December 22, 2010 by Marie 36 Comments
Ok just one more cookie! At the last minute I caved in and made some Cucidati, I wasn’t going to make them at all this year but I was slightly coerced by my brother-in-law and husband who were giving me a guilt trip.
Cucidati are traditional Italian fig cookies very popular at Christmas time consisting of a tender dough that wraps around a thick and flavorful filling of figs, raisins, almonds, orange peel and a few other things that are laced with brandy and warm spices.
On a cold winter day my house quickly warmed up with the scent of cucidati baking in the oven. I don’t know what I was thinking, it just wouldn’t be the same without a few of these gracing our table!
In the end I made two people very very happy that day, and isn’t that the
real reason why we cook anyway?
Here’s my favorite recipe.
I want to take this time to wish each and everyone of you a most delicious holiday filled with lots of love and happiness!
From my kitchen to yours,
Marie
36 Comments Filed Under: Cookies, Seasonal Tagged: cucidati, italian fig cookies
Comments
squawmamasaysDecember 29, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Yummo!!! Merry Christmas to you & your beautiful family… I have been gone from the blogging world for a while & I am trying very hard to get back on the bloggin track… I have missed my blogland friends! Have a Very Happy New Year!!!
{{{HUGS}}}
DonnaReply
- Vickysays
December 29, 2010 at 1:07 am
Always looking for a new dessert idea. These looks fantastic! Thanks and happy holidays!
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December 28, 2010 at 8:52 pm
These are my husband’s favorite cookies, Marie! It would not be Christmas without them 🙂
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! Luckily the blizard didn’t hit NYC until the day after and we had a nice day with family.
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- Lori Lynnsays
December 26, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Hi Marie – wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holidays. Your cookies look awesome, what’s new there?
LLReply
- Food Lover Kathysays
December 26, 2010 at 3:30 pm
My grandmother made these every Christmas, and no one in our family has made them since she passed away years ago. Thanks for sharing yours.
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December 26, 2010 at 10:20 am
Ellen, I’m so happy everything worked out for you! Yes the dough comes out perfect dosen’t it? Thanks for letting me know, I’m always appreciative on your results.
Hope you had a wonderful X-mas!
MarieReply
- Ellensays
December 26, 2010 at 8:54 am
I made these last night, I think they are my new xmas tradition! Really. I made the dough and the filling the day before as you suggested. This really did cut down on time, and I think it helps with the overall flavor. I followed both recipes, your suggestions and the posted recipe and I did add bittesweet chocolate. Drizzled the icing, lightly, which I added orange extract to as well. The flavors really mellowed by this morning. I also made them as X shaped per the posted recipe instructions, and it was so, so easy. This dough is so easy to work with, and I’m terrible with doughs in general as I can’t make bread to save my life. Just amazing and so fun! Thank you again!!
- EliFlasays
December 25, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Your “cucciddati” are perfect,….you know in this period in Sicily every family get theirs “cucciddati” family recipe….I wish you a very merry Christmas… hugs e buon Natale, Flavia
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December 24, 2010 at 8:23 pm
As usual, these look absolutely delicious, Marie! Wishing you a wonderfully happy and loving Christmas with your family. Happy holidays to you all.
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- Terrisays
December 24, 2010 at 11:00 am
Merry Christmas Marie to you and your family! Thanks for sharing yourself through your wonderful recipes. My favorites so far? Fig and Pistachio Biscotti (a HUGE hit last Christmas). The Baked Parmesan Onions were to die for (I’ll post my results after the holidays). And, of course, Timpano. Can’t wait to give some others a try.
Happy Holidays, Terri
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- Ellensays
December 24, 2010 at 9:05 am
I’ve been watching your blog for a while and have enjoyed making a few of the recipes so far…And, it was so fun to see that you were making these cookies as a last-minute idea. I am planning to do the same, as I found your entry from a few years ago. Love figs and these just look so fun! Eventhough I have more sweets, and the left-overs from my holiday baking than I need in my freezer (I do 11 kinds of cookies and give out tins/plates to 30 folks), I just had to try these. At least I know I’m thinking like a “real cook” like you are. Thanks for sharing your love of cooking, and happy holidays from California!
