TODAY Food Club

This is one of the most delightful and delicious Sicilian holiday treats called Cucidati.

Italian Fig Bars

Ingredients

• 2 eggs (dough)
• 1 cup sugar (dough)
• ½ lb shortening (dough)
• 6 cups flour (dough)
• ¼ cup baking powder (dough)
• ½ teaspoon salt (dough)
• 1 cup of milk (dough)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla (dough)
• 1 (11 oz) package of dates (filling)
• ½ box raisins (filling)
• 1 string of dried figs or 2 packages (7 oz each) figs (filling)
• 1 small can of frozen orange juice concentrate, do not dilute (filling)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (filling)
• ½ tablespoon ground cloves (filling)
• ½ cup honey (filling)
• 1 cup strawberry preserves (filling)
• 1 shot whiskey (filling)
• 1 ½ cup chopped walnuts (filling)
• 2 cups powdered sugar (icing)
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream, slightly more if needed (icing)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (icing)

Preparation

1. Mix eggs, shortening and sugar in mixer. Sift flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Add alternately to the first mixture along with milk and vanilla.
3. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours (It rolls out easier).
4. Prepare Filling (below).
5. Soak raisins and figs in warm water.
6. Drain, and add raisins, figs and dates in food old fashion grinder or food processor.
7. Add the remainder of ingredients and mix together.
8. Roll out dough as thick as piecrust.
9. Cut into 3-inch wide strips.
10. Put filling in center and fold over dough.
11. Cut into 1 ½ inch bars.
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
13. Mix together all of the icing ingredients and drizzle over fig cookie bars.
14. Recipe makes about 80 bars.

Recipe Tags

• Fall
• Italian
• Dessert