Name: Italian Fig Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 60
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 2 cups shortening; 3 cups white sugar; 6 large eggs; 8 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 7 teaspoons baking powder; 2 tablespoons vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed; 4 pounds dried figs, stems removed; 1 pound raisins; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 0.5 cup white sugar, for sprinkling; 1 whole orange, with peel, quartered; 1 small apple, cored and quartered; 1.5 cups chopped pecans; 1 cup water (optional)

Embark on a culinary journey with these timeless Italian Fig Cookies, a delightful treat that perfectly balances a soft, enriched dough with a sweet, spiced fig filling. Ideal for festive occasions or a comforting accompaniment to your daily coffee, these cookies are sure to become a cherished tradition in your own home.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

To make the dough: In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and salt. (2 minutes)

03

Step

Gradually add the flour and baking powder, mixing by hand until a dough forms. (5 minutes)

04

Step

Knead the dough until smooth and workable, adding milk as needed to achieve a soft, pliable consistency. (5-10 minutes)

05

Step

Cover the dough and let it rest while you prepare the filling. (30 minutes)

06

Step

To make the filling: In a food processor, combine the figs, raisins, orange, and apple. (2 minutes)

07

Step

Pulse until finely ground. (3-5 minutes)

08

Step

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the cinnamon and chopped pecans. (2 minutes)

09

Step

If the filling is too dry, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a spreadable consistency. (2 minutes)

10

Step

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

11

Step

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. (3 minutes)

12

Step

Cut into long strips. (2 minutes)

13

Step

Spoon a line of fig mixture down the center of each strip. (5 minutes)

14

Step

Fold the dough over the filling, sealing it completely. Trim to desired length, using a diagonal cut. (5 minutes)

15

Step

Make small diagonal slits in the sides of the cookies. (3 minutes)

16

Step

Arrange the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet.

17

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are golden brown. (10-15 minutes)

18

Step

Cool on the cookie sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. (10 minutes)

19

Step

Sprinkle with additional sugar.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.5/ 5 ( 38 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (6)

Weston Bednar
May 10, 2025
These cookies are amazing! They taste just like my grandmother's.
Candice Kling
Mar 28, 2025
The filling is so flavorful and the dough is perfectly soft.
Wanda Schuster
Mar 13, 2025
I added a little orange zest to the dough and it gave it a wonderful aroma.
Faye Bernier
Feb 1, 2025
My family loved these! They were gone in a day.
Mafalda Lueilwitz
Sep 17, 2024
The recipe was easy to follow and the cookies turned out great.
Gerard Murphy
Apr 26, 2024
I've made these cookies for Christmas for years now, and they're always a hit.

Italian Fig Cookies