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- Claudiasays
December 24, 2010 at 7:07 am
I think these will get made tomorrow or the day after. Just thinking of them makesme young! There are 12 days of Christmas, correct? Merry Christmas, Marie to you and yours. And I cook for the same reasons you do. That’s why it’s not a chore.
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- casalbasays
December 24, 2010 at 6:08 am
And a Very Happy Christmas to you too. Thanks for all the lovely recipes, photos and inspiration. With love, Sally.
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- Simonasays
December 24, 2010 at 12:29 am
Happy Holidays to you.
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December 24, 2010 at 12:19 am
Those are a real labor of love. They look just like the ones my mother used to make.
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- tasteofbeirutsays
December 23, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I am on the verge of making fig-preserves cookies too!These cucidatis look wonderful! Happy holidays to you and your family!
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- FOODaloguesays
December 23, 2010 at 4:04 pm
At first I thought these were anisette cookies because of the icing. I love fig cookies and haven’t had them in a while.
Thanks for all the wonderful posts this years. I love your blog. Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family in 2011.
Joan
See AlsoClassic Bisquick™ Peach CobblerReply
- Barbara GFsays
December 23, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Oh, one of these years, (not this one, unfortunately), I will make your cucidati, Marie! So many cookies, so little time …
A most blessed and healthful, happy holiday season to you and your family, Marie. Buon Natale! And Buon Anno!Reply
- Joannesays
December 23, 2010 at 1:50 pm
These are beautiful! I wanted to make them this year but ran out of time. bookmarked!
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- Jennifurlasays
December 23, 2010 at 11:20 am
Merry Christmas, this would be certainly welcomed on my plate.
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- The Food Huntersays
December 23, 2010 at 10:46 am
Oh I haven’t had these in years. My grandma always made them. Not sure now why I’ve never tried…putting them on my list for next Christmas.
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- Anonymoussays
December 23, 2010 at 8:40 am
Oh Marie! What a wonderful post! Your cookies look delicious! Merry Christmas girlfriend 🙂 xox
MaryannReply
- Cathysays
December 23, 2010 at 8:24 am
My mother used to make something similar with a date filling. Delicious!
Merry Christmas, Marie. It’s always such a treat to come for a visit.
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December 23, 2010 at 7:29 am
Marie, I found your blog earlier this year and enjoy your recipes and posts so much. Cucidati are one of my favorites:) Merry Christmas!
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- Marinasays
December 23, 2010 at 6:27 am
These look delicious! I love your blog, it’s such a joy to read!
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- Mister Meatballsays
December 23, 2010 at 4:28 am
Actually, you made three people very happy!
For weeks now I have been looking at my mother’s recipe for cucidati, wanting to make them because I miss them so much. I never did summon the will, but a dear friend has offered to make them, if only I would provide her momma’s recipe.
I’ll do that today. And send a link to this post as inspiration.
Mille grazie.
Buon Natale.
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December 23, 2010 at 4:16 am
I’m making mine tonight! I have the pastry and filling ready, did those last night, tonight I’m going to finish them! Happy holidays to you and yours!
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- Fallonsays
December 23, 2010 at 3:34 am
I can see why they were begging you to bake these up. Sounds delicious. Sad to say I’ve never tried an Italian fig cookie before.
Merry Christmas!
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- a woman who issays
December 23, 2010 at 2:22 am
Oh I haven’t had these in years…can I be in your family?
Merry Christmas…yours is certainly going to be a delicious one =}
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December 23, 2010 at 1:30 am
Wow! Italian Fig Newtons! I’m so envious! I’ve baked zero Christmas cookies. Tomorrow!!!
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December 22, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Wow those look good – I looove figs! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you:)
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- Ciao Chow Lindasays
December 22, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Yes, that is indeed why we cook Marie. Here’s hoping you have a hundred more Christmases with your loved ones to eat your cucidati. (And you have my address too, right?)
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- Cynthiasays
December 22, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Merry Christmas to you and the family Marie.
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- Stacey Snackssays
December 22, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Speaking of guilt…..you have my address! I have tried your wonderful fig cookies. Yum.
Merry Christmas my friend.
xxooReply
- Katesays
December 22, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Happy Holidays to you! You have such wonderful recipes and thoughts to share. Thank you for the wonderful blog!!
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- Stephsays
December 22, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Merry Christmas!
I have followed you for years and you always inspire me to create in my own kitchen 🙂
Thanks for sharing with all of us!Reply
