In the realm of Italian pastries, few treats are as enticing as cucidati. These delectable cookie rolls, originating from the captivating region of Puglia, have captivated taste buds for centuries. They are meticulously handcrafted with a rich, buttery dough, enveloping a heart of sweet, succulent fillings. Indulge in the traditional version, bursting with candied orange, citrus zest, almonds, and plump raisins, or embark on a culinary adventure with innovative variations featuring chocolate, pistachio, and cherry fillings. With this comprehensive guide, you'll master the art of crafting these delectable treats in your own kitchen, impressing friends and family with your culinary prowess.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CUCCIDATI
The compliments make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. It's the best recipe I've found! -Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 40m
Yield about 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Place the first 7 ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. Set aside., In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough into 4 portions; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour., Roll out each portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper into a 16-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Spread 1 cup filling lengthwise down the center of each. Starting at a long side, fold dough over filling; fold the other side over the top. Pinch seams and edges to seal. Cut each rectangle diagonally into 1-in. strips. Place seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheets. , Bake at 400° for 10-14 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over cookies. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 132 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 67mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
ITALIAN FIG COOKIES (CUCCIDATI)
Finally nailed an old family recipe! Traditionally served at Christmas time, these Italian cuccidati are fig-stuffed cookies-think fancy, gourmet, adult-version of a fig newton! A flavorful fig and date filling is wrapped in a soft, sweet dough, then baked and dipped in festive frosting and decorated with sprinkles. Need to send cookies through the mail? These are perfect for gifting! My favorite way to enjoy these cookies is for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, freeze un-iced cookies for up to 3 months and ice just before serving.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Italian Cookies
Time 9h45m
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Prepare filling: Working in two batches with ½ of the figs and ½ of the dates at a time, pulse dried fruit in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a bowl.
- Use a vegetable peeler to peel orange zest into the empty food processer. Juice the orange until you have 3 tablespoons juice; add it to the food processor. Add raisins, pecans, honey, brandy, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg and process until finely mixed.
- Add fig-date mixture and process until well combined, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to reach a thick consistency. Refrigerate filling for 8 hours to overnight.
- Prepare dough: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor and process for 5 seconds to combine. Add butter and shortening and pulse until crumbly. Add milk, egg, vanilla, and almond extract and process until a dough forms.
- Turn dough onto a well-floured surface and knead until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and cut into 4 pieces. Roll one piece into a 4x12-inch rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Trim off any excess to form straight edges and save to make more cookies.
- Place about ¼ of the filling in a 1-inch log shape down the rectangle, just to the right of the center line. Dampen the edges of the dough with water and fold the right edge over the filling. Continue rolling the dough toward the left edge, then rock back and forth gently to stretch and seal the edges. Cut the log into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Make 2 or 3 slits in the top of each cookie to allow steam to escape. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden on the bottom and cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Repeat to form, cut, and bake remaining cookies.
- Prepare icing by whisking powdered sugar and milk together in a bowl until smooth. Divide icing into thirds in 3 small bowls. Color one bowl with red food coloring to make pink icing, color another bowl with green food coloring to make green icing, and leave the remaining icing white.
- Dip each cookie into a different color icing and allow excess to drip off. Place iced cookies on parchment paper and decorate lightly with sprinkles. Allow to dry for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.4 g, Cholesterol 9.3 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 65.9 mg
CUCIDATI (FRUIT-AND-CHOCOLATE-FILLED COOKIE ROLLS)
Make and share this Cucidati (Fruit-and-Chocolate-filled Cookie Rolls) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ellie_
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 36 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For Filling: Coarsely chop chocolate in processor or food grinder.
- Add all dried fruit and orange peel and chop finely.
- Blend in honey and spices.
- Refrigerate in airtight container 2 hours (can be stored up to 2 weeks).
- For pastry: Cream butter and sugar with electric mixer.
- Beat in egg and lemon peel.
- Mix in flour and baking powder until smooth dough forms.
- Wrap with plastic.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Divide pastry and filling into thirds.
- Roll one portion of pastry out on lightly floured surface to 3 x 13-inch strip.
- Trim edges.
- Form one portion of filling into 13-inch rope.
- Arrange on top of pastry 1 inch from long edge.
- Fold far edge of pastry over filling.
- Brush with water and fold up near edge to enclose filing.
- Pinch edges to seal.
- Cut pastry diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
- Arrange seam side down on ungreased baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
- Repeat with remaining dough.
- Bake until cookies are golden, about 14 minutes.
- Cool completely on racks.
- Store cookies in airtight container.
- Glaceed Orange Peel: Score oranges into quarters, remove peel with any white pith that clings to it.
- (Reserve oranges for another use.) Cut peel into 1/8 inch wide strips.
- Boil with 6 cups water in heavy large saucepan 10 minutes.
- Drain.
- Repeat with 6 cups fresh water.
- Drain well.
- Combine 1 1/4 cups water, sugar and honey in same saucepan.
- Heat over low heat, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat and bring to a boil.
- Mix in peel.
- Boil gently until peel is tender and syrup in reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring frequently, about 40 minutes.
- Cool in colander, stirring occasionally.
- Store in airtight container (can be refrigerated up to 2 weeks).
CUCCIDATI - ITALIAN FIG COOKIES
Shortbread pastry dough stuffed with soft, fragrant mix of dried figs, nuts, chocolate, candied fruit and a hint of cinnamon is what makes cuccidati cookies unforgettable from the first bite.
Provided by Italian Recipe Book
Categories Cookies
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a large bowl of food processor add all dry ingredients: sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cold butter cut in cubes. Process until you get a crumbly dough without big lumps.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract. Process again until dough starts to come together.
- The whole process can be done with dough blender which is really handy.
- Transfer the dough onto a work surface and shape it quickly with your hands forming a smooth ball. Add some milk if the dough doesn't come together.
- Cover with a plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
- You can also make the dough the night before and keep it in the fridge. Make sure to take it out at least 2 hours before making cooking, otherwise it'll be too hard to roll.
- Steep dried figs in hot water for about 30 minutes. Take them out on a paper towel or linen towel and pat-dry to remove excess liquid.
- In a food processor add figs, candied fruit and Marsala wine. Process until you get a nice paste.
- In a food processor pulse nuts and dark chocolate. Or you can roughly chop them with a sharp knife. Set aside.
- In a big bowl mix together fig paste, chopped nuts with chocolate, raisins and cinnamon.
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
- Cut off a piece of the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to approx. ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick. Cut out a rectangular shape and save trimmed edges.
- Place fig filling lengthwise closer to one edge of the rectangle and fold the dough over to the other side brushing with some water the very end of the dough before closing it. This helps to seal the seam.
- Place formed log seam side down and using a pastry cutter or a sharp floured knife cut it into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cookies.
- Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet line with parchment paper or a silicone mat about ½ inch apart from each other.
- Bake in preheated to 350F (175C) oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges.
- Let cool.
- Repeat with the remaining dough (including trimmed dough leftovers) and fig filling.
- Beat egg white until foamy, add a pinch of salt and lemon juice.
- Continue to beat, slowly adding confectioners sugar. Increase speed to high and beat for another few minutes until soft peaks form.
- Once cookies are chilled to room temperature, dip them in the icing and top with color sprinkles.
- Let dry for a few hours before packing.
- If it's too cold or humid inside you can turn on the oven and heat to 85F (30C) and let your cookies dry in the oven for 20-60 minutes, checking on them occasionally.
CUCIDATI (ITALIAN FIG COOKIES)
This is my favorite Cucidati recipe!!! These cookies are a little time consuming, but well worth the effort! It wouldn't be Christmas in our house without them. I make them every year, often doubling the recipe! I can't remember how many cookies this recipe makes, and often they disappear before I can start counting! (Prep time includes chilling time)
Provided by Kim D.
Categories Dessert
Time 2h15m
Yield 36 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For cookie dough, sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
- Add sugar and stir well.
- Cut in the shortening with a fork or pastry blender and work the mixture until it looks like corn meal.
- In a bowl, beat egg, vanilla and milk together.
- Add egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes until well blended; dough will be soft.
- (The original recipe says to knead the mixture for 5 minutes on a floured surface, but I find my Kitchen-Aid works great for this step!) Divide the dough into four pieces and wrap each piece with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate dough for 45 minutes.
- To make the filling, grind figs, dates and raisins in a food processor until coarse.
- (If you don't have a food processor, you can chop by hand until coarse) Place chopped figs, dates and raisins in a bowl.
- Add remaining filling ingredients and mix well.
- (Mixture will be thick) Set aside mixture.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Work with one piece of dough at a time, leaving the other pieces of dough in the refrigerator until needed.
- On a floured surface (I often use confectioner's sugar for rolling my dough), roll the dough to a 12-inch square.
- Cut dough into 2X3-inch rectangles.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of filling onto each rectangle.
- Carefully fold the long edges over to meet in the center and pinch to seal seam.
- Place each cookie, seam side down, on a baking sheet, making sure you leave at least 1-2 inches between each cookie.
- Make 2 or 3 diagonal slits on the top of each cookie with a sharp knife.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until cookies are golden in color.
- Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
- For icing, place confectioner's sugar in a bowl.
- Add just a little water or milk, until you get a smooth consistency- but not runny!
- Ice the tops of each cookie and sprinkle with colored sprinkle.
- Let icing dry completely before stacking!
- Store in air-tight containers up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.3, Fat 7.2, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 5.6, Sodium 67.8, Carbohydrate 32.1, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 19.1, Protein 2.3
FLORENTINE ITALIAN MILK CHOCOLATE FILLED COOKIES
Make and share this Florentine Italian Milk Chocolate Filled Cookies recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Super San Mateo Che
Categories Drop Cookies
Time 35m
Yield 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Melt butter in medium saucepan.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in oats, sugar, flour, corn syrup, milk, vanilla and salt. Mix well.
- Cover cookie sheets with foil.
- Place small drops (about 1 teaspoon) of batter onto the foil. Leave about 3 inches between cookies. Using a spatula, flatten each drop and mold into a flat round shape using the sides of the spatula. Warning: these cookies will expand horizontally a lot! Make sure you leave plenty of room between cookies.
- Bake for approximately 7 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
- Let each sheet of cookies cool completely, approximately 15 minutes.
- Peel foil away from cookies.
- For the filling, combine chocolate, cream and vanilla and melt over a double boiler until completely blended.
- To assemble, spread a layer of chocolate on the flat, shiny side of each cookie. Pair the cookie with alternate cookie of equal size and press together. Allow assembled cookies to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 214, Fat 11.7, SaturatedFat 7, Cholesterol 20.7, Sodium 65.7, Carbohydrate 27.2, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 17.1, Protein 2.3
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor: premium flour, butter, and chocolate.
- Make sure the butter is cold when you start working with it. This will help to keep the cookies flaky.
- Roll out the dough thinly. This will help the cookies to cook evenly.
- Be careful not to overfill the cookies. Too much filling can make them difficult to roll and seal.
- If you don't have time to make the dough ahead of time, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- These cookies are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Cucidati are a delicious and unique Italian cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With a crispy outer shell and a sweet and flavorful filling, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Follow the tips above to make the best cucidati possible. Buon Appetito!
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