Best 2 Italian Cucidati Recipes

CAROLINA CUCIDATI (SOUTHERN ITALIAN FRUIT COOKIES)

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and sugar until blended. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture until coarse and crumbly. Add in egg, vanilla extract and 1/2 cup buttermilk, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until blended and cookie dough is smooth.
• 2. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces, wrap each dough piece in plastic wrap, and place in freezer to chill for 30 minutes, or until dough is completely chilled.
• 3. Meanwhile, prepare filling. In a medium bowl, combine figs, dates, raisins, walnuts, sorghum and peach preserves, stirring until well combined; set aside.
• 4. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two large cookie sheet pans with large sheets of parchment paper. Lightly flour dust a work surface. Remove and working with one piece of chilled dough at a time. Roll the dough into a 12-inch even square. Cut dough into 2-x 3-inch rectangles each. Place a spoonful, about 1 rounded teaspoon filling, into the middle of each dough rectangle. Fold the short dough edges over to meet in the center and pinch to seal edges and sides. Repeat process until all cookies are made. Should yield about 4 dozen cookies. Place the prepared filled cookies each seam-side down, onto the prepared lined cookie sheet pans, leaving 1- to 1 1/2-inches apart.
• 5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are a pale golden brown. Place baked cookies onto a wire rack to cool 15 minutes, or until completely cooled.
• 6. Meanwhile, prepare icing . In a medium bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, almond extract and 2 tablespoons almond milk, stirring together until blended, gradually add remaining almond milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until icing reaches a spreading consistency. Drizzle or spread icing onto tops of each cookie. Let icing set over cookie at least 15 minutes before serving. Store cookies into a airtight container.

ITALIAN FIG COOKIES (CUCIDATI)

Steps:

• FILLING DIRECTIONS: Using the grinding attachment for a Kitchen Aid mixer, grind the figs, raisins, dates, orange rind, and hazlenuts. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Set aside. (may use clean hands to insure the ingredients are mixed well. PASTRY INSTRUCTIONS: Work the crisco into the flour and baking pd. till very fine. Warm 1 1/2 cups milk ...add 1 3/4 c + 2 TB sugar. Melt sugar in milk. Keep stirring. Add vanilla. Add slightly beaten eggs to milk mixture. Then mix into the flour mixture. WORKING IN BATCHES: Turn dough onto floured board and roll out 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into 4-5 inch strips. Spread a medium amount of filling down the center of the strip. Fold each edge over to cover the filling. Press edges together to seal filling in and turn seam side down. Slice on a slant about 2-3 inches each. Cut each end so cookies resemble an "x" or cut into other forms (many resemble the letter M). Put a few milticolored sprinkles between cuts making sure they adhere to the fig filling. Place on greased baking sheets 1 inch apart and bake till lightly browned (15-20 min.)Cool on wire racks. Optional Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice; mix into a smooth glaze. Glaze cookies. Because these cookies are time consuming, I have, at times, frozen any unused filling. It lasts for up to one year in the freezer. Then all you have to do is make the dough and you are ready to "roll". ENJOY