Fig Cookies

Total Time Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch
Yield About 2-1/2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Packed with a variety of dried fruits and pecans, our lemon-glazed fig cookies are like Fig Newtons, but even more interesting. These Italian cookies are traditionally served at Christmastime.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • FILLING:
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped raisins
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dates
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped dried figs
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cherries or cranberries
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • GLAZE:
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Divide dough in half; cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the first eight filling ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-6 minutes or until the fruit is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in pecans. Cool to room temperature.
  3. Roll out each portion of dough between two pieces of waxed paper into a 10x8-in. rectangle. Cut each into two 10x4-in. rectangles. Spread 1/2 cup filling down the center of each rectangle. Starting at a long side, fold dough over filling; fold other side over top. Pinch to seal seams and edges. Place seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  4. Bake at 375° for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut each rectangle diagonally into 1-in. strips. Remove to wire racks to cool. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over cookies.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 128 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 69mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

Family and friends know I have a fondness for Christmas cookies. Each year after Thanksgiving, they begin asking when the cookies will be ready!
Recipe Creator

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