Italian Fig Cookies
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This Italian Fig Cookies recipe is a nostalgic twist on the classic fig newton, bursting with the sweet, rich flavors of dried figs, raisins, and a hint of rum. It’s the perfect blend of chewy and crunchy textures, making these cookies an irresistible addition to your holiday baking list.
Discover the Magic of Italian Fig Cookies
Picture this: you’re cozied up by the fire on a chilly winter evening, a warm cup of cocoa in hand, and my Italian Fig Cookies right beside you, filling the air with their sweet, spiced aroma. Each bite is a comforting embrace of homey flavors – from the tender, buttery dough to the heartwarming blend of figs, cinnamon, and a hint of rum. It’s the perfect holiday treat to savor during those magical, snowy nights.
Why You’ll Love These Italian Fig Cookies
- Festive Flavors: These Italian Fig Cookies embody the essence of the holiday season with their delightful mix of sweet dried figs, warming cinnamon, and a splash of rum.
- Homemade Is Best: There’s nothing quite like the charm of homemade cookies. The combination of buttery dough and hearty fillings in these cookies offers a comforting, from-scratch experience that store-bought cookies simply can’t match.
- Versatile and Shareable: Not only are these cookies a wonderful treat for cozy winter evenings, but they’re also fantastic for sharing with friends and family.
- All-Purpose Flour: Simple all purpose flour is all you need.
- Sugar: Regular granulated is all you need, to add sweetness to our cookies. For a different flavor profile, try using brown sugar.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the cookies puff up.
- Salt: It enhances all the flavors in the dough.
- Butter: Adds richness and flakiness. For a dairy-free version, use margarine or a vegan butter substitute.
- Eggs: They bind the ingredients together and add moisture. Egg replacers or flax eggs can be used for a vegan alternative.
- Dried Figs: They’re the star, offering a sweet, chewy texture. Dates or dried apricots can be a good substitute.
- Pecans: These add a nutty crunch. Walnuts or almonds are great alternatives.
- Apricot Jam: It brings sweetness and a fruity tang. You can use orange marmalade or peach jam for a twist.
- Raisins: These add a burst of sweetness and texture.
- Orange Zest: Provides a citrusy aroma and flavor. Lemon zest works as well.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: They give a hint of chocolatey richness. Dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate can also be used.
- Rum: It infuses a unique flavor. For a non-alcoholic version, use rum extract or apple juice.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice. Nutmeg or allspice can be used for a different flavor profile.
You’re going to love how easy and fun it is to make these Italian Fig Cookies. They’re the perfect blend of sweet, chewy, and a bit of crunch, and we’ll have a blast putting them together. Let’s get started!
Just toss your flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the food processor. Give it a few pulses to mix everything up. Now, add in that cold butter and pulse it until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Next, crack those eggs in and pulse again until the dough forms a ball.
Once the dough forms a ball, let’s get it out onto a floured surface. Give it a gentle knead, just until it’s smooth. Shape it into a log and wrap it in plastic. We’ll chill this in the fridge while we make the filling.
Grab all those delicious ingredients – the figs, pecans, jam, raisins, orange zest, chocolate chips, rum, and cinnamon – and throw them into the food processor. Pulse it until everything’s nicely chopped and mixed.
Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready to go. We’ll cut the dough and filling into equal pieces. Roll each dough piece into a rectangle and the filling into a rope. Lay the filling on the dough, wrap it up, pinch the seams, and flatten it a bit. Then, just slice each log into smaller logs.
Place your cookies on a baking sheet and let’s get them in the oven. They only need about 15 minutes. Once they’re golden and your kitchen smells like heaven, take them out and let them cool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for making ahead. Just bake them as directed, let them cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to prep further in advance, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to serve.
What if I don’t have a food processor for the dough and filling?
No problem! You can make the dough using a pastry cutter or two forks to blend the butter into the dry ingredients. For the filling, finely chop the ingredients by hand or use a blender, just make sure not to over-process it. The goal is a chunky, textured filling, not a puree.
Can I use fresh figs instead of dried?
Dried figs are preferable because they offer a concentrated, sweet flavor and the right texture for the filling. Fresh figs have more moisture and might make the filling too runny. However, if you only have fresh figs, try roasting and then pureeing them to reduce moisture and concentrate the flavor.
How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?
The cookies are done when they are lightly golden around the edges and firm to the touch. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit soft right out of the oven. Keep an eye on them after about 12 minutes of baking to ensure they don’t over-brown.
Expert Tips
- Chill the Dough: For the best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Uniform Filling: To ensure consistent flavor in every bite, chop the filling ingredients finely and evenly. This helps distribute the flavors and textures throughout each cookie.
- Control the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet cookie, reduce the sugar in the dough slightly and choose a less sweet jam for the filling, like a reduced-sugar apricot jam.
- Keep an Eye on the Oven: Since oven temperatures can vary, start checking the cookies a few minutes before the recommended baking time. They should be just golden around the edges for the perfect texture.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and makes them easier to handle without breaking.
Storage
After the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well at room temperature for up to a week.
If you need to store them for longer, these cookies are freezer-friendly. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Discover More Delicious Holiday Cookies
- The Perfect Shortbread Cookies
- Amaretti Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Fudge Cookies
- Pineapple Coconut Crescents
- Sugar Cookies
- The Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
- Linzer Cookies
- Peppermint Bark Cookies
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Italian Fig Cookies
Video
Ingredients
Cookie dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (cold)
- 4 large eggs
The filling
- 12 ounces dried figs
- ½ cup pecans (chopped)
- ⅓ cup apricot jam
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup rum
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Begin by combining your dry ingredients. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pulse briefly to mix everything together.
- Add the cold butter to the food processor. Pulse about 20 times, or until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Follow with the eggs, pulsing until the dough forms a cohesive ball.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently until smooth. Shape the dough into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap. Set aside.
- Place the dried figs, pecans, apricot jam, golden raisins, orange zest, chocolate chips, rum, and cinnamon into the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and well combined.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide both the dough and the filling into 10 equal portions. Roll out each dough portion into a 3 by 12 inch rectangle.
- Shape each portion of the filling into a 12-inch rope or simply arrange it by hand along the center of each dough rectangle.
- Gently wrap the dough around the filling, pinching the ends to seal and create a seam. Flatten the roll slightly, either with a spatula or your hands.
- Cut each log into 6 equal pieces and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
- Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of water or milk.
- Filling Variation: Feel free to experiment with the filling. Adding a bit of lemon zest or swapping apricot jam for fig or raspberry jam can add a new flavor twist.
- Cookie Size: For consistent baking, try to keep your cookies the same size. Using a ruler or measuring tape when rolling out your dough can be a helpful guide.
- Baking Sheets: For best results, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on your baking sheets. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
- Cooling Time: Don’t skip the cooling step! Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes helps them set properly before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decoration Options: For a festive touch, drizzle cooled cookies with a simple icing, sprinkles or dust them with powdered sugar just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Enjoy!
