Italian Fig Cookies

Emeril Lagasse

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Emeril's Christmas Cookies

Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 20 Reviews
Total Time:
9 hr 30 min
Prep
25 min
Inactive
8 hr 45 min
Cook
20 min
Yield:
4 dozen
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

Filling:

  • 2 cups dried figs, hard tips discarded
  • 1 1/2 cups dried dates, pitted
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup whole walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup orange marmalade
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For Dough:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
  • Colored sprinkles, for decorating

Directions

To make the filling, in a food processor, combine the figs, dates and raisins and process to finely chop. Place the mixture in a medium bowl, add remaining filling ingredients and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

To make the dough, in a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and whisk to combine. Add the butter and blend with your fingertips until most of mixture resembles coarse meal.

In a medium bowl, beat the egg, milk and vanilla together. Add to the dry mixture and stir to make a rough dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cut the dough into 4 pieces, cover, and refrigerate for 45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets.

On a lightly floured surface, one at a time, roll out each piece of dough into a 12-inch square. Cut the dough into 4 by 3-inch rectangles. Spoon 2 tablespoons of filling down the center of each rectangle. Fold the long sides of each rectangle inward to the center to enclose the filling; pinch the edges to seal. Turn the cookies seam-sides down and press gently to flatten the seams. With a floured knife, cut the logs crosswise into 1 1/2-inch-wide slices and arrange 1/2-inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush with egg wash and decorate with colored sprinkles. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Transfer to wire racks to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 20 reviews

  • on January 21, 2012

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    I have made these a multiple amount of times not just for XMAS but all the during the year.
    The dough is awesome and very versatile; I have filled these cookies with apricot jam and it was a winner at my home.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 30, 2010

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    these are very tasty and a huge hit when I make them for my work's holiday party.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on May 14, 2010

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    This Christmas cookie recepie has been passed down for generations by my great grandmother, grandmother and my mother. Now I make them with my family every year. The recepie is almost identical. The only difference is that we make cuts on the logs on each side and curl the dough up and sprinkle the logs with colored sprinkles. Wonderful cookie and a wonderful tradition for us.

    people found this review Helpful.
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