Cucidati II is a delicious, traditional Italian cookie that takes the shape of a crescent moon. This sweet treat is often filled with a variety of fillings, including dried fruits, nuts, candied orange peel, and chocolate chips. Originating in the Apulia region of Italy, cucidati are typically made during the Christmas season, but can be enjoyed year-round. The unique flavors and textures of these cookies make them a popular choice for both special occasions and everyday snacking.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
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.
CUCIDATI II
This takes some time to prepare, but is well worth the work. I looked years for this recipe for my father-in-law. After many tries, I found the one that reminded him of his grandmother's Christmas cookies.
Provided by BIGTIME
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h30m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Grind the figs, raisins, orange zest and walnuts in a food processor, blender or food grinder. If the mixture is too thick, a couple of tablespoons of water can be added. Gradually blend in the honey, cinnamon, chocolate chips and orange marmalade. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the eggs, milk and vanilla until the mixture can be gathered into a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips that are 4 inches wide. Spread filling onto one half of each strip lengthwise. Fold the dough over to cover and seal the edges by pressing on them with the tines of a fork. Slice the filled strips crosswise at an angle about every inch or so. This will make diamond shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. Glaze with your favorite confectioners' glaze and top with sprinkles for added festivity.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Cholesterol 7.3 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 27.9 mg, Sugar 16.7 g
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
CUCIDATI II
This takes some time to prepare, but is well worth the work. I looked years for this recipe for my father-in-law. After many tries, I found the one that reminded him of his grandmother's Christmas cookies.
Provided by Patti-Bigtime
Categories Italian Cookies
Time 1h30m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Grind the figs, raisins, orange zest and walnuts in a food processor, blender or food grinder. If the mixture is too thick, a couple of tablespoons of water can be added. Gradually blend in the honey, cinnamon, chocolate chips and orange marmalade. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the eggs, milk and vanilla until the mixture can be gathered into a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips that are 4 inches wide. Spread filling onto one half of each strip lengthwise. Fold the dough over to cover and seal the edges by pressing on them with the tines of a fork. Slice the filled strips crosswise at an angle about every inch or so. This will make diamond shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. Glaze with your favorite confectioners' glaze and top with sprinkles for added festivity.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Cholesterol 7.3 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 27.9 mg, Sugar 16.7 g
CUCIDATI II
This takes some time to prepare, but is well worth the work. I looked years for this recipe for my father-in-law. After many tries, I found the one that reminded him of his grandmother's Christmas cookies.
Provided by BIGTIME
Categories Italian Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Grind the figs, raisins, orange zest and walnuts in a food processor, blender or food grinder. If the mixture is too thick, a couple of tablespoons of water can be added. Gradually blend in the honey, cinnamon, chocolate chips and orange marmalade. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the eggs, milk and vanilla until the mixture can be gathered into a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips that are 4 inches wide. Spread filling onto one half of each strip lengthwise. Fold the dough over to cover and seal the edges by pressing on them with the tines of a fork. Slice the filled strips crosswise at an angle about every inch or so. This will make diamond shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. Glaze with your favorite confectioners' glaze and top with sprinkles for added festivity.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Cholesterol 7.3 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 27.9 mg, Sugar 16.7 g
CUCIDATI II
This takes some time to prepare, but is well worth the work. I looked years for this recipe for my father-in-law. After many tries, I found the one that reminded him of his grandmother's Christmas cookies.
Provided by BIGTIME
Categories Italian Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Grind the figs, raisins, orange zest and walnuts in a food processor, blender or food grinder. If the mixture is too thick, a couple of tablespoons of water can be added. Gradually blend in the honey, cinnamon, chocolate chips and orange marmalade. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the eggs, milk and vanilla until the mixture can be gathered into a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips that are 4 inches wide. Spread filling onto one half of each strip lengthwise. Fold the dough over to cover and seal the edges by pressing on them with the tines of a fork. Slice the filled strips crosswise at an angle about every inch or so. This will make diamond shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. Glaze with your favorite confectioners' glaze and top with sprinkles for added festivity.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Cholesterol 7.3 mg, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 27.9 mg, Sugar 16.7 g
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste of your cuccidati. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps to develop the flavor and makes it easier to work with.
- Don't Overwork the Dough: Overworking the dough will make it tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife will help you create clean, even cuts in the dough.
- Bake the Cuccidati Until Golden Brown: The cuccidati should be baked until they are golden brown on top. This will ensure that they are cooked through.
- Let the Cuccidati Cool Completely: Let the cuccidati cool completely before filling them. This will help to prevent the filling from leaking out.
Conclusion:
Cuccidati are a delicious and festive Italian cookie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their rich flavor and unique shape, they are sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give cuccidati a try.
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