a fridge for 10 minutes to harden completely